The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1852-07-14
THE LITTLE PAUPER.

8trl OF uve yehIS, Tue OHty tuOuInci ioi tho
silent heart beneath. Friendless, hopeless,
homeless. she had wept till she had no
more tears to shed, and now she stood
with her scanty clothing fluttering in the
wind, pressing her little hands tightly over
her heart as if to still its beating.
.'It's no use fretting." said the rough
man. as he stamped the last shovel full Of
earth over all the child had to love; "fret-
ting won't bring dead folks to life; pity you
hadn't got no ships cousins somewhere TO
take you; its tough world, this ere. !
guess I'lltake ye round to Mrs. Feiherbee's,
she's got power Of children and wants
hand to help her, so come along. If you
cry enough to float the ark it won't do you
no good Allie obeyed him mechan.
cally. turning her Head every few minutes
to take another, and yet another look
where her mother lay buried.
The morning sun shone in upon an un-
derground kitchen in the crowded city
Mrs. Fetherbee attired in gay colored
calico dress, with any quantity Of tinsel
jewelry, sat sewing some snowy cotton
lace on cheap pocket handkerchief. A
boy Of five years was disputing with little
girl of three, about an apple; from big
words they had come to hard blows; and
peace was finally declared at the price of
an orange apiece, and a stick of candy
each combatant putting in" for the biggest
Poor Allie. with pale cheeks and swollen
eyelids, was staggering up and down the
floor under the weight Of a mammoth baby,
who was amusing himself, pulling out at
intervals little handfuls Of hair.
..Quiet that child! can't ye?" said Mrs.
Fetherbee, in no very gentle tone. 81
don't wonder the darling is so cross to see
such solemn face. You must get little
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 curls dangling around; come
here and have 'em cut off; they don't look
proper for charity child" (and she CLAN
ced at the short stubby crops on the heads
of the little Fetherbee's.)
Allies lips quivered, as she said. "Mo-
ther used to love TO brush them smooth ev-
cry morning; she said they were like little
dead sisters; please DON'T" she said be-
seechingly.
"But | tell you do please to cut 'em. SO
there's an end of that" she said as the
several ringlets fell into a shining heap on
the kitchen floor; "and do for creation 8
sake, stop talking about dead folks and
now eat your breakfast ifyou want it; for
got that you had mt had any-there's some
the children left; if you're hungry it will
go down, and if you aint you can 60 with
out"
Poor Allie! The daintiest morsel would
not have "gone down." her eyes filled
with tears that wouldn't be forced back
and she sobbed ouI, 81 must cry IF you
beat me for tiny heart pains me SO
bad."
"H-i-t.y-T-i.t-y! what's all this?" said
broad faced, rosy milkman. 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 to Allie, and
what's the matter Of her?"
"Why, the long and short Of ii is, she's
poor pauper that we've taken in out o
charity, and she's crying at her good luck
that's ALL" said the lady with vexed toss
other head. "That's the way benevolenc'
is always rewarded; nothing on earth tc
do here. but to tend the baby. and amus'
the children, and run to the door, and wssl
the Dishes and dust the furniture, and It'd,
the kitchen, and 90 Of a few errands; un
grateful little baggage!"1
Jimmy's heart was as big as his farm
and that covered considerable ground
Glancing pitfully at the little weeper, h
said skjllfuly: "That child's going to b
sick. Mrs. Fetherbee. and then what ar
YOU going to do with herl Besides She
too young TO be of much use to you' You
better let me take her."
"Well, | should't wonder if you wa
half right" said the frightened woman
..She's been trouble enough already L
give her a quit claim"
"Will you 60 with me, little maid!
said Jimmy, with bright good nature
smile.
"If you please said Allie, laying he
little hand confidingly in his rough palm
"Sit up closer" said jamie, as he p,
one arm around her to steady her fragil
figure, as they ratified over the stony pave
ments. "We shall soon be out OF tn
smoky old city-consarn it! | alway
feel as if | was poisoned. every time com
into town-and then we'll see what swe
hayfelds. and new milk and clover bio
SONS, and kind hearts will do for you-yo
poor little plucked chicken! Where d
you come from, when you come to ll'
with that old Jezibel?'
"From my mothers grave said Ali
"Poor thing! poor tbing!" said Jimm
wiping away tear with his coat sleev
"Well. never mind. Iwish hadn't aske
yon. I'm always running my head ag
beam. Do you like to feed chicken