The Empire County argus., 1855-09-01

The cry of disappointment and despair which
came at these words from her father and brothers,
caused her to recall what she had said, and conceal
the truth. l have not got it yet, exclaimed she,
but will have it imme liately. I have given the
baker the money; he was serving some rich people,
and he told me to wait Or come back, | came to
| tell you it will soon be here
After these words, without waiting for a reply.
she left the house again. thought had entered
her head, and, maddened by the distress of those
she loved SO dearly, she had instantaneously re-
solved to put it in execution. She ran from one
street to another, till she saw bakers shop in
which there appeared to be no person, and then
summoniag all her determination, she entered, lift
ed loaf, and fled The shopkeeper saw her. He
cried loudly-ran out after her, and pointed her
out to the people passing by. The girl ran on
She was pursued, and finally man seized the loaf
which she carried. The object of her desires taken
away, she had no motive to proceed, and was seized
at once. They conveyed her towards the office of
the police; crowd, as usual, having gathered in
attendance. The poor girl threw around her de-
spairing glances which seemed to seek some favor
able object from whom to ask mercy. At last
when she had been brought to thescourt of the po-
lice office, and was in waiting for the order to enter
she saw before her little girl about her own age
who appeared to look on her with glance of kind
ness and compassion. Under the impulse of the
moment still thinking of the condition of her fam
iy she whispered to the stranger the cause of her
act of theft.
Father and mother, and my two brothers, are
dying for want of bead said She
'Wheren anxiously asked the strange girl.
Rue -, No. TO- She had only time to add
the name of her parents to this communication,
when she was carried in before the commissary of
police
Meanwhile the poor family at home suffered all
the miseries of suspense. Fears for their chds
safety were added to the other Affections of the pa
ronts. At length they heard footsteps ascending
the stair. An eager cry of hope was uttered by
all the four unfortunates but alas stranger ap-
peared in place of their own little one. Yet the
stranger seemed to them like an angel Her cheeks
had beautiful bloom, and long 1axen hair fell in
curs upon her shoulders. She brought to them
bread, and small basket of other provisions.
Your girl she said, will not come back per-
haps to-day; but keep up your spirits! See what
she has sent you'll
After these encouraging words, the young mes
senger of good put into the hands of the father five
francs, and after turning round to cast look of
pity and satisfaction upon the poor family, which
was dumb with emotion, she disappeared.
The history of these five francs is the most re-
markable part of this affair. The little benevolent
fairy was, it is almost unnecessary to say the
plying spectator who had been addressed by the
abstractor of the loaf at the police. AS soon as
she had heard what was said there, she went away
resolved totake some meat to the poor family. But
she reII1empereu tnaC nef mamma was from home
that day, and was at loss how to procure money
or food, until she bethought herself of resource
of a strange kind She recollccted that hair
dresser, who lived near her mothers house, and
who knew her family, had often commended her
beautiful hair, and had told her to come to him
whenever she wished to have it cut, and he would
give her louis for it. This used to make her proud
and pleased, but she thought of it in differ
ent way In order to procure money for the assist
ance of the starving family, she went straight to
the hair dressers and put him in mind of his prom
Use, and offered to let him cut off all her pretty
locks for what he thought them worth.
Naturally surprised by such application, the
hair dresser, who was kind and intelligent man,
made inquiry into the cause of his young friends
visit. Her secret was easily drawn from her, and
it caused the hair dresser almost to shed tears of
pleasure. He feigned to comply with the condi-
ons proposed and gave the bargainer fifteen francs,
promising to come and claim his purchase at some
future day. The little girl then got basket bot
provisions, and set out on her errand of mercy
Before she returned the hair dresser had gone to
her mothers, found that lady had returned home,
and related to her the whole circumstances. So
that when the possessor of the golden tresses came
back she was gratfed by being received into the
open arms of her pleased and praising parent
When the story was told at the police Office by
the hair dresser, the abstraction of the loaf was
visited by no severe punishment. The singular
circumstances connected with the case raised many
friends to the artisan and his family, and he was
soon restored to health and comfort.