The organ of the temperance reform. (Cincinnati, O. [Ohio]) 1852-1853, 1852-02-13

4
her hot breath upon her blue and benumbed
hands, and stamping her tiny feet in their thin
easements with all the force left in them, and
then big tears stood trembling in her large blue
eyes. for moment, and rolled slowly down her
purple cheeks, as if they would freeze to them.
She had left her mother in bed, sick, exhausted
and furnishing! What wonder that she cried
even those hot tears Ouly dropped upon the icy
pavement. They might as we'll fall there as
els where; the many human hearts that passed
her were full as icy and hardened.
She would have turned back to go home, but
she thought again of her poor mother, and went
on, though where to 60, she knew not. She
was to become street beggarl Where would
street beggars gOi What streets are laid out
and numbered for themi Surely, if not home,
then where should they gOf 1t was this thought
that brought those tears-that started those deep
and impTessble sobs that choked her infant at
terance.
A young boy-a bright. looking little fellow
-chanced to pass her as she walked and wept,
and stopped. He caught the glitter Of those
tears in the sunshine, and the sight smote his
angel heart. He knew not what want and suf-
fering were. He had never known them him
what real beggar was. He stopped suddenly
before Elsie, and asked her the cause Of those
tears. She could make no reply--her heart
was too full.
"Has anybody hurt you3" asked the feeling
little fellow.
"She shook her head negatively.
'Haye you lost your ways" he persisted.
"No," answered the child, quite audibly.
''What is the matter, then9" he asked.
My mother is poor and sick, and am cold
and hungry We have nothing to eat Our
room is quite cold, and there is no wood for us.
/ Oh, you do not know all--you cannot know
all"
But | gi3," replied the manly boy. Where
do you live4'
"Will you go with mes asked Elsie, her
face frightening.
" Yes, let me go with you, D." said he; " show
me the way"
Through street, lane, and alley, she guide
him. They reached the door of her howell
The cold bresths of the wind whistlcd in at tn
cracks and creVices and key hole before them
as if inviting them in.
They entered. sick woman feebly raised
her head from the pillow, and gave her sweet
smile
Elsie have you comet" she family asked.
6 Yes, mother" answered the child; .'and ]
have brought this boy with me. | do not know
who he is, but he said be wanted to come and
see where we lived. Did do wrong to bring
him, mother9''
No my child, " said the mother, " if be
knows how to pity you from his little heart;
but he cannot pity me yet>-he is not old
enough"
The bright faced, sunny hearted boy gszed
/ in astonishment on the mother and child. The
scene was new to him. He wondered if this
was what they called poverty. His eyes look
ed sadly upon the wasting mother, but they
1 glttsred with wonder when turned towards
Elsie. Suddenly, they filled with tears. The
want, the woe, the barrenness, the desolation
were all too much for him. He shuddered at
the cold, uncovered floor. He gazed mournful-
Iy into the empty fire place. His eyes wander.
ed wonderingly over the naked walls, looking
so uninvitingly and Cheerless. Putting his
hand into his pocket, he grasped the coin that
his mother had that very morning given him. and
/ drew it forth.
"YOu may have that, said he, holding it out
to the child.
ooh, you are too goodl You are too generous
/ fearl" broke in the mother, as if she ought
not to take it from him.
Mother will give me another if want, .
said he; at will do you great deal of good
and know | don't need it. Take il! Take III
you shall take i'll" and he was instantly gone
! 1t was gold coin of the value of five dollars
Mother and child wept together. Then they
talked Of the good boy whose heart had opened
for them on this New Years day. Then they
let their fances run aud grow wild and revel as
] they chose. They looked at the glistening
/ piece. There was bread and clothing, and ev-
cry othor comfort, in its depths. They contin-
ued to gsze upon it. Now they saw within its
rim pictures Of delight and joy; visions of long
rooms, all wreathed and decorated with ever
greens and flowers; visions of happy children
and smiling faces; sights Of merry sleigh rides,
and the glstening of bright runners over the
smooth worn snow. They listened; they heard
the mingled sounds Of merry voices, and the
Ginning music bells, the accents Of innocent
| tongues and the laugh Of gladstone hearts -
All, what aphilosopher's stone wa, that coin!-
How it turned everything first into gold, and
then into happinessl How it grouped around
them kind and cheerful friends, and filled their
ears with kind vOicesl How it garlanded all
hours Of that day with evergreens and full
blown rOses How it spread them laden ta-
bic, and crowded it with merry guestsl and
those guests, too, all satisfied and happy Oh,
what bright rays shone forth from that trifliug
coin Of goldl Could il have been as bright in
the child's or the mans dark pocketi No; else
it would before then burned its very way
through, and lent its radiance to others. Could
it have shone with such visions in. the rich mans
handsi No; else his avarice would have van
pushed at once, and his heart overflowed with
generosity No, no; it was only to such as the
widow and her child that II wore such shine,
and emitted such brilliant rays, and revealed
snch sweet and welcome visions. Only for
such as they.
That night returned this angel boy to the
bleak room, then filled with happiness, and
lighted with Joy; but he was not alone; his owl
mother was with him. Blessed boy he passed
the whole Of New Years day in making other
happy. And how much happier was be himself
How his little heart warmed and glowed to Sc
the child uncover the basket be had brOuVh