The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1855-08-22
Better than Diamonds.

| though the sun had been shining bright
ly, yet the long iciclcs hung from the
caves of the houses, aud the wheels
rumblcd loudly as they passed over the
ground. There was clear, bright look,
and cold, bracing feeling in tho air,
and keen northwest wind, which quick
ened every step. just then little child
came running along-a poor illclad child;
her clothes were scant and thread-bare ;
she had no cloak and no shawl, and her
| little bare feet looked rcd and suffering.
She could not have been more than eight
years old She carried bundle in her
hand Poor little shivering child I
piticd her. AS she passed me her foot
clipped, and she fell with a cry of pain ;
but she held the bundle tightly in her
hand, aud jumping up, although she
limped sadly, eddcavored to run as be-
fore.
Stop little girl--stopl" said sweet
voice and beautiful woman, wrapped
in huge shawl. and with furs around
her, cane out of a jewellers store close
by. = Poor little child p said she, are
You hurt ? sit down on this step and tell
me-"
How loved her, and how beautiful
the looked
o, | cannot" said tho little child,
cannot wait-I am in such hurry
| have been to the shoemakers, and
mother must finish this work to-night,or
she will get no more shoes to bindn
"To-night" said the beautiful woman,
tonight"
Yes" said the chld-for the stran-
gers kind manner had made her bold -
yes, for the great ball tonight and
these satin slippers must be spanglcd
and"
The beautiful woman took the bundle
from the cbild's baud and unroled it.
You do not know why her face flushed
aud then turned pale but I-yes, |
looked into the bundle, and on the inside
Of the slipper | saw name-a lady's
written, but | shall not tell it.
And where does your mother live,
little girl 2"
So the child 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 moth.
or sometimes cried because she had no
money TO buy milk for the little broth
or.
And then | saw the lady's eyes were
full OF tears and she rolled the bundle
up quickly and gave it back to the little
gfl but she gave her nothing else no,
not even sixpence and turning away
she went back into tho store from which
she bad just come out AS she went a
way | saw the glitter of diamond pin
Presently she came back, and stepping
into handsome carriage, rolled off
The iittle girl looked after her mo-
mont. aud with her little bare feet
colder than they were before, ran quick
ly away. aud in the same direction that
the carriage had gone.
went with the little girl. and saw
her to narrow, damp street, and into
small, dark room; | saw her mother
her sad, faded mother, but with her face
SO sweet 50 patient, husbing and sooth
ing sick baby And the baby slept,
aud the mother laid it on her lap The
bundle was then unrollcd, and dim
candle helped her with her work for
although it was not night yet, her room
was very dark. Them after while. she
kissed her little girl, and babe her warm
her poor frozen feet over the scanty fire
IN the CRATE, and gave her little piece
OF bread. for she had no more and heard
her say her evening prayer, folded her
tenderly to her bosom, blessed her. and
told her that the angels would take care
of her. And the little child slept and
dreamed-ah such pleasant dreams of
warm stockings and new shoes. But
the mother sewed alone and as the bright
spangles glittered on the satin slippers.
came there no repining into the heart ?
when she thought of her childs bare cold
'ect'and OF the scant morsel of dry bread,
that had not satisfied her hunger, came
visions Of bright room gorgeous cloth
ing, and table loaded with all that was
good, little of which spared to her
would give warmth aud comfort to her
humble Dwelling
]: such thoughts came, and others too
OF pleasant cottage, and of one who
had dearly loved her, and whose strong
arm bad kept want and trouble from her
and her bubea, but who could never
come back-if these thoughts did come
repinipgly, there also came another and
the widows hands were claspod and her
head bowed low, in deep contrition, as |
heard her say. " Father forgive me, for
thou doest all things well, and trust to
thee" Just then the door opened soft.
ly. and some one entered. Was il an
angel her dress was spotless white, and
she moved with a noseloss step. She
went to the bed where tho sleeping child |
lay, and covered it with soft warm blank.
cts. Then presently bright fire spark.
led and blazed there such as the little
CRATE had never known before. Then a
huge loaf was placed upon tho table, aud
fresh milk for the sick babe. Then sho
passed gently before the mother, and
drawing the unfinished slipper from hor
hand, placed there purse of gold, and
said 10 voice like music; BLESS thy
God. who is tho God of tho fatherless
aud the widow" and she was goue--only |
as sho went I heard her say, " Better
than diamonds % Whom could she
mean2 | looked to tho mother. With |