Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1854-07-26
Miscellaueou5.
LITTLE ALLIE.

freshly opened grave stood little delicate
girl Of five years. the only mourner for the ST.
lent heat beneath Friendless, hopeless,
homeless, she had wept till she bad no more
tears to she'd; and now she stood, With her
scanty clothing futtcring in the chill wind,
pressing her little hands tightly over her
heart, as if to feel its beating.
It's no use frettipg, said the rough man.
as he stamped the last shovelfull Of Garth
over all the child had left to love. Fret
ting won't bring dead felix's to life. Pity you
hadn't got no cousins somewberes to take
you. It's tough world, this ERE, tell ye.
don't see how yo're going to weather it,
But III take ye round to Mrs. Fetberbee's;
she's got q power of children, and wants
hand to help her, so come along Ifyou cry
enough to float the ark, it won't do you no
good Allie obeyed him mechanically, turn
ing her head every few minutes to take an
other look where her mother lay buried
The morning sun shono in upon an under
ground kitchen in the crowded city Mrs
Fethcrbec, attired in gay colored cotton
dress, with any quantity Of tinscl jeYelry, sat
sewing some snowy lace on cheap pocket
handkerchief A boy Of FIVE years was dis.
putting with little girl of three about an ap-
| pie from big words they bad como to hard
blows; and peace was finally declared at the
price of an orange apiece, ana stick Of can
dy-oach combatant putting in for the
biggest.
Poor Allie, with pale checks and swollen
oye-lids, was staggering up and down the
floor under the weight Of mammoth baby,
who was amusing himself by pulling out at
intervals little handfuls of her hair.
Quiet that child cant ger said Mrs
Fctberbee, in no very gentle tono. / don't
wonder the darling is cross to see such soi-
emn face. You must get little lifo into
you somehow, or you won't earn the salt to
your po-riage here. There, declare you'vc
half put bis eyes out with those long
curls dangling round Come here, and have
EN- cut off; they don't look proper for a
charity child, and she glanced at the short
stubby crops on the head of the little Feth-
crbces.
/ Allies lips quivered as she said, Mother
| - L. az.
morning. She said they were like little dead
sisters; please don't said she bcsoechingly,
But | tell you | do please TO cut en- of !;
so there's an end of that said she, as the
several ringlets fell in a shining heap on the
kitchen floor And do, for creations sake,
stop talking about dead folks. And now
eat youc breakfast if you want it. forgot
you hadn't had any. There's some of the
children's left; if you're hungry, it will go
down; and if you amt yon can go without
Poor Allie The dainticst morsel wouldn't
have gone down. Her eyes filed with tears
that wouldn't force back ard she sobbod
out ! must cry, il you beat me fol- it, my
heart pains me so bad
Il i-t.y, fifty What's all this I? said
a broad faced rosy milkman as be set his shi-
ming can down on the kitchen table. whats
all this, Miss Fetherbee? I'd as lief eat
pins and needles as hear child cry. Who
is she? he asked pointing at Allie, and
what's the matter with hor?
why the long and short of it, she's a poor
pauper that we've taken in our charity, aud
she's crying at her good luck that's all, SAID
the lady, with vexed toss of her head
That's the way benevolence is always re-
wardod. Nothing on earth to do here, but
tend the baby and amusc the children, and
20 to the door, and wash the dishes, and dust
the furniture, and tidy The kitchen, and go of
few errands Ungrateful language
,Jemmy's heart was as big as bis farm. and
that covered considerable ground. CHANGING
pitifully at the little weeper, be said skilfully,
That child's going to be sick, Mrs. Fether-
bee, and then what are you going to do with
her, Besides, she's too young 70 be much
use to you You'd better let me take her p
well, shouldn't wonder if you was half
right said the frightened woman. She's
been trouble enough already, I'll give her
quit claim
will you go with me, little maid ? said
Jenny, with bright good natured smile.
If you please said Allie, laying her little
hand conGdingly in his rough palm.
Sit up closer, said Jenny, as he put one
arm round her to steady her fragile figure as
they ratified over the stony pavement. I'VE
shall soon be out Of this smoky old city -
Consarn it | always feel as if was poi
soned every time come into town. And
then we'll see what sweet hay fields, and new
milk, and clover blossoms, and hearts will do
for you, you poor little pluekcd chicken -