The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1852-05-27
THE LITTLE pAupER,

The day was gloomy and chill. At the
freshly opened grave stood little delicate
girl Of five years, the only mourner for the
silent heart beneath. Frendess, hope
less, homeless, she had wept till she had
no more tears TO shed, and now she stood
with her scanty clothing hut,ering in the
chill wind, pressing her little hands tight
Is over her heart as ifto still its beating.
'lt's no use freting.' said the rough man,
as he stamped the last shovel full Of earth
over all the child had left to love; 'freting
won't bring dead folks TO life; pity you
hadn't got no ships cousins somewheres to
take you; il's tough world, this ere J
tel! yc; don't see how ye're going to
weather it, Guess III take We round to
Mrs Felherbee's she's got power ofchild-
rem and wants hand to help her, so come
along. lfyou cry enough to float the ark
it won, do you no good Allie obeyed
him mechanically, turning her head every
few minutes TO take another, and yet anoth-
er look where her mother lay buried.
The morning sun shone in upon an un-
derground kitchen in the crowded city
Mrs. Fetherbee. attired in a gay colored
calico dress, with any quantity OF tinsel
jewelry, sat sewing some snowy cotton lace
IN cheap pocket handkerchief. A boy
Of five years was disputing with little
girl of three, about an apple; from big
words they had come 10 hard blows; and
peace was fina'y declared at the price Of
an orange apiece, and stick Of candy
each combatan, putting in for the big
gos'.
Poor Allie, with p,le cheeks and swollen
eye-lids. was stnegerir G Up and down The
floor under the weigh, OF mammoth baby.
who was amusing himself, pulling out at
intervals little handfuls Of her hair.
sQuic, that child! can't YEP said Mrs.
Fetherbee, in no very gentle tone. Il
don't wonder the darling is cross to see
such solemn face. You must get lit
tie life into you somehow, or you won't earn
the salt TO your porridge, here. There, !
declare, you've half put his eyes out with
those long cur's dangling round; come
here, and have 'cm cut off; they don't lock
proper for charity child;' (and she glanc-
ed at the short stubby crops on the heads
Of the little Fethcrbee's,)
Allies lip quivered, as she said, 'Mother
used to love to brush them smooth every
morning she said they we're like little dead
sisters; please don't, said she besceching
".
'But Itell you do please to cut 'em, SO
there's an end Of that said she, as the
several ringlets fell in a shining heap upon
The kitchen floor; 'and do for creations
sake, stop talking about dead folks, and
now cat your breakfast if you wan, il; J
forgo, you hadn't there's some Of the
children's left; if you're hungry it will GO
down, and il you ain't you can 60 without
Poor Allie! The dain,est morsel
wouldn't have gone down.; her eyes filled
with tears that wouldn't be forced back,
and she sobbed out, j must cry you bca,
me for it-my heart pains me so bad
'H-it-y-T-i.,-,! what's oil thisg said
broad faced, rosy mlkman, as he sat his
shining can down on the kitchen table;
what's all this, Mrs. Fetherbee? I'D as
lief eat pins and needles as hear child cry
Who is she, pointing at Allie, and what's
the matter of her?'
.Why, the long and short Of j, is, she's
poor pauper that we've taken in out OF
charity, and she's crying at her good luck,
that's ALL said the lady, with vexed toss
of her head. That is the way benevo-
lence is always rewarded; nothing on earth
to do here, bu, tend the baby, aud amnse
the children, and run to the door, and wash
the dishes, and dust the furniture, and tidy
the kitchen, md go of a few arrants; IN
grateful little baggager
Jemmy's heart was as big as his farm
land tha, covered considerable ground !,
pluncing pi,ituly at the little weeper, lie
said skillfully, Hhat child's going to be
sick, Mrs. Fe,herbec, and then what are
yon going to do with heri besides she's too
young 10 be Of much use to you; you'd bet
ter let me take her.
sWelI. | shouldn't wonder if you was
half right said The frightened woman
she's been trouble enough already; III
give her quit claim :.
will you go with me, little maid: said
Jenny with hrieh, good na,ured smile
III YOU please said Allie, laying her lit
lie hand confdingly in his rough palm,
'Sit up closer,' said Johnny, as he pa
one arm around her, to steady her iragu'