Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-03-21
MISCELLANY.
Tnc Ll3,se Street Beggar.
pY GnoRan CANNING HILL.


The following Story is jewel We ask
for it careful peyusal from all our young
friends;
Il was the morning of a new year, that
had lust set in, bright, golden and beauti-
full The sun glrstened like jeweled RAJ
ment IN the cloudless sky. The Ginning
OF the silvery SQUADS OF the bells struck
iovfully upon the listener, in every street.
The air was cold, though not piercing; bra
cling though moi biting; just cold enough
in truth, to dilluse life and elasticity into
every one that moved.
There was little girl--a child OF power
ty, on that new years mornng-waiklns
the streets with the gay crowd that swept
past her. Her little feet had grown so
numb, encased only in thin shoes, and those
badly worn, that she could but with dittl-
culty move one before the other. Her
cheeks shook at every step she took, anu
her lips looked truly purple. Alas poor
Elsie Gray She was little beggar
Just like the old year was the new year
to her. Just like the last years wants, and
last years sufierings, were the wants and
suferings of this The change OF the year
brought no change in her condition with 1t.
She was moor, her mother was widow and
an Invalid and the child was poor beggar
In the old and cheerless room cleaned
no bright fires of anniversary. No ever
Greens, no wreaths, no flowers, save few
Old wilhered ones, decked her time-stained
walls. There was no sound of merry voices
within the door, to say to the Widow Gray
"A happy new year to you, Mrs. Gray
Heaven seemed to have walled her and
her abode out from the happiness that was
all the worlds on that festive day OF the
wear. 1t had provided to all appearances,
no concentrations, no laughter, no gifts,
no flowers for them. Why' Were they
outcasts Had they outraged their claims
on the wide worlds charity? Had they
voluntarily shut themselves out from the
sunlight of the living creatures around
them, Not shame take the world that 1t
must be so answered for them. Mrs. Gray
was poor >,
Little Elsie stopped at times and breathed
her hot breath upon her blue and benumoed
fingers, and stamped her tiny feet IN their
easements with all the force lett Ia them'
and then biz tears stood trembling IN her
LARGE blue eyes for a moment, and rolled
slowly down her purple cheeks, as II they
would freeze to them. She had lett her
mother in bed, sick. exhausted and tamlsh-
inr What wonder that she cried, even
though those hot tears only dripped on the
hot pavement. They might as well fall
there as elsewhere; the many human
hearts that passed her were full as icy and
hardened,
She wonld have turned back to 90 home,
had she thought again Of her poor mother,
and went on though where to 90 she knew
NOT. She was to become a street beggar.
Where should street beggars go! What
streets are laid out and named and num-
bered for them? Surely, if not home, then
where should they go? 1t was this thought
that brought those crystal tears, that star
tied those deep and irrepressible sobs that
checked her instant utterance.
A Young boy--a bright looking little fell
low-chanced 70 pass her, as she walked
and wept and sa5bed. He caught the gllt'
ter of those tears in the sunshine, and the
sight smote his angel heatt He knew not
What want and suffering were. He had
never known them himself-never once
le1tu OF tuem-KneW not even "Hd' q lN"'
beggar was. He stopped suddenly before
Elsie, and asked her the cause OF those
tears. She could make no rep'y-her
heart was too full
HAS any one hurt yop?" asked the feel
ing little fellow.
She shook her head negatively,
Have you lost your way :" he persist
ed.
"NO," answered the child quite audibly.
"What Is the matter, then ;" he asked
"Mother is poor and sick. and am cold
and hungry. We have nothing to eat
Our room is quite cold, and there is no
wood for us. Oh you do not know all"
"But roU," replied the manly boy
"Where do you live
oWill YOU 60 with me 2 asked Elsie, her
face frightening >,
eyes, let me go with you" said he
"show ne the way"
Through street, lane and alley she guld-
ed hin. They reached The door OF the
hoyel. The cold breath Of the wInd Wits