Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1855-03-14
8fautiful Stotp.
THE LITTLE STREET BEGGAR,
TIE GOLDEN COIN.

-
The following story is jewel. We ask
for it careful perusal from all our young
friends.
1t was the morning of a new year, that
had just set in, bright, golden aud beautiful.
The sun slistened like jewel!ed rament in
the cloudless sky The Ginning of the sill
very sounds Of the bells struck joytully upon
the listener in every street. The air was
cold, though not piercing: bracing though
not biting; Just could enough in truth, to
difuse life aud elasticity into every one that
moved
There was little girl-a child of poverty,
on that new years morning-walking the
streets with the gay crowd that swept past
her. He little feet had grown so numb, en-
castd only in thin shoes and those badly
worn, that she could but with difficulty move
one before the other Her checks shook at
every step size took, and her lips looked
truly purple. Alas poor Elsie Gray! She
was little beggar!
Just like the old year was the new year
to her, Jus, like the last years wants, and
last years suffering were the wants and sul.
feriug of this !-l'he change in the year
brought no change in her condition with it.
She was poor, her mother was widow aud
an invalid, and the child was poor beggar !
In the old and cherries room cleaned no
bright fires of anniversary. No evergreens,
no wreaths, no flowers, save few old with.
cred ones, decked her times stained walls
There was no sound Of merry voice within
the poor, to say to the Widow Gray
" \ happy new year 10 YOU, Mrs. Gray"
Heaven seems 10 have walled her and her
abode out from the happiness that was all
the worlds on that festive day Of the year.
1t had provided to all appearances, no con.
gratuIa,ions, no laughter, no gifts, no flowers
for them. Why! Were they outeasts {!
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? No! shame take
the world that it must be so answered Tor
them. Mrs. Gray was poor
Little Elsie stopped at tim IS and breathed
her hot breath upon her blue beuumed fin.
gers, and stamped her tinv feet in their case
ments with all the force left in them, and
then the big tears stood trembling in her
large blue eyes for a moment, and rolled
slowly down her purple cheeks, as if they
would freeze to them. She had left her
mother in bed, sick, exhausted and famish
ing What wonder that she cried, even
though those hot tears only dripped on the
hot pavement. They nigh, as well fall
there as elsewhere; the many human hearts
that passed her were full as icy and hardened
She would have turned back to 90 home
but she thought again Of her poor mother,
and went on, though where to 90 she knew
rot She was to become street beggar
Where should street beggars go9 What
streets are laid out and named and numbered
for them? Surely, if not home, then where
should they go! 1t was this thought that
brought those crystal tears. that checked
her instant utterance.
A young boy-a bright looking little fel,
low chanced to pass her, as she walked and
wept and sobbed. He caught the glitter of
those tears in the sunshine, and the sight
smote his angel heart. He knew not what
want and suffering were. He had never
known them himself-never once heard of
them-knew not what real beggar was
He stopped suddenly before Elsie, and
asked her the cause Of those tears She
could make no reply-her heart was too
full
Has any one hurt you? ?' asked the feel
ing little fellow.
She shook her head negatively.
;" Have you lost your way?" he persisted.
NO." answered the child quite sudibly.
g 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"
7" But | 1ciH," replied the manly boy.
Where do you live !'
VIII yon go with me 2" asked Elsie, her
face frightening.
-" Yes, let me 60 with you" said he
"show me the way"
Through street, lane and ally, she guided
him. They reached the door of the hovel.
The cold breath of the wind whistled in the
cracks and creyices, and key-holes before
them, as if invited them in. They entered
A sick woman feebly raised her head from