Spirit of the times. [volume] (Ironton, Ohio) 1853-1858, 1853-03-29
THE LITTLE PAUPER.

SIi VI H'e yea's, tHc oHIy AhouIncI, IoI
the silent heart beneath. Friendless,
hopeless, homeless, she had wept till
she had no more tears to shed, and now
she stood with her SC anty clothing Aut.
tering in the wind, pressing her little
hadns tightly over her heart, as tito still
its beating.
"lts no use fretting," said tho rough
man, as he stamped the last shovel full
Of earth over all the child had to love;
"fretting won't bring dead folks to life;
pity you havn't got no ships cousins
somewhere to take you; it's a tough
world, this ere, | tell YOU; don't see
how you're going to weather it. Guess
l'll take ye round to Miss Fcathcrbcc's,
she's got power O. children, and wants
a hand to help her; so come along, If
you cry enough to float the ark i, would
not do any good"
Alice obeycd him mechanically, turn.
ing her head now and then to take an.
other and yet another look where her
mother lay buried.
The morning sun shonc in upon an
underground kitchen in the crowded city.
Mrs. Fetherbee, attired in gay colorcd
calico dress, with any quantity Of tinsel
ewclry, sat sewing some shcwy cotton
lace on cheap pocket handkerchief.
A boy of five years was dispuling with a
little girl Of three about an apple; from
big words they had come 10 hard blows,
and peace was finally declared a, the
price OF an orange apiece, and a stick
Of candy--each comba,ant putting in
for the biggest.
Poor Alice with pale cheeks anil swol
len eyes, was staggering up and down
the floor, under the wei shl OF mammoth
who was amusing himself pulling out
at intervals little handfuls Of her hair.
"Quie, that child! can't your" said
Mrs. Fctherbee, in no gentle tone. 81
don't wonder the darling is cross, to see
such solemn face. You must get a
little life into ye somehow, or you won't
earn the salt to your porridse here
There declare, you've halfput his eyes
out with those long curls hanging around
come here and have 'em cut off, they
don't look proper for charity child;"
and she glanced at the short stubby
crops on the heads OF the little Fe,hcr.
bees.
Alice's lip quivercd, as she said,
"Molher used to love to brush them
smooth every morning; she said they
were like little dear sisters; please don't
she said beseechingly. :
"Bus tell you do please cut 'cm,
so there's an end Of that" she said, as
the severed ringlcts lel. in shining hear
on the kitchen floor: "and do, for crea
TONS sake stop talking about dead folks
and now eat your breakfast, if you want
it; ! forgot you havn't had any-,hcrc'.
some Of the children's left; ifyou'rc hun
cry it will go down, and if you amt you
can go without"
Poor Alice! the daintiest morsel would
not have gone down. her eyes filled
with tears that would not be forced back
and she sobbed out, 81 must cry i
you beat me for Tiny heart pains m,
so bad."
"H.i.t.y t.i.t-y! what's all this?" sale
broad faced, rosy milkman, as he sa
his shining can down on the kitchen ia
BILE; "what's all this Mrs. Featherbee
I'd as lief eat pins and needles as hea
child cry. Who is she?" pointing tc
Alice, "and what's the matter with her?'
"Why the long and short Of it is, sbe'
poor pauper, that we've taken in ou
Of charity and she's crying at her luck
that's ALL" said the lady, with vexee
toss Of her head. "That's the way be
nevolence is rewarded. nothing on eartl
: to do here, but tend the baby and anus
/ the children, and run to the door ant
wash the dishes, and dust the furniture
and tidy the kitchen, and 60 few er
rands;-ungratelul little bagsagc!'
Jemmy's heart was as big as his farm
and that covered considerable ground
Glancins pitifully at the little weepe'
he said, skilfully, "that child's going t
. be sick, Mrs Fetherbee, and then wha
are you going TO do with her? Besides
; she's too young to be of much use t
you. You'd better let me take her."
"Well, shouldn't wonder ifyou wa
half right" said the frightened woman
"She's been trouble enough already
III give her quit claim"
evil you go with me, little maid?
said Jenny, with bright good nature
r smile.
i, "If you please" said Alice 'layin