True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1855-12-05
SflistelIang.
A BEAUTIFUL STORY.


winters day. There had been rain and
although The sun had been shining bright
ly, yet the long icicles hung from the
caves of The house, and the wheels rum
bled loudly as they passed over the ground.
There was a clear, bright look, and cold
bracing feeling in the air, and a keen,
northwest wind, which quickened every
step. Just then little child came run
ming along-a poor i'll clad child her
clothes were scant and thread bare; she
had no cloak and no shawl, and her lii
tie bare feet looked red and SUFFERING
She carried bundle in her hand. Poor
little shivering child. Even |, who could
do nothing else, pitied her. As she pas
sed me her foot slipped, and she fell with
cry of pain; but she held The bundle
tightly in her hand, and jumping up, al
though she limped sadly, endeavored to
run on as before.
Stop, little GIRL said sweet voice ;
and beautiful woman, wrapped in huge
shawl and with frs around her, came out
off jewelers. store, close by. Poor lit
tie chiId,' she said, are you hurt? Sit
down on this step and tell me-
How loved her, and how beautiful
she looked!
'Oh, | cannot said the child, 4 cam
not wat--I am in such hurry. have
been to the shoemaker's, and mother must
finish Them tonight, or she will never
gel any more shoes to bind
''ro-night!' said the beautiful woman,
tonight?
'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 chiId's hand and unrolled it,
You do not know why her face flushed
and then turned pale. but |, yes |, looked
in the bundle, and on the inside of slip
per | saw name-a lady y'sname written,
but | shall not tell it.
'And where does your mother live, lit
tie girl!'
So the liule girl told her where, and
then she told her that her father was dead;
and that her little brother was sick, and
that her mother bound shoes that they
might have bread; but that sometimes
they were very cold, and that her mother
sometimes cried because she had no mon-
ey 10 buy milk for her little brother.-
And then | saw that the lady's eyes were
full of tears and she rolled up the bun
die 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 away,
saw the glitter Of a diamond pin. Pres
emily she came back, AMI stepping into a
handsome carriage rolled of. The little
girl looked after her moment, and then
with her little bare feet, colder than they
were before, ran quickly away.
went with the little girl, and | saw
her go to narrow damp street, into
small dalk room; | saw her moiher-her
sad, faded mother, but with face so pa
tient--hushing and soothing a sick b.by
And the baby slept and the mother laid
it on her lap; and The bundles were un-
rolled, and a dim candle helped her with
her work: for though it was not night,
yet her room was very dark. Then, af-
ter a while, size kissed the lille girl, and
had her walm hes poor frozen feet over
the scanty fire in the CRATE, and gave her
little piece Of bread, for she had no
more and then she heard her say her
evening prayer, and folding her tenderIy
10 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
sewed alone, and as tile bright spangles
gliitered on the satin slippers, came there
no repining into the heart? When she
thought Of her child's bare, cold feet, and
Of the scant morsel of bread which had
not satisfied her hunger, came there no
visions Of bright room and gorgeous
clothing, aud table loaded with all that
was good and nice, little portion of
which spared to her would send warmth
and comfort to her humble dwelling!
Ifsuch thoughts came, and others of a
pleasant cottage, and of one who had dear.
ly loved her, and whose strong arm had
kept want and trouble from her and her
babes. but who could never come back
if these thoughts did not come repiningly,
there also came another and the widows