Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1855-05-31
VOL. TX.
additional warmth without the drawback of

public peace, as they stood at their appointed
stations, to wrap their overcoats more closely
about them. On many a hearth the fire blazed
brightly, in composed defiance of their insidi-
Gus visitor who shuns the abodes of opulence,
but forces his unwelcome entry into the habi-
tations of the poor.
A child, thinly clad, was roaming through
the streets. Every gust as it swept along,
chilled her through and through, and at length,
unable TO go farther, she sank down at the
portal of Martin Hendricks dwelling. Ex-
treme cold gave her courage, and with tremb-
ling hand she lifted the huge knocker. 1t fell
from her nerveless grasp, and the unwonted
sound penetrated into the room where Martin
sat covering over his feeble fire. He was
startled-terriied even-as that sound came
TO his ears echoing through the empty rooms
in the old house,
Who-can it be Robbers!' thought he,
as he walked to the door. Il will wait and
see if it be repeated
1t was repeated.
who's there!' he exclaimed, in some
what tremulous voice, as he stood with his
hand upon the latch.
8 It's me said low, shivering voice from
without.
And who's me-
Floy, little Floy,' was the answer.
And what do YOU want here at this time
of nightl'
I'm freezing. Let me come in and sit by
the fire, if only for moment. shall die up
on your steps,
The old man deliberated.
You're sure you're not trying TO get in
after my money-what little havel There
isn't anybody with you, is there q
'No one. There is only me. o, sir, do
let me in! I am so cold .
The bolt was cautiously withdrawn, and
Martin. opening crack, peered forth suspi-
-ciously, But the only object that met his
gaze was little girl, ten years of age, crouch
ing on the steps in way to avail herself of
all the natural warmth she had
'Wil you let me come in p said she, i'm
ploringly.
You had better go somewhere else. l
haven't much of a fire. don't keep much,
it burns out fuel so fast You had better 90
where they keep better fires
20, sir, the least fire will relieve me so
much, and I havn't strength to gosny farther
Well, you may come inf you're sure
you havn't come to steal anything
never steal; it's wicked
'Umph Well, hope you'll remember
it. This is the way
lie led her into little room which he oc-
cupied. She sprang to the fire, little inviting
as it was, and eagerly spread out both hands
before it. She seemed actually to drink in
the heat, scaniy as it was, so welcome did it
prove to her chilled and benumbed limbs.
A touch Of humanity came to the miser, or,
perhaps his own experience of the cold stimu-
lated him to the act. for, after few moments
deliberation, ne took two sticks from the pile
of fuel, and threw them npon the fire. They
cracked and burnt, ditfnsing for time, a
cheerful warmth about the apartment. The
little girl looked up gratefully, and thanked
him for what she regarded as an act of kind
ness to herself.
FUELS high, very high, and it takes fear
ful quantity to keep The fire going
Bat what pleasant fire it makes, said
the little girl, as she looked at the flames curl
ing alof.
Why, yes said Martin, in a soliloquizing
tone, sit is comfortable, but it wouldn't do TO
have it burn so bright. 1t would ruin me
completely
Then you are poor 2 said the little girl,
looking about the room. The furniture was
scanty, consisting only of the most indspensa-
bic articles, and those of the cheapest kind
They had all been picked up at second hand
stores for little or nothing.
1t was no wonder that Floy asked the ques-
ton. Nevertheless, the miser looked suspi-
ciously at her as if there was some covert
meaning in her words. But she looked so
openly and frankly at him, as quite to disarm
any suspicious he might entertain.
FPoorl' he at length answered. Yes, I
am, or should be if l plunged into extrava-
giant living, and expenses of every kind and
he looked, half regretfully at the sticks which
had burned OUT and were now smouldering
in the CRATE.
Well,' said Floy, l am poor, too, and so
were father and mother. But think am
poorer than yoa, for have no home at all, no
house to live in, and no fire to keep me warm.
Then where do you live g asked the miser.
4 don't live anywhere said the child
simply.
But where do you stayl'
Where | can. | generally walk about the
streets in-he day time, and when l feel cold
l go into some store to warm myself They
don't always let me stay long. They call me
ragged, and a beggar. l suppose, she CON
tinued, casting glance at her thin dress
which in some places was torn and dirty, from
long wearing, | suppose it's all true, but
can't help it,.
Where do you think of going tonight |!
asked Martin. abruptly.
l don ! Know. haven't any place to gC