Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1852-03-11
MISCELLANY.
The Golden Coin !;
OR. THE LITTLE STREET BEcGAR.
ny GEoRGE c. MIR.

It Ras tie morning Of new year that
had just set ia, bright golden and beautiful.
The snow glittereG like jeweled raiments in
the cleudless sun ! The Ginning Of the sill
very sounds Of the bells struck joyfllly up.
on the listener in4 every street The air
was cold, though net piercing; bracing,
though not bitihgr-just cold enough, in
truth, to inf1se life pnd elasticity into every
one that moved
There was . little girl-a child of poverty,
walking the streets with the gay crowds
that swept past her Her little foot had
grown so numb, encased only in thin shoes,
and those b4dly worn, that she could but
with difficulty move one before the other
Her cheeks shook at every step she took,
and her lips looked truly purple Alas
poor Elsie Gray She was little beggar
just like the old year was the newborn
to her just like the last years wants,
and last years sufferings, were the wants
and suferinga of this The change of the
year brougheno change in her condition
with it, She wasapoor; her mother was a
widow apd an invalid and the child was a
poor hcggar
Tn the. old: and cherries room cleaned no
bright fire Of. anniversary No eyergreens,
no wreaths, 10 flowers save few old with
cred ones deeked its time stained walls
There was no sound of mcrrysvoiees within
the door, to say to the widow Gray "a
happy NeH year to you Mrs Gray
Heaven seemed to have walled her and
her famil7 il from the happiness that all
most every ether person enjoyed on New
Years dag Her room had no joyous ap-
pearance, no congratulations Were they
outcasts2 Had they outraged their claims
on the wide worlds charities Had they
voluntarily shut themselves out from the
sunlight Of the creatures always around
theml MOI "a shame take the world that
It must be ,8o~answered for them4
Little Elsie storped at times and breathed
her hot breath upon her blue and benumed
fingers; and stamped her tiny feet in their
easements with all the force left in them
and then big tears stood trembling~in~ her
large blue eyes for a moment and rolled
slowly down her 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 though those
hot tears dropped on the icy pavement
They might as well fall there as elsewhere
tAe many Human hearts that passed her
we're full as icy and hardened.
Sho would have turned back TO home, but
she thought again Of her. poor mother and
went on, though where to 60 she knew not.
She was to become street beggar. Where
would street beggars 60 What streets
are laid out and numbered for them -
Surely, if not home, then where should they
90 II was this thought that brought
those crytall tears--that started those deep
and irrepressibie sobs that choked her infant
utterance,
A young boy-a bright-looking little fell
low-chancsd to pass her, and she walked,
and wepts, and stopped. He caught the
| glitter of these tears in the sunshine, and
the sight stiIote his angel heart. He knew.
not what went and suffering were. Hehad
never known them himself--neTer once
heard of them-knew not even what real
beggar wah He stopped suddenly before
Elsie, and asked her the cause of those
tears. ShaScould make no reply-her heart
was too full.
@Has any body hurt you p asked the
feeling little fellow
I aHave you lost your way ~ he persisted
aNo,n answered the child quite audibly
sWhat if the matter then r. be asked
eMotheFtsis poor and sick, and am cold
and hungry We have nothing to eat
Oar room. is quite cold, and there is no
wood for rs. OH you do not know ali,
You caEno4know ALI
sBus L.lwill,p replied the manly bog !;
s'where doEon liye2'
aWill you 20 with me2 asked Elsie, her
face Frightening
Yes, let me 60 with you,n said he;
ssshow methe way
Through street, lane, and alley she guild
/ ed him They reached the door of the
hoFel. The cold brsaths Of the wind whis-
tied III ii the cracks and crevices, and key
hole befcse them, as if inviting them in
| They entssed A sick woman feebly raised
her bead: from the pillow, and gave her a
sweet smile. lElsie, have you comeao she
family sJid.
ayes, mother answered the child, s'and
I have brought this boy with me- do not
| know wt6 be Is, but he said he wanted to
/ come autf See where ne lived Did / do
wrong t. bring him mother7i
mo- my child, said the mother aif be
knows how to pity you from his little heart |;
but BE cannot pity me yet-he is not old e
nough.
The bright faced, jsunny-heart boy gazed