The Empire County argus., 1854-11-04
From Gleason's Pictorial.
THE LITTLE .,.EL,
BY MRS. CATHARINE A. soULE.

"May 60 to the common to play? I've been a
good girl day. warbled the dear little pet Isabel
Lee in Il voice that was as sweet as the song of
bird at sunlight and up and down the stairs she
went singing her childish dtty. and searching ca
gerly for her mother that she might obtain the de-
sired permission
Say yes. do now, that's a dear good mother" she
exclaimed. when at length she found herself in the
arms of that loved Miss says that
have been very good girl indeed. and she says
too that air and play will do me good And there's
no place in the world that love to play well
as on that dear old common of ours. call it our
little country, mother. cause there no houses
there. nothing but grass and trees and water
"And birdlings from human nests said the
mother, she lovingly kissed the darling. Yes,
you may go. but mind-do not play too hard and
be sure Bell to get back before the dinner is real
dy."
Merrily then battered the sppered feet after bon
net, cape. and hoop, and merrily sang the happy
voice
81 can 90 to the common to play,
guess Ill be good then, every day"
Very demurely did the little girl pace the crow
ded and fashionable thoroughfare but q lightly
and joyousy did she bound down the stone steps
And once on the graveed path with God green
grass under her feet-his noble trees arching above
her-his glad free sunshine quiverng on their tops,
dancing through their interlacing bows here mot
Ting the soft turf and there bathing it in the go
laughing, lcaping fountain-once out on that little
country. and isabel happest of the happy, fitted
through the long walks with step that seemed
winged so feet. SO airy was its tread while her
voice rang now in childish gee-and again in bird
like songs and her pulse beating with quickcned
life sent fresh bright hues to the delicate cheek,
gave an additional lustre the brilliant eye, and
a warm glad rush to the imprisoned soul. Out on
the common she might be what God meant she
might be while her years were few A child. a
wild, romping, folicsome child. and gather in her
buoyant sports that strength so needed in life to
come that vgor that shields the heart from muffed
notes.
She rolled her hoop, she tossed her velvet ball,
she hipped and hoped to the BARRIERS shop. she
made friends with the little girls that romped beside
her, and lent them her hoop while she jumped their
rope she watched the little boys launch their boats
smiled with them when they bore gallant sail
and spoke comforting word when they met a sud
den wreck she played with the babies, and glad
dened the hearts of the weary nurses with kind
and loving word, and then fairly tired out wander
ed away from the noisy group.
81 won't 20 home quite yet said she, Ill get
rested first Yes Ill find me nice, COOL shady
place, and set down and think while. Mother
says it does little girls good to think and SO she
tripped away in search Of musing spot
But suddenly her steps were arrested The light
faded from her joyous eye, the song died ON her lips
There on the turf beside her, the midsummer sun
pouring its torrid rays upon his upturned face, bur-
ried in what seemed deathlike sumber. lay a man
In the prime Of lite-tattered and torn were his
garments, a battered hat by his side, broken bot
tie clenched in his right hand
The poor sick man." said the wondering child
there in the hot sun, asleep It's too bad, too bad
How sorry his folks would be If they knew where
he was. He must have been going to the doctor S
for he has bottle and paper, and guess he was
so weak that he couldn't get there and fell down
The poor sick man. how | wish could make him
well.n
ched him, and SIT down beside him She took out
her handkerchief and wiped away the great drops
that gathered on his brow, and then famed him
with that soft delicate motion which we give to the
dylng friend. And all the time tears We're stream
ang down her cheeks as she waIling with a
hushed voice and sobbing heart over his lot She
was wondering II he had wife and chidren--and
II they knew how sick he was and she wished he
would wake up and tell her where they lived, that
she might go and bring them there
long while she sat there patient thoughtful
watcher-0nly once she ceased the cooling breeze
it was to field her little hands as she had been
taught. to breathe over him a childish drawer =
That prayer The angels hushed their harps tu
listen, and there was joy in heaven"
At length the sick turned and tossed as tho
sleep was almost over.
'.Poor man !" said the little nurse poor man. I'm
afraid you will be sore and stiff sleeping so long on
the ground, when it raned only last night. Poor
man! how sorry | am for you" But now her cheek
is close to his face for his lips and she would