The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1853-10-07
BETTER THAN DIAMONDS.

De l Eh lEAN DIAMONDS.
was standing in the broad crowded street
of n large city. 1t was cold winters day.
There had been rain; and although the sun
was shining brightly, yet the loEg icicles
hung from the caves of the houses, and tho
wheels rumbled loudly us they passed over
the ground. There WAS a clear, bright look,
and cold wind, which quickened every step.
Just then a little child came running along
| q 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
suffering. She could not have been more
than eight years old. She carried bundle
in her hand. Poor little shvering child! ].
even ], who could do nothing else, pitied her.
As she passed me, her foot slipped upon tho
ice, and she fell, with cry of pain; but she
held the bundle tightly in her hand, and,
jumping up, although she was limping sadly,
endeavOrcd to run on as before.
"Stop, little girl, STOP" said sweet voice.
and beautiful woman, wrapped in hugo
shawl, and with furs all around her, came out
of n jewellers 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; II cannot
watt am in such hurry. have been to
the shoemuker's, and mother must finish this
work tonight, or she will never get any more
shoes to bind"
"To night" said the beautiful woman; ITO
night"
"Ycs," said the chld-for the strangers
kind manner had made her bold-"yes, for
the great ball tonight and these satin slip.
pers must be spangled; and
The beautiful woman took the bundle from
the child's hand. and unroled it. You do not
know why her face flushed. and then turned
pale; but l. yes ], looked into the bundle, and
on the inside Of slipper saw n name-a
lady S name, writtcn-but shall not tell It.
And where docs 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 Ter
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 that
the lady's eyes Were full of tears; and She
rolled up the bundle quickly, and gave il back
to the little girl, but she gave her nothing
elsc-no. not even one siXpence-nnd turn
ing away went back into the store from which
she had just come out. As she went away,
saw the glitter OF n diamond pin. Presently
she came back, and stepping into n handsome
carriage, rolled off. The little girl looked
after her 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 20 to a narrow, damp street,
and into Il small dark room; and | SAW her
mother--hcr sad, faded mothcr--but with u
face 80 sweet, so patient, hushing and sooth.
ing sick baby. And the baby slept, and
the mother laid it on her lap, and the bundle
was unrOllcd: and II dim candle helped her
with her work; for, though it was not yet
night, it Was very dark in her room. Then,
after while, she kissed her little girl, and
bade her warm her poor little frozen feet over
the scanty fire, and gave her lille piece of
bread, for she had no more; and then she heard
; her say her evening prayer, and folding her
tcndcrly to her bosom, blessed her, and told
her that the angels would take care of her.
And the little child slept, and dreamcd-oh,
such pleasant dreams--of warm stockings
and new shOcs-but the mother sewcd on,
alone. And, rs the bright spanglcs glittercd
on the satin slippers, came there no repinings
in her heart. When she thought OF her little
child's bare, cold feet, and of the scant NOR.
sci of dry bread, which had not satisfied her
hunger, came there no visions of bright
room and gorgeous clothing, and table
loaded with all that WAS good and nice, ono
little portion Of which spared TO her would
send warmth and comfort 10 her humble
dwelling!
Fsuch thoughts came, md o,hers-of
pleasant cottage, and Of one who had dearly
loved her, ana whose strong arm had kept
want and trouble from her and her babes, but
who could never come back--if these things
did come, rcpininglv, there came also another:
and the widows hands were clasped, and her
head bowed low in deep contrition, as !
heard her say, "Fathcr forgive me, for thou
dost all things well, and will trust thee
Just then the door opened softly, and some
ono entered. Wns it IN angel! Her dress
was Of spotlcss white, and she moved with n
noseless step. She went to the bed where
the sleeping child lay, and covered il with
soft warm blankets Then presently fire.
sparkled and bIazcd there, such rs the little
old crate had never known before. Then a
huge loaf was upon the table, and fresh milk
for the sick babe, Then she passed gently
before the mother, and drawing the un finish.
| w S"Ppe' hpni uct "'Hu, pi'ceu tHcic purse
Of gold, and said, in Voice like music, Bless
thy God, who is the God of the iathcress
and the widow"-and she was gone; only as
she went ont heard her say, "Better than
diamOnds-beter than diamondsy - What
could she mean looked at the MOTHER
With claspcd hands and streaming eyes, she
blessed her God who had sent an angel to
comfort her.
So went, too, and went to bright room,
where there WAS music, and dancing, aud
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 sim.
| pie white, with only rosebud ON her bosom,
and whose voice WAS like the sweet sound of
silver lutte. No spangled slippers g,ittercd
/ upon her feet; but she moved as one that
treadeth upon the air, and the divine beauty
OF holiness had 81 gloriiicd her face, that I
felt, as gazcd upon her, that she was, indeed,
an angel Of God.
"Judge, you say il punch man, even in
fun, he can take mo up tor assault and bat.
terry"
AYES, sir, said that, and what I said re-
peat. lf you punch 4 man. YOU are guilty of
breach of the peace, and can b. arrested
for it,"
"Aint there no exceptions :"
"No, sir; no exceptions whatever"
"Judge, think YOU are mistaken. SUP
pose. for instance | SbouI1 hr, an J,. r,o.h H..