Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1854-03-12
..-f Erom the nlire Branch.
The One Little Favor.

h. Little fierre sat hummnng by the bedside of HI
/ mother. There was no bread ia the closet and III
| whole day he had not tasted food. Yet he sl
humning to keep up his spirits. Still at times h
thought OF his loneliness and hunger, and he eoui
scarcely keep tears from his eyes, for he kney
nothing would be so grateful TO bis poor invai
mother as good sweet orange and yet he had no
penny in the world rs ~ ,l
The little song he was singing was his own-on
he composed with air and words for the child wa
agenius, and feryent worshipper at the shrine o
music. Cd sf
As the tears would roll down his cheeks and hi
voice would fater at bis sad, sad thoughts, he die
not dare to let his mother see, but, hastily rising
hurried to the window, and there watched man
putting up great bill with yellow letters, an
nouncing that Madam M, then favorite can
tatrice, would sing that night at the temple
Oh, if could only go" thought little Pierre,
and then pausing moment, he claspcd his hands
his eyes lighted with unwonted fre-and running
to the little stand he smoothed down his yellow
curls and taking from little box some old STAIN
ed paper, gave one eager glance at his mother who
slept and ran speedily from the house.
"Who did you say was waiting for me? ~ said
Madam SO her servant 81 am already
worn out with company" .s
It's only pretty little hoy with yellow curls,
who says if he only see you, he is sure you will
not be sorry, and he will not keep you moment
"Oh. we'll, let him come" said the beautiful
singer with smile, Il cannot refuse children"
Little Pierre came in, his hat under his arm,
and in his hand little roll of paper. With
manliness unusual for a child, he walked straight
up to Madam M, and bowling said, II came
to see you because my mother is very sick and we
are too poor to get food and medicine / thought
that perhaps if you would sing only my little song
at some of your grand concerts, may be some pub
Usher would buy it for small sum, and so could
get food and medicine for my mother"
The beautiful woman rose from her seat very
tall and stately she was sh. took the little roll
from his hand, and lightly hummed the air .
"Did you compose it, she asked "you;
child? And the words +? wonderful little genius
Would you like to come to my concert :" she asked
after few moments Of thought.
"Oh yes y and the boys blue eyes grew liquid
with happiness, but I couldn't leave my mother"
{" win send somebody to take care of your
mother for the evening, and here is crown with
which do you go and get food and medicine Here
is also one of my tickets-come to night; that
will admit you to seat near me; my good little
fellow, your mother has treasure in you
Almost beside himself with joy, Pierre bought
some oranges, and many little luxury besides,
and carried them home to the poor invalid telling
her not without tears, Of his good fortune.
Never in his life had Pierre been in such a
grand place. The music, clashing and rolling, the
myriad lights, the beauty, the flashing of diamonds
and the rusting of silks, bewiIdered his eyes and
his brain. At last she came-and the child sat
with his glance riveted upon her glorious face
Could he believe that the grand lady, all blazing
with jewels, and who everybody seemed to worship
would really sing his little song? Breathless he
band, the whole band struck up lit
lie paintive melody; he knew it, and clipped his
hands for joy. And oh how she sung it 1t
was so simple, so mournful so soul-subduing-
many bright eye dmmed with tears, and naught
could be heard but the touching words of that lit
lie song-oh so touching
Pierre walked home as if he were moving on the
air. What cared he for money now The greatest
prima donna in all Europe had sung his little song
and thousands had wept at his grief
The next day he was frightened at visit from
Madam M. She laid her hands on his yellow
curs, and turning to the woman, said: Your little
boy, madam, has brought you fortune. / was
offered this morning, by the best publisher in Lon
don, three hundred pounds for his little song. and
after he has realized certain amount from the
sale, little Pierre here is to share the profits
Madam, thank God that your son has a gift from
heaven"
The noble hearted singer and the poor woman
vept together. As to Pierrie, always rendered. he
inelt down by his mothers bedside, and uttered
/ simple but eloquent prayer, asking Gods bless
ng on the kind lady who had deigned to notice
heir affiictiOn.
And the memory of that prayer made the singer
wen more tenderhearted and she who as the idol
If Engand's nobility, like the worlds great master.
vent about doing good And in her early, happy
ieath, when the grave damps gathered over her
brow, and her eyes grew dim, he who stood by her
BED, his bright face clothed in the mourning of
ighes and tears, smoothed her pillow, and lighted
Ter last moments by his undying affection, was the
little Pierre of former days, rich, accomplish
d, and the most talented composer of the day
All honor to those great hearts, who from their
high stations send down bounty to the widow, and
o the fatherless child.