Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1851-04-04

ever heard her say that she had given a
cent TO the poor, in all my lile,' said
Clara.
| Nor had they. But, if the poor FAM
! lily she had that morning visited notwih.
standing the inclemency Of the weather,
could have spoken, they would have told
the cheerful fire burning on the hearth
of the table spread with good wholesome
lood--and of the warm comfortable
clothing upon their backs, all Of which
had been provided by her bounliful hand.
Could the poor man, whose infant child
had been snatched from the brink Of the
grave by the timely aid of a ply ysician,
sent by her benevolent heart, have borne
his testimony, he would not have pro-
nounced her mean and nlggardly. When
the family met at dinner, the subject OF
the theatre was again brought up.
Wont you take US, par asked both
the daughters at once. "3.b ~ ,..1.t.
II don't know; you've gone so much
lately, and don't think it's the best
place in the world for young girls
But this is to be for the poor Charles,
remarked their mother; and there is so
much suffering among them at this sea-
son of the year, that think We ough, TO
do all we can for them.' r
Give them the money at once, then,
chimed in Aunt Rachel. They will be
likely to receive just as much benef,
from it, ~ Ef
You'll take us though, won't you pal!
said Jane, not noticing the remark OF her
Aunt. aaa-
Il suppose I'll have to for peace sake,
replied the too indulgent father. But,
remember, it's the last time.' .
Peggy, the washerwoman's little girl,
is in the kitchen, ma'am,' said Betsey,
as she entered to remove the elo,h.-
She wants TO see YOU" r &C." s1
Tell her to come in here, then. Well
Peggy, what's the matter?' asked Mrs.
Danvers as the little girl entered the di-
ning-room. E@E ~ 3a"".- #
Mother says, would you please to let
her have some money? She's out OF
wood. and she has mt a cent in the house. )
your mothers in hurry; her month
is not up till next week. W. @s@
She knows that, ma am, and she
would not have sent, but we're all SO
cold Eanaa.- szt'aa
! Tell her she shall have it as soon as
her month is up. She should not have
made such bargain if she couldn't abide
by it, Isl" af# afa. H as. -sa3
The little girl stood still.
Anything more, Peggyr'
'Please ma'am let her have just a lit
lie. We were almost froze last night
did you hear what said?' -....'
Mrs. Danvers spoke angrily,-Peggy
turned quickly away. ..lvu
How provoking these people are, tho't
this philanthropic lady. Ii one owes
them lit,le money, there is no rest.
know their tricks too well; but they
won't gel anything out of me by such
doings. ..saa ....s.- -
As the little girl passed through the
hall to the kitchen, she was met by Aunt
Rachel. ..-. ...sH ..... .,.#
why, Peggy, child, what has brought
you out day like this!' she asked.
I'VE are out of wood, Miss Rachel,
and mother sent me 10 see if Mrs. Dam
vers would not lei her have some money;
but she can't till next week. And O, |
don't know what we shall do, for its so
cold.' ..t.- -a e- s.. s.. t..Fs
And the little girl shivered as she
spoke. s.sa IN.
Come into the kitchen, Peggy, and
warm yourself. There, take seat by
the fire. Have you had any dinner yet?
mo ma am
Betsy give the child something to eat;
she must De hungry
A good dishfull was soon set before
her which she devoured with an eager
ness that showed it had been long
while since she enjoyed such a treat.
Are those your best shoes, Peggy
said Miss Rachel, when the meal was
finished. 3 @
| Yes, Miss, but mother says if am
a good girl, she'll try ana get me new
pair for Christmas
Suppose were to give you new
pair now, would you like il!' A..
.Oh, yes, Miss, indeed would
Il
BY this time Betsy. whom Miss Ra-
chell had sent out as soon she had given
Peggy her dinner, had returned, bringing
with her nice warm pair Of stockings,
and pair of nice leather boots. They
proved to be a perfect fit. Peggy was
in raplures. In high spirits she started
off to show her mother what she had
received. The poor woman, although
thankful for Pcggy's good fortune, il we
may so term il, was sadly disappointed.
She had not a stick Of wood in the Eouse
and knew rot which way to turn to pro-
cure it. But short time after the little
girls return, her heart was cheered by
seeing cart, loaded with good oak, halt
before the door, which the carter said a
lady had ordered him to leave there. H
Mr.. Danvers and his family spent the
next evening at the theatre, but it so hap
pened that after all the expenses were
paid, very small amount remained for
The poor. Aunt Rachel did not go, il is
true, but if we could have peeped into
her room that same night, we might have
beheld this mean niggardly OLD maid,