Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1855-03-28
ONLY A FEW PENNIES.

"Only few pennies" come In hollow tones
from the quivering lips of wretched looking
woman, who had grasped the cloak of richly
dressed lady, rs she came out from one of our
fashionable stores on Main street, few days
since-"--for the love Of God don't say no, or
my poor fatheress children will starye." The
lady, q won't call her C0man) turned inpatient
ly 10 relieve her dress from the beggars grasp,
and her eye fell full upon mine, and what she
might have read in the expression, cannot tell,
but her hasty gestures were instantly sobered
into the most perfect romposure, as she inquired,
why don't you work?
"Heaven knows would not stop to beg if
could get tive seen better days, ma'am."
"Al beggars have" replied the lady, snpercill-
iously.
The cheek of the woman redened at this init
nation of untruth and raising her little etnaca.
ted hand to dash away the tears, both our eyes
fell on the massive marriage ring, which assured
us she had spoken the truth.
ga gold ring you beg with gold on your
finger--yUu are an aristocraic beggar." and
the speaker laughed at the idta,-and such a
laugh as made me sliiyer with its very cold
ness. '''-'
81 can't part with this" and she placed the
back of the hand with the ring, lovingly to her
The frr-enveloped lady cast her soulless eyes
upon mine, and said "She is a sentimental beg
gar, she won't starve," and stepping gaily into
her splendid sleigh, seemed entirely unconscious
of all the wotld excep: herself. -''
a few hurried steps brought me to the beg
gars side, and laying my hand upon her arm,
She looked up, and bursting into tears, sobbed
out, How cruel woman can be TO woman w--
Her hands grasped at the little had to give
her-would it were more-while the fervent
" God save you," was, perhaps, the prayer which
will open for me the gates of Paradise. If my
scanty purse was lighter, SO was my heart, and
the little lent, was already returned q hundred
fold. .Fe' l.
Yes, "woman is cruel to woman" and the
poor of our sex must lose all the holiest emo
tons Of womanhood, before she can receive our
sympathies-she must forget that her life was
! beauiiied by love--she must part with all that
binds her poor crushed spirit with even the re-
meinbrance Of happiness, before she can have the
morsel of bread that will keep her soul in its
weary tenement. orr EfIi1gEg
Grim Want, with its grasping fingers, must
clutch at every thing that makes her human, be.
fore she is entitled to the smallest share of that
over which our Heavenly Father has placed us
as stewards.
Whose fault is it, that the seekers for our aid
arc stepped in fasehood and duplicity? lfthey
tell their real condition, the co!d-hearted and
selfish call their wants imaginary, and they en-
large upon reality to meet their bearers ideas OF
suffering. For shame! to call woman senti.
mental, and unworthy Of "few pennies foI
Gods sake,"s because, forsooth, "she had moi
parted with her marriage ring"
Was there nothing beautiful in the tenderness
with which she lifted that little brown hand tc
her lips to kiss the golden token of love" which
binds till death" ,...
When the night shadowed her eyes and spirit
and hid those little pale sleepers, that tiny RING
, had been the charm which conjured up the bless
ed memories of sunny days, and rolled for lit
lie hour the great weight Of ofsorrow,cold and hun
ger, from off her heart, and made her stronger tC
endure the present. She forgot eragony Will,
these balowed remembrances lowered about he
like whte-winged angels ofpeace, whispering o
long ago." when -, ~, .-....r
The young years buds were nesting close
Amid the brides dark treSses, , ir ,-l,-
And gentle tones, a blessing called -.
: AS only once love blesses.
A tiny golden circlet cleaned q 17y .r..sI
Upon her tiny finger, tu.lr. t..t.....
And round her way, the sunlight beamed,
| AS though ii loved to linger.s
But Hopes joyous carol had died to mourn
ful echo-Love had been shadowed by the darl
wing of death--beauty had faded with grief, an,
grown furrowed by tears,,and yet there was on
green spot untouched within the heart of thi
poor sorrowing sister--one little place wher
she could sun her saddened soul in the love-ligh
of life's spring-tiIne. -, 'ie
Verify had. rather be Lazarus than Dives.