Eastern times., 1853-10-27

A Beautiful Story.
BETTER THAN DIAMONDS.


was shining brightly, yet the long icicles hung
from the caves Of the house, and the wheels
rumbled loudly asithey passed over the ground.
There was clear, bright look, and cold
bracing feeling In The air, and keen north
west wind that quickened every step. Just
then little child came running aIong-a
poor, ill-clad child her clothes were scant
and threadbare she had no cloak nor shawl
and the little bare feet looked red and suffer
ing. She could not have been more than
eight years old. She carried bundle in her
hand. Poor little shivering I, even |, who
could do nothing else, pitied her. As she
passed, her feet slipped upon the ice, and she
fell with cry Of pain; but she held her bun
die tightly in her hand, and jumped up, and
although she limped sadly, attempted to run
on as before.
Stop, little girl, STOP said a sweet voice,
and lady in huge shawl, and with furs all
around her, came out Of the jewelers. 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 cannot, said the child, | cannot wait
am In such hurry. have been to the
shocmaker's and mother must finish this work
tonight, or she never will get any more shoes
to bind Tonight, said the beautiful wo-
man, tonight Yes said the child-for
the strangers kind manner had made her bold,
yes, for the great ball tonight, and these
satin slippers must be spangIed and -
The beautiful woman took the child's hand,
and unrolled it, You do not know why her
face flushed and then turned pale: but /, yes,
| looked into the bundle and on the inside of
slipper | saw name-written, but shall
not tell it.
And where does your mother live, little
girl q
So the child told her where, aud 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 very
cold and that her mother sometimes cried,
because she had no money to buy milk for her
little sick brother. And then / saw the lady's
eyes were full Of tears and then she rolled
up the bundle quickly, and gave it back to the
little girl, 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. Presently she came back and
stepping into a handsome carriage, rolled
off. The little girl looked after for moment,
and then with her little bare feet colder than
they were before, ran quickly away. went
with the little girl, and saw her go to mar
row damp street, and into small, dark room;
and ] saw her mother-her sad, faded mother,
but with 4 face SO sweet, SO patient, hushing
and soothinga sick baby. And the baby slept,
and the mother laid it on her lap, and the bum
die was unrOlled, and 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 bade her
warm her poor little frozen feet over the scan
ty fire in the CRATE, and gave her little piece
of bread, for she had no 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 care of
her. And the little child slept, and dreamed
oh ! such pleasant dreams--of warm stock
ings and new shoes but the mother sewed
on, alone. And as the bright spangles gilt
tered on the satin slipper, came there no re-
pinings in her heart When she thought of
her child's 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 por-
tion of which spared to her, would send
warmth and comfort to her bumble dwelling
II such thoughts came-~and others Of
pleasant cottage, and orc who had dearly
loved her, and whose strong arm had kept
trouble from her and her babes, but who could
never como hacE-if these thoughts did come
repiningiy, there came also .luu'lrer anu ''.o
widows hands were clasped, and her head
bowed low, in deep, cpntrtlnn, as l heard her
say, Father, forgive me, for thou doest all
things we'll, and will trust thee Just then
the door opened softly, and scme one entered.
Was it an angel! Her drees was of spotless
white. and she moved with noiseless step
She went ia the bed whsre the sleeping child
law. and COVERED il with seft, warm blankets.
Then, presently, fire srsrkled and hlaHed
there, such as the little old grata never knew
before, Then huge loaf was upon the table
and fresh milk fdr the sick babe. Then she
passed gently before the mcthar, and drawing
the unfinished clipper ffutn her hand. rhe
t,laced theirs purse of gold, and eaid in a
voice like tnueic, Hlecs thy Ged, who liz tie
God of the fatheress ard the widow ard
she was gone only. as she went out heard
hs4 raw. Better than diamtrlse-ahetter than
diamonds = What could she neen I lock-
ed at the mother. With sisspsd htnds and
streaming ewes she blessed her God, who had
SEPT an angel TO comfort her, So | went to a
bright t..tn,, where there was Ittusls, dapcinS,
srs r.tect flowers and saw yahns, happy
faces. and beautiful women riehly dressed,
sparkling with Jewels; but none that knew,
until one passed me whose dress was of simple
white. with only rosebud on her bosom, and
whose voice was like the sweet sound Of a
silver flute No spangled slipper was glitter