Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1855-06-08

Sh"h hNoiNi w NuN htNs W ~ outisutu
that this would produce the additional
warmth without the drawback of ex.
ponse.
II was. indeed, cold night. The
chill blasts swept with relentless rigor
through the streets sending travellers
home with quickened pace. and caus-
ing tho guardians Of the public peace.
as they stood at their appointed sta
tons, TO wrap their oyercoats more
closely about them. On many hearth
the FIRE blazed brightly, in composed
defiance Of their insiduous visitor who
shuus the abodes of opulence. but for
ccs his unwelcome entry into the habi-
tations Of the poor.
child. thinly clad. was roaming
through the streets. Every gust as Il
swept along chilled her through and
through. and, at length. unable to go
farther, size sank down nj the portal Of
Martin Hendricks dwelling. Extreme
cold gave her courage, and with trem-
bling hand she lifted the huge knock
er. II fell from her nervelcss grasp.
and the unwonted sound penetrated
into the room where Martin sat COVER
ing over his feeble fire. He was
startled-even terrifod-as that sound
came to his ears echoing through the
empty rooms in the old house.
Who can it be? Robbers? thoight
he, MS he walked towards the door,
| will wait and see il IL be repeated
IL was repeated.
Who's there? he exclaimed, in n
somewhat tremulous voice. rs he stood
with his hand upon the latch.
It's me. said low. shivcring voice
from without.
And who's me.
Floy, little Floy, was the answer.-
And what do you want here at this
time Of night?
j am freezing. Let me como in and
sit by your fire. il ,nly for moment, |
shall die upon your steps.
The old man delibcrated.
You're sure you're not trying to get
in after my money-what little /
hayeY There isn't anybody with you,
is there?
No onel There is only me.-Oh.
sir, do let me in. Oh! am so coldl
The bolt was cautiously withdrawn,
and Martin. opening n crack. peercd
forth suspiciously. But the only OBJ
ject that met his gaze, was a little
girl. Of ten years Of age. crouching
on the steps in way to avail herself OF
all the natural warmth she had.
Will you let me come in? said she,
imPlorin,gly,,
You had better 90 somewhere else.
haven't much Of fire. don't
keep much. II burns out fuel so fast
You had better so where they keep
better fires.
o. sir, tho least FIRE will relieve me
so much. and hav'nt strength. to go
any farther.
Well. you may come inf you are
sure, you haven't come to steal any
thing.
| never steal. its wicked.
Umphl Well, l hope you'll remcm-
berit This is the wayl
He led her into little room which
he occupied. She sprang to the fire.
little inviting as il was and eagerly
spread out both hands before it. She
seemed actually TO drink in the heat.
scanty rs it was; so welcome did il
prove, to her chilled and benumbed
limbs.
A touch OF humanity came 10 the
miser, or, perhaps, his own experience
OF the cold stimulated him TO the act,
for. few moments delberation, lie
took two sticks from the pile of fuel
and threw them upon the fire. They
cracked and burnt. diffusing for a
time, cheerful warmth about the
apartment. The little girl looked up
gratefully. and thanked him for what
she regarded, rs an act of kindness to
herself.
FUELS high, very high, and it takes
a fearful quantity to keep the fire 60
ing.
But what pleasant fire il makes,
said the little girl, rs she looked at the
flames curling aloit.
Why yes, said Martin, in a solilo-
quizing tone. tits comfortable, but
It wouldn't do to have it burn so
bright. 1t would ruin me completely.
Then you are poor? said the little
girl, looking about the room. The fur
niture was scanty, consisting only Of
the most indispensable articles, and
those of the cheapest kind. They had
been all picked up at second hand
stores for little or nothing.
1t was no wonder that little Floy
asked the question. Nevertheless. the
miser looked suspiciously at her as If
there was some covert meaning in
her words. But she looked so open
ly and frankly at him, as quite to
disarm any suspicious lac might enter
tain.
Poor? he at length answered. Yes
| am, or should be if l plunged into ex-
travagant living. and expenses of eve-
ry kind" and he looked, half regret
fully at the sticks which had burned
out, and were now smouldering in the
CRATE.
Well, said Floy, am poor, too,
and so were father and mother. But
think am poorer than you, for
. have no home at all, no house to
live in, and no fire to keep NE warm.
Then where do you live? asked the
miser.
| don't live anywhere, said the child
simply.
. But where do you stay.
Where can. l generally walk
about the streets in the day time, and
when / feel cold l go into some store
, to warm myself. They don't always
let me stay long. They called me
ragged, and IA beggar, l suppose, she
: continued. casting glance at hen
! thin dress which in some places was
. torn and dirty, from long wearing.
I suppose it's all true, but cant hell
, it,