The Cecil Whig., 1855-01-13
The Rag-Piclcr's Neiress.
a Sketch OF TcSY Work.

''Ma-a tchis ~
There that eternal match girl again.
said good little bustling Mrs. Jclison as
She glanced up from the breakfast table,
where she was busily engaged in counting
and polishing up her silver, to the basement
window, where a child's nose had ilattencd
itself against Tic window pane on the outside
and pair of black, hungry eyes were peer
ing wisIfully into the room.
Come in," beckoncd Mrs. Jellison, un-
able to resist the little purple checks and
asking eyes of the child.
Il don't want any matches, 'muttcrcd the
little woman to herself as the child was en-
lcring the basement door and pattcring thro'
the entry. Il have a cord of them on hand
already. The little pcrscrveing wrctchcS
never will let Inc off without buy from
them. We'll, we'll see. So llctty, you're
back again to day. Do you think use
matches for oven wood g
please ma am, no."
where's your shoes, Ilctty, that gave
you the other day!"
"Grandmammy sold them"
"Sold them Why they were not worth
selling. What did she sell them for ("
"For money to get our supper. She al
ways sells everything. Ladies' gives me a
heap heap of things-shawls, and frocks,
and shocs-and grandmammy always sells
them"
Mrs. Jcllison looked down at the little,
naked, bleeding feet that were 50 black with
dirt and cut with the cold thai she could not
have Judge what the original color might
have been.
"Wcll, it's sin and n shame for your
grandmother to do so. Sit down and take a
cup of tea, and will 70 and see if Miss Julia
hasn't pair of old shoes thatll fit you"
The little, bustling housekccpcr placed be-
fore the child cup of tea and some buttcrcd
toast and remnants of beef steak, and left her
to her repast. She soon returned with shoes
and stockings in her hands, and pouring
some warm water in basin, she carefully
applied CASTLE soap to the little chappcd feet,
and washing end rnsing and wiping them,
she put on the stockings and shoes.
"Ihere; they fit you as though they were
made for you. Miss Julia has done with
them and you can have them. Now, if your
grandmother takes these away from you,
tell her that will complain other at the City
Hall. Bless my life, IIetty! !" continued the
little housctccpcr, pcering into the child S
tca-cup. "Bnt you arc born to great things,
You will yet ride in your own carriage, and
wear silk stockings and satin shocs,-gold
one if you choose,-instcad of going bare
| foot"
The child looked up in amazcmcnt and
awe at. the learned little woman who pro-
phcsie1 such good things to herself.
"There now you've got warm and have
had a nice breakfast, now wash your hands
and face and trot off. Above all things,
lIetty, keep your hands and face clean, or
when you grow up and get rich no one will
know whether you are white or black, the
dirt will get so ground in. You may come
and see me again in a day or two. did not
know why it was took such fancy to your
soft black eyes and timid manners, but Sc
now. you have destiny before You, child. II
isn't erery one that has that, for some live
and die rs they are, and no one ever hears CT
knows anything about them. So keep up a
brave heart, child. for as sure as my name
is Jellison, you have a destiny marked out
for you. There, come back, ] had like to
have forgotten, here is one of Miss Julia s
woollcn frocks that she has outgrown, and