The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1855-02-03
A Beautiful story---Better than Diamonds.

A Beautiful Story---Better than Diamonds.
Twas standing in the broad. crowded street
of a large city. It was q cold winters day.
There had been rain; and although the sun had
been shining brightly, yet the long icicles hung
from the caves of the houses, and the wheels
rumbled loudly as they passed over the ground
There was clear, bright look, and cold bra
cling feeling in the air, and keen, northwest
wind, which quickened every step. Just then
little child came running along-a poor, ill
clad child; her clothes were scant and thread
bare; she had no cloak and no shawl, and her
little bare feet looked red and suffering. She
could not have been more than eight years old.
She carried bundle in her hand. Poor little
shivering child! !, even /, who could do moth
ing else, pitied her. AS she passed me her foot
slipped, and she fell with cry OF pain; but
she held the bundle tightly in her hand, and
jumping up, although she limped sadly, endea-
vored to run on as before.
"Stop, little girl, stop" said sweet voice;
and a beautiful woman, wrapped in huge
shawl and with furs around her, came cut of a
jewelers. store close by. "Poor little child,''
she said, 'are you hurt Sit down on this step
and tell me'
How lovcu her, and how beautiful she look
ed!
ooh! cannot" said the little child, II can
not wait-I am in such hurry have been
to the shoemaker's, and mother must finish this
work tonight. or she will never get any more
shoes to bind"
Tonight" said the beautiful woman, "to-
night"
YES" said the child-for the strangers
kind manner had made her bold-"yes, for the
great ball tonight and these satin slippers
must be spangled; and
The beautiful woman took the bundle from
the child's hand and unrolled it. You do moi
know why her face flushed, and then turned
pale; but !, yes, l, looked into the bundle and
on the inside OF slipper 1 saw name-a la
days namc-written, but shall not tell it.
'.And where does your mother live, little
girlg''
So the child told her where, and then she
told her that her father was dead; and that hel
little brother was sick, and that her mother
bound shoes that they might have bread; but
that sometimes they were very cold and thai
her mother sometimes cried because she had nc
money to buy milk for her little brother. And
tears; and she rolled up the bundle quickly and
gave it back to the little girl; but she gave
her nothing else-nO, not even a siXpence, and
turning away, went back into the store, from
which she had just come out. AS she went a
way saw the glitter of a diamond pin. Pre-
sently she came back, and stepping into hand
some carriage, rolled off. The little girl look
ed after her for moment, and then with heI
little bare feet, colder than they were before
ran quickly away.
went with the little girl. and saw her to
a narrow damp street, and into a small dark
room. saw her mother-her sad, faded moth
er, but with face SO sweet, so patient-hush
ing and soothing sick baby. And the baby
slept, and the mother laid it on her lap; and the
buHdle was unrolled; and dim candle helped
her with her work; for though it was not night
yet her room was very dark. Then after awhile
she kissed her little girl, and babe her warm
her poor frozen feet over the scanty fire in the
CRATE; and gave her little piece of bread, fol
she had no more; and then she heard her say
her evening prayer, and folding her tendcrly to
her bosom. blessed her, and told her that the
angels would take care of her. And the little
child slept and dreamed-Oh such pleasant
dreams-of warm stockings and new shoes; but
the mother scwed alone; and as the bright
spangle glittered on the satin slippers, came
there no repining into her heart? When she
thought other child's bare, cold feet, and of the
scant morsel Of dry bread which had not salts
fled her hunger came there no visions of a
bright room and gorgeous clothing, and a ia
BILE loaded with all that was good and nice, a
little portion of which spared to her would send
warmth and comfort to her humble dwelling!
Ii such thoughts came, and others of pleas.
ant cottage, and of one who had dearly loved
her, and whose strong arm had kept want and
trouble from her and her bah s, but who could
never come back-if these thoughts did not
come repiningly, there also came another; and
the widows hands were clasped and her head
bowed low, in deep contrition, as head her say
"Father, forgive me, for thou docst all things
we'll, and l will trust to thee" Just then the
door opened softly, and some one entered
Was it an angel? Her head was of spotless
white, and she moved with nOiseless STEP She
went to the bed where the sleeping child lay
and covered itwith soft blankets. Then pres
emily fire sparkled and blazed there, such as
the little CRATE had never known before. Then
a huge loaf was placed upon the table, and fresh
milk for the sick babe. Then she passed gent
ly before the mother, and drawing the unfinish
ed slipper from her hand. placed there purse
of gold, and said in voice like music: "Bless
thy God, who is the God of the fatherless and
the widow'-and she was gone; only, as she
went out heard her say, "better than dia.
mOnds." Who could she mean? / looked at
the mother With clasped hands and stream
ing eyes, she blessed her God who had sent an
angel to comfort her. So 1 went too; and
went to bright room, where there was music
and dancing. and sweet flowers; and l saw
young happy faces, and beautifully dressed, and
sparkling with jewels; but none that 1 knew,
until one passed me whose dress was of simple
white with only rosebud on her bosom, and
whose voice was like the sweet sound of silver
lutte. No spangled slipper was On her FOOT but
she moved as one that treadeth upon the air,
and the divine beauty of holiness had so glori-
fed her face, that felt as 1 gazed upon her
that she was indeed an angel of God.
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