Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1853-04-20


bitter tears started to her eyes, and wild, re-
bellious murmurings against Gods provi-
deuce rose in her heart.
1t was long wal that Mabel had to 90,
away from the little narrow, crowded streets
with which she was familiar, up into a fash
ionable quarter of the city. She did not
know her way very we'll, and had to look
up often to notice tbe numbers of the houses;
and once, looking pp, her eyes met those of
child not older han herself, standing by
widow, inside the curtains. (Whata con-
trast between the two children! Mabel STAR
we'd and frozen, and miserable, barefoot in
the snow ; and the child at the window,
beautiful as dream, warm and rosy and
richly dressed, standing amidst folds of lace
and velvet drapery of almost royal splendor.
Yet the beautiful child looked down kindly
lIfsyn Eangsaas aasg a57al-ana- snailad and Mabel
smiled back again, for the child's look had
been like sunbeam shining down into her
eyes, Then the child beckoned with lit
tie white hand, as if for Mabel to come to
her, but Mabel did not dare to mount the
marble steps of that splendid mansion. The
child raised the window little and called
out to Mabel, STAY till | come and so
ran away. Presently she was at the hall
door, calling Mabel to come to her, so kind
" that Mabel, quite encouraged, came up
the steps to the little lady
How cold you must be r exclaimed the
child, compassionately, taking Mabel's fro
zen fingers in her soft, rosy hands with
no cloak on, and no shoes either Why,
how could yout mother let you go out SO 3
Mabel put her hands over her eyes and
burst into tears : havn't got any moth
err she sobbed; but it was not that thought,
so much as the elunaccustomed words ofkind-
ness, that made her cry
I'm SO sorry ! said the child, pityingly ;
but don't cry, | havn't got any mother
either I. .vec--onssy got grandpa, but he
loves me dearly, and gives me every thing
want. So if | want some nice warm clothes
for you, he'll give them to me | know. But
you must come in first and get warm and
put your basket down here-I wouldn't car.
ry that heavy basket any more
The child took the basket and sit it down
upon the steps, and then drew Mabel into
the house, across the hall, and up the broad
carpeted stair case into the drawing room
where she had been before. Poor Mabel
she stood bewildered with astonishment anG
admiration in the centre Of that beautiful
room. 1t seemed to her dream of fairy
land she had never imagined the existenc,
Of such splendid things. The velvet carpet
so rich and glowing, into which her bar
feet sank at every step, the luxurious coach
es and divans, and the mirrors reaching from
The pfstures ana statues,1 and the bsautffG
trifes scattered around upon the marble ia
bles-every thing was new and wonderful
to Mabel. She looked down at herself, il
all her tatters and misery, and then with
bitter sense of the contrast between hersel
and her surroundings, she would have rul
wildly from the room, from the house, on
into the snow again. What business ha,
she there but tie little lady held her hands
and drew her up to the CRATE, through th
silver bars of which the glowing Goals she
such warm crimson light. A large cust
ioned chair stood before the crate, an
in this the child seated Mabel then SD
sat down upon an ottoman by her, an
commencee talking to her, and asking he
questions.
Tel me what your name is. little girl
, she sad J. Mabel. is it what pretty nam
Mabel is My name is ADELAIDE, but nj
body would ever know it, because grandp
always calls me lady-bird. wish my granc
pa was yours too, he is SO good, and
: would never let you 60 out into the cold S
, Tell me all about it, Mabel, where you liv
r and what makes you poor. May be | ca
: do something for you
And so Mabel did tell her all her stor
! and all that she had to bear; how she W
r cold and hungry always, and badly treate
t and scolded and beaten at home. And Il
r little Adelaide cried with and grleyed for Il
poor little bound girl, and Mabel cried t
: it was so unusual thing, this sympatl
. and kindness, that so affected her to tea
much more readily than harsh words or i
r usage would have done. And there t
j. TWO little children sat, all alone, for no o
It had been in the room all this time and N
II bel, IN talking with Adelaide, had forgott
= all about Her errand and her basket Of evC
d greens tlat she had left upon the door-ste
and thatkhe bad staid away long past {
,r time when she should have been at home
d gain. But all at once she remembered
b and sprung up in alright to so home.
" what will Mrs. James say because
1e have staid away so long? and oh, my b
to ket-if anything should have happened
itr she exclaimed ia terror.
he We'll 90 and see, ADELAIDE said, a
"a they went down to the hall door again 9
in opened it 20 get the basket but the bas
ak was gone. Some one had passed by and
an ken possession of it, and il was Of no ust
Ii look any farther for it. Poor Mabel b,
en- into an agony Of grief. She knew only
he we'll what would be her fate if she bad
re. 60 back without the basket, and without
de ing done her errand. Adelaide tried toe
So fort her
m Never mind about the basket, Mat
to she said wouldn't care for the ba
ed or the people wouldn't 90 back to
m with people that treated me so and
TO shan't go, Mabel; you shall stay and
Sc with me always I'll ask grandpa if
full mayn t r.
;tb Fall Of new idea, the child ran ac
-a~o 4~orrr;nor Mabol aftar her