Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1855-01-25
nlisfeIldneolls.
THE GOLD COIN
" A STORY OF "HAPPY NEW YEAR"


ing ;-bracing though not biting-just cold
enough in truth to diffnse life and elasticity into
every one that moved.
There was little grl-a child of poverty,
on that new year 3 morning walking 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 difficulty move one before the other
Her checks shook at every step she 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. just like the last years wants, and last
year 3 suferings, were the wants and sunerings
Of this The change Of the year brought no
change in her condition with it. She was poor,
her mother was widow and an invalid, and
the child was poor bcggar!
In an old and choorless room cleaned no bright
fires Of anniversary. No evergreens, no wreaths,
no flowers, save few old withered ones, decked
her time-stained walls. There was no sound of
merry voices within the door to say to the Wild
ow Gray
"A happy new year to you Mrs. Gray"
Heaven seemed to have walled her and ber
abode out from the happiness that was all the
world on that festive day of the year. 1t had
provided to all Appearances, no congratulations,
no laughter, no gifts, no flowers for them
Why' Were they outcasts' Had they volun-
tarly shut themselves out from the sunlight of
tho living creatures around them No SHAME
take the world that it must be 80 answered for
them, Mrs Gray was poor!
Little Elsie stopped at times and breathed her
hot breath upon her blue and benumbed fingers,
and stamped her tiny feet in their easements
with all the force left in them and then big
tears stood trembling in her large blue eyes for
a moment, and rolled slowly down her purple
cheek, as if they would freeze to them. She
hath left her mother in bed, sick, exhausted
and furnishing What wonder that she cried
even though those hot tears only dripped on the
cold pavement. They might as well fall there
as anywhere; the many human hearts that pass
ed her were full as icy and harGensd.
She would have turned back to 60 home, but
she thought again Of her poor mother and went
on, though where to 60 she knew not. She was
to become street beggar Where would street
beggars go9 What streets are laid out and NAM
ed and numbered for them Surely, if not
home, then where should they go! 1t was this
thought that brought those crystal tears, that
startled those deep and impressibls sobs that
checked her instant utterancs
A young boy-a bright looking little fellow
CHANGED to pass her, as she walked and wcpt and
sobbed. lie caught the glitter of those tears ir
the sunshine, and the sight smote his ange
heart. He know not what want and suffering
were He had never known them hinsell-nev
er once heard Of them-know not even what
real beggar was He stopped suddenly befor
Elsie, and asked her the cause of those tears
She cond make no repIy-her heart was to-
full.
Has any one hurt you1 asked the feclinI
little fellow.
She shook her head negatively.
Have you lost your wayr he persisted.
NO., answered the. child, quite audibly.
! What is the matter then 2 he asked.
My mother is poor and sick, and am coli
and hungry We have nothing to eat. Gu
room is quite cold, and there is no wood for us
Oh, you do not know all
But will, replied the manly boy. Wher
do you live''
'Will you 60 with me y asked Elsie, her fac
frightening.
Yes, let me go with you. said he show IN
the way.
Through street, lane and alley she guide
him. They reached the door of the hoyel Tn
cold brsaths of the wind whistled in at the ere
vices, cracks and key-holes before them, as
inviting them in. They entered. A sick VIZ
man feeby raised her head from the pillow, an
gave a sweet smile. Elsie, have you come
she family said.
les, mother, answered thochild, 'and ha,
brought this boy with me | do not know WI
he is, but he said he wanted to come and 81
where we lived. Did do wrong to bring hin
motherr
No, my. child said the mother, 'if he know
how to pity you from his little heart tut
cannot pity me yet--he is not old enough
Ths bright-iaced sunny-hearted boy gazad
astonishment upon the mother and child. tt
scene was now to him. He wondered if this W
what they called poverty. His eye looked s.
upon the wasting mother, but they GLITTER
with wonder when turned towards Elsie. Su
denly they filled with tears. The want, the wo
the barrenness, the dcsolaton were all too mu,
for him lie shuddered at the cold uncoyer
floor. He sazcd mournfully into the emp
fire place His eyes wandered wondering y oy
the naked walls, looking SO uninyitingly al
ehecress. Putting his hand into his pocket
: graspcd the coin that his mother had that We
; morning given him, and drew it forth
; Yon may have that said he holding it 0
: to the child
A Oh, you are too good You are too gen,
+ Gus, fear = broke in the mother, as if she oug
. not to taksit from him.
. Mother will give me another if want i
said he, 1T will do you great deal of goc
n and don't need it and be was instantly go
o 1t was gold coin of the value of five dolla
IL Mother and child wept together. Then tt
s"lked Of the good boy whose heart had opeI