Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1853-03-10
The Orphan Girl, |
Or, Charity its own Reward.

l
/, CHARLES MARIs was poor, yea very
poor. left an orphan alt an early
age, he was cast upon his own re
sources, for friends we're few. and dag
Fbv day would he set forth with hi
pack upon his shoulder, TO dispose o
his goods. To a passer-by, the face
of Charles would have been merely
glanced at, without a thought WI beth
er it was handsome or not, but to q
close obs erver of human nature, il
would hay e seemed marked with the
traces Of beauty. His dress was
not in the fashion of the day, for pow
erty had bounds which lie could not
pass; but his garments we're never
theless in a state Of neatn
To those who knew Charles, it was
"a matter of surprise bow, under his
weight of misfortunes, his heart was
SO light. His voice could be heard at
night singing some scraps of old
songs, and though his lot was hum
BILE, yet smile was ever on his lips.
His life was indeed lonely; there were
no voices Of affection to greet him in
tones of fondness, when at night he
arrived home weary and faint; he had
no bosom in which to conlide his SCR
rows; but there, amidst the loneli-
ness of his humble but, we're his
years past in dreamliness and sorrow.
Itis easy for those who dwell in
large houses, surrounded with every
comfort, to be happy and gay; but to
maintain a light heart amidst the
darkness and gloom of poverty is he
roism, let the world say whatit will.
1t was allovely day in summer, as
Charles took his pack and wended
his way through the streets Of the
city 1t had bee h to him an unfor-
tunate day, for at every door he
stopped, he was met with cold re-
eeption, and the cry Of swami moth
.ng to-day
With feelings Of disappointment he
turned his weary steps homfward,
on bis way, of the cold
charities of the world On passing
through a miserable alley, the abode
If the vicious and the unfortunate,
lis ears were saluted with the cries
If poverty and the blasphemo Us epi-
hets Of crime. There was one lit /
Ib girl who strue elk his attent tionIby
lef tender years and her meagtr gar
nents, Whether she noticed d shade
If sympathy upon the homes ped-
ar's face, or was drawn towar DIS bin
~ the ties Of S pme magnetic intln-
snce, We know not; but Ger tain 1t
vas that she approached him, aud in
voice SO soft and gentle, that it
night have bee n breathed ito an
,el's ears, said
kind sir, OH have pity a nd-giye
ne a home. l am an orphh hn and
ave no place where / can lay my
lead.'
Poor thing, thought Char les; and
he K an ornhar. and then he thought
f his own loneliness and his friend
ess state. But l am a man, said he,
nd have strong heart and strong
lands, but thispoor girl is weak, fee
lie, and unable to contend against the
tream of misfortune. If l leave
er, it may be to degradation; and
he honest pedlar shuddered ven at
he thought.
Just one penny, sir, to buy / bis
nit, exclaimed the child, in tones of
orrow. 'Ohl ] am so hungry and
he laid her emaciated hand onfthat
f Charles, and gazed up into his
ICE.
Poor girl, said Charles, as he
anded her the money,'art thou hun
ry?'
Yes said the child. in artless
9nes, and sad too, for | have no Ia
her, or mother am beggar and !
n outcast.'
what is your name, little girlP and +
} kind we're the tones in which the {
uestion was asked, that she crouch
closer to his side and answered, {
Nice, SIR I
For moment, and only for mo-
lent, he hesitated, and taking her
and in his, his face became illumi-
lted with a noble purpose. 1T
Does no one have a kind word !
+ you, Alice, said Charles; is there +
0 one to love your It
Not one answered the child, tim
Ily; but when mother died she told ,
o TO be a good girl, and that thei !