Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-01-10


one of rags just as we'll"
s'But hobby horse is different thing"
said George. $500
''And q sled," said Tom.
So they continued to bewail their losses,
until their mother, entering the room, put
stop to their complaints.
''Tom," said she, in cheerful, of. hand
manner, 81 am going to make some calls
to-day, and as Papa is toe busy, and cannot
attend me, I shall expect you to be my
beau" es.e y
"Why Ma! what induces you to 20 out
to-day? Nobody visits on New Years
day"
"Well, then, l will be an exception" said
she, good humoredly; "and, as 1 take
young gallant with me, no one will find fault,
at least, I know those whom intend to
visit will not feel disposed to ridicule me.
So put on your overcoat and comforter, and
make yourself warm and comfortable, for it
is cold and disagreeable, and we have long
walk before us"
"Dear me, Nal" said Tom, sshave you
any acquaintances ia this part of the city?
Why it is regular dirty, poverty-stricken
looking place; and I am getting tired of
carrying this heavy basket too"
"We are nearing the end of our journey
noW," said Mrs. Harper.
And as she spoke, they stopped before
mean looking old house, that looked as if it
was untenanted.
She pushed open battered door, and en-
tered, pulling Tom along with her; for
that young gentleman had very fastidious
notions, and objected strongly against en-
tering place like that
''I If she wanted to bestow charity on
some poor persons, why did she not send
one of the servants? It was too bad to
walk SO far, on such a cold day, to carry
provisions to beggars."
Tom, it must be confessed, was not in a
very amiable mood. He had not forgotten
his sled and as he was deprived of what
he thought he needed most-at least, what
he wished most for-he had no sympathy
to bestow on any one. And he hung back,
reluctant to enter such miserable place.
But it was too late. A half clad little girl
caught glimpse Of them, and ran along
the entry gathering, as she went, in pair
of shoes world too large for her little half
frozen feet.
"It's grand lady, said she, as Mrs
Harper neared the door; ''and beautiful,
grand little gentleman with her.
But their entrance put stop to her To-
quaciousness, and she crept behind chair
on which her mother sat, and kept looking
out, from time to time, at them.
"This is Mrs. Briggs, 1 believe" said
Mrs. Harper
"The same, ma'am," returned the poor
woman, with some astonishment. "Do you
want to see me, ma ann"
"I wasrequested to call here Your hus-
band, l suppose it was, was injured by some
machinery in the establishment of Mr.. Har-
per. Am right?"
{" 1t was my husband" said the woman.
"God bless the one who sent you here; for
we have neither food nsr fire, and I have
been cripple for more than two years;
and now, that John is laid up-that is, my
husband, ma 'am-we must either starve or
beg; and it's hard to let my children do
that; for, although we were always poor,
We never asked charity yet; and to see them
street beggars, would almost break my
heart"
There was an air of the most squallid
poverty about these poor people. The fur
niture consisted of an old table with three
legs, and the place of the fourth supplied
by broken chair; two other chairs and
miserable bed-stead comprised their whole
stock. Upon the bed lay the husband, be-
meath parcel of old rags. His pale, thin
face was the perfect picture of famine, and
he shivered beneath his poor covering, as if
he had an ague fit.