Burlington tri-weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1852-1855, 1855-01-27
A BEAUTIFUL STOR

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wheels rumbled loudly as they passed over
the ground. There was a clear, bright look,
and cod, bracnr feeling in the air, and q
keen northwest wind, which quickcned every
step. Just then little child came running
along-a poor, ill-cad child; her clothes
were scant and tlIreadbare; 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 car
ried bundle in her hand. Poor little shiv
ering child! !, even |, who could do moth
ing else, pitied her. As she passed me her
/ foot slipped, and 81 fell with cry of pain
but she held the bundle tightly in her hand,
and jumping up, although she limped sadly,
endeayored to run on as before.
sStop, little girl, ssop,'' said sweet
voice, and a beautiful woman, wrapped in
huge shawl, and with furs around her, came
out of jewelers. store close by. ssPoor lit
tie child,o she said, care you hurt? Sit
down on this step and tell me-"
How loved her, and how beautiful she
looked!
s.Oh, cannot.' said the little chill, 'l
cannot watt am in such hurry. have
been to tho shoemaker's, and mother must
finish this work to night, or she will never
get any more shoes to bind.''
r. 'IO-nignt! SalQ the beautiful woman,
/ ssto night 20
eyes, said the child-for the Strangers
kind manner had made her bold-ssyes, for
the ball tonight; and those satin slippers
must be spanglcd; and"
The beautiful woman took the bundle from
the cLild's hand and unrolcdit. You DO not
know why her face flushed and then turned
pale, but |, yes |, looked in the bundle, and
on the inside Of slipper | saw a name-a
llady's name--written, but | shall not tell it.
'sAnd where does your mother live, little
girls"
So the child told her where, and then she
told her that her father was dead; and that
h little brother was sick, and that hor moth
er bound shoes that they might have bread;
bat that sometimes they were very cold, and
that her mother sometimes cried because she
had no money to buy milk for her little bro
Their. AMI then | saw that the lady's eyes
were full Of tears; and she rolled up the
bundle quickly and gave it back to the little
girl; bat she gave her nothing else-no, not
even 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. Presently shd came back,
and stepping into handsome carriage, rolled
off. The little girl looked after her for a
moment, and then with hr 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 small dark
room; saw her mother-her sad, faded mo-
Their, but with face SO sweet, so patient
bushlng and soothing sick tabv. And the
baby slept and the mother laid it on her lap;
and the bundle was unrolled, AMI a dim can
die helped her with her work; for though it
was not night, Vt her room was very dark.
Then, after a while, she kissed her little girl.
and babe her warm her poor frozen feet over
the scanty fire in the CRATE, and gave hel a
little piece of bread, for she had no more;
ard then she heard her say her evening pray
er, and folding her tenderly to her bosom,
blessed her, and told her that the ngels
would take care Of her. And the little child
slept and dreamed-Oh! such pleasant dreams
of warm stockings and new shoes, bat the
mother sewcd alone, and as the bright span
giles gLttered on the satin slippers, came there
no repining into her heart? When she tho't
of her chllds bare, cold feei, and Of the
scant morse of dry bread which had not sat-
listed her hunger, came there no visions Of
bright room and gorgeous clothing, and
table loaded with ali that was good and nice,
a little portion OF which spared to her would
send warmth and comfort to her humble dwell
| ling?
If such thoughts came, and others of
pleasant cottage, and of one who had dearly
loved her, anu whose strong arm had kept
want and trouble from her aud her babes.
but who could never come back-.f these
! thoughts did come rcpiningly, there also
came another; and the widows hands were
clasped and her head bowed low, in deep
contrition, as head her say, ssFather for
give mr., for thou doest all things well, and |
will trust to thee" just then the door opar-
ed softly, and some one entered. Was il an
angel? ler head was of spotless white, and
she moved with a noiseless step. She went
to the bed where the sleeping child lay, and /
covered it with soft warm blankets. Then
presently tire spa killed. and blazed there.
such as the little CRATE had mover known be- |
fore. Then a huge loaf was placed upon the
table, and fresh milk for the sick babe. Then
she passed gently before the mother and
drawing the unfinished slipper from her hand,
placed there purse Of gold, and said in a
voice like music: s'Bless thy God, wbo Is the
God of the fatherless, AMI the vidov''-and
she was gone, only, rs she went out heard
her say, shelter than diamonds better than
diamonds Who could she mean? look
ca a. tiie nosuer. WIN ciaspeu hands and
Streaming eyes, she blessed her God, who
had sent an angel to comfort her. SO / went
too; and went to bright room. where
there was music and dancing, and sweet
flowers; and saw young happy faces, and
beautifully dressed, and sparkling with jew
els; but none that knew, until one passed
me whose dress was Of simple white with
only a rosebud on her bocom, and whose
voice was like the sweet sound Of a silver
Lutte. No spangled slipper was on her foot