Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1852-1853, 1853-03-05
BETrER THAN DIAMONDS.

hoen rain and although the sun was then shining
brightly yet the long icicles hung from the caves
of the houses, and the wheels rumbled loudly as
they passed over tho frozen ground. There was
a clear bright look, and a cold bracing feeling IN
the air, and keen northwest wind, which quick
ened every STEP Just then little child came run
ming along-a poor, ill., clad child; her clothes were
scant and threadbare; she had no cloak, and no
shawl and her little bare feet looked red and sut-
ferinp. She could not have been more than eight
years old. She carried bundle in her hand
Poor little shvering child l, even l, who could
do nothing else, pitied her. As she passed me,
her foot slipped upon the ice and she fell, with
cry of pain but she held the bundle tightly in her
hand, and jumped up, although she limped sadly
endeavored to run on as before.
"Stop little girl, STOP" said asoft sweet voice !;
and beautiful woman, wrapped in large shawl,
and with furs all around her, came out OF jewel
er's store close by. Poor little child" she said
are YOU hurt Sit down on this step and tell
me-" How [ loved her, and how beautiful she
looked! "Oh, can not" said the child, can
not wat-I am in such hurry. l have been to
the shoemakers, and mother must finish this work
to-night, or she will never get any more shoes to
bind" Tonight" said the beautiful woman
{" to-night?" YES" said the child-for the stran-
GERS kind manner had made her bold" yes !;
for the great ball night and these satin slippers
must be spanoled, and" The beautiful woman
took the bundle from the chds hand, land unrolled
it. You do not know why her face flushed, and
then turned pale but |, yes looked into the bun
die, and on the inside of the slipper saw a name
"a ladys name-written A.; but-Ishall not tell it.
f" And where does your mother live, little girl :"
So the child told her where, and then she told her
that her father was dead, and that her little baby
brother was sick, and that her mother bound Shoes
that they might have bread; but that sometimes
they were hungry, and sometimes they were very
cold ; and that her mother sometimes cried be-
cause she had no money to buy milk tor her little
sick brother And then saw that the iadys eyes
were full of tears; and she rolled mp the bundle
quickly, and gave it back to the little gir-but she
gave her nothing else no, not even one siXpence;
and turning away, went back into the store from
which she had just come out. AS she went away,
saw the glitter of diamond pin. Presently she
came back, and, stepping into handsome carriage,
rolled off. The little girl looked after her for
moment and them with her little bare feet colder
than they were before, quickly away. l went
with the little girl, and | saw her go to a narrow,
damp street, and into small, dark room; and
saw her mother-her sad, faded mother; but with
face so sweet, so patient hushing and soothing
sick baby And the babe slept; and the mother
laid it on her own lap, and the bundle was unrol
ed and a dim candle helped her with her work,
for though it was not night, yet her room was very
dark. Then, after while, she kissed her little
girl, and babe her warm her poor little frozen feet
over the scanty fire in the CRATE, and gave her a
little piece of bread for she had more and then
she heard her say her evening prayer, and folding
her tenderly to her bosom, blessed her, and told
her that the angels would take of her. And
the little child slept, and dreamed such pleas
ant dreams of warm stockings, and new shoes;
but the mother sewed on, alone. And as the bright
spangles glittereh on the satin slipper, came there
no repining into!her heart! When she thought
of her little childs BARE cold feet and of the scant
morsel of dry bread, which had not satisfied her
hunger, came there no visions of bright room,
and gorgeous clothing, and a table loaded with all
that was good and nice, one little portion of which
spared to her would send warmth and comfort to
her humble dwelling! If such thoughts came,
and others-of pleasant cottage, and of one who
had dearly loved her, and whose strong arm had
kept want and trouble from her and her babes, but
who could never come back-if these thoughts did
come, repiningly there came also another; and the
widows hands were casped, and her head bowed
low in deep contriton, as heard her say, Father,
forgive me; for thou doest all things WELL and
will vet trust thee.' Just then the door opened
softly, and some one entered. Was it an angel
Her dress was of spotess white, and she moved
with noiseless step. She went to the bed where
the sleeping child lay, and covered it with soft,
warm blankets Then presently fire sparkled
and blazed there, such as the little old CRATE had
=
the table, and fresh milk for the sick babe. Then
she passed gently before the mother. and drawing
the unfinished slipper from her hand, placed there
purse of gold, and said, il voice like music,
" Bless thy God who is the God of the fatheress
and the widow "-and she gone; only, as she
went out, heard her say" Better than diamonds!
better than diamonds !'' What could she mean
[ looked at the mother With clasped hands
and streaming eyes, she blessed her God, who had
sent an angel to comfort her. So I went away
too and l went to bright room, where there was
music, and dancing, and lights, and sweet flowers
and saw young, happy faces, and beautiful women,
richly dressed, and sparkling with jewels but none
that knew; until one passed me, whose dress was
of simple white, with only rosebud on her bo-
som, and whose voice like the sweet sound of
silver lutte. No spangled slipper glittered upon
her foot; but she moved as one that treadeth upon
the air, and the divine beauty of holiness had so
glorifed her face, that felt, gazed upon her,
that she was indeed as an angel of God
Harper's Magazine.
THE Ice CRoP. There is now no fear that the
market will not be amply supplied with ice through
out the coming season, although the supply usual
ly furnished from ponds in this immediate vicinity
is very much less than in years past. Large guam
titles of clear ice, from ten to fourteen inches in
L