The Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1850-1852, 1852-04-15
TnE LsrrLx sraser sEccAR.
A CHARMING SKETCH.

that had JUS, set in, bright. golden and
beautiful Tie snow giaiered. like Jew.
elled raiment in the eloudlsss sun
The Ginning Of the s;lvsry sounds Of
the bella. struck joyfsIly upon the list.
enes IN every street. The air was cold,
Though not piercing, bracins, though
not bi'ing--just cold enough 10 ss,h, 10
infuss life and elasticity into every enc
that moved.
There was . little girl . child Of pov.
ssty, on thai besetiisl new years aorn.
Ing. walking ihs streets wiih the eay
csowds that swept past her. Her little
fest had grewa . nseA, eseased only
In dim skoes haSly worn, thai shs cssM
's'ss, sss 4:
shs took, end hsr Iips loskeS truly pur.
pie. Aias, Peos Elsie Grayl she wss
. bsgsas.
just like the old year, was the new
year 10 her. Just like the last yesrs
sufferings, were the wants and suffer
ings Of this. The change Of the year
brought no change in her condition with
it. She was poor, her mother was a
widow, and an invalid, and the child
was poor beggar.
Ia the old and cherries room CLEAN.
cd no brigh, fires Of anniversary. No
eyergrecns, no wreaih., no flowers, save
few old wiihercd ones decked the
time stained walls. There was no sound
Of merry voices, within the door, TO say
to the widow Gray, "A happy new year
to you, Mrs. Gray" Heaven seemed
TO have shut up her an her abode out
from happiness tina. was all the worlds
on 'ha, festal day of the year II had
provided to all appearances, nc joy, no
congratulations. no laughter, no gifts, no
flowers for them. Why. were they out
casts? Had they outraged their cluims
on the wide worlds charities Had
they voluntarily shut themselves out
from the sunligh, of the living creatures
around them! No, n shame take the
world a. it must be SO answered tor
them. Mrs. Gray Was poor.
Little Elsie stopped at times, and
brea,hed upon her blue and bcnumbed
fingers, and stamping her tiny feet in
their easements with all the force left
in them !; and then the big tears stood
in her large blue eyes for a moment,
and rolled slowly down her purple
cheeks, rs shey would freeze 10 them
She had lef, her brother in btd, sick /;
exhausted and fami-hing. What won-
der that she cried, even though her
tears only dropped upon the ICY pave
ment. As well fast there as elsewhere;
for the many human hearts that pass
ed her were full as icy and hardened.
She would have turned back TO go
home but thought again OF her poor
mother, and went on, though where to
90 she knew not. She was to become
street beggnr! Where do street beg
csrs 90? 1t is this thought which
brought those crysta! tears--tLat START
ed those deep and irrepressible sobs
that choked her infant utierance.
a young boy-a bright looking little
fellow Glanced to meet her as she
walked and wepi, and stopped. lie
saw the glitter "f those tears in The
sun.hine, and the sight smote his angel
hesrt lie knew no. what want and
suffering we're lie had never known
them himself never once heard Of
them-knew not even what a real beg
gar was. He stopped suddenly before
Elsie. and asked the cause of those
tears. She could make him no reply,
her heart was so full.
Has any ybody hurt you ? asked the
feeling little fellow.
She shook her head negatively.
Have you Lost your way" he per-
NO, answered the child quite audi
bly,.
What is the matter, then ? he ask
ed.
'Molher j, poor and sick, and am
cold and hungry. We have nothing to
eat. Our room is quite cold, and there
indeed. is no wood for US Oh, you
do not know ALL
But will,'repiied the manly boy
where do you live"
'Will you 60 with meT asked
Elsie, her face Frightening.
Yea let me 60 with you ? said he
show me the way
Through the s,rest. lane and alley
she guided him. They reached the
doey Of her howell The cold hrsash,
! Of wind whistl~d in st the cracks and
crevices and keyhols before them, - Il
inviting them in. They entered. A
sick woman feebly raised her heat
from the pillow and gave her . swee
emile. Elsie, have you comeP shs
family said.
Yes. mother answered the child
and ] have brought this boy with me
! don't know who he is but he said h'
wanted 10 coGs and SET where We lived
Did ! do wrong 10 bring him. mother !
No, my child said the mother. j
he knows how to pity you from his lii
tie heart, but he cAnno, pity me yet, h'
is na old enough
The bright faced, sunny hearted boy
CARED in aftonishment upon the nosheI
snd child. The scene was new 10 him
lie wondered il that was what the!
called poverty. His eyes looked sad
ly on the wasting mother. but they gilt
tered With wonder when turned TO
wards Elsie. Suddenly they 6lled viii
tenu The want. the woe, the barren