The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1856-06-28
5turp for CHILDREN.
THE GOLD COIN;
OR THE LITTLE STREET BEGGAR.
BY GEoxGE CANNING HILL.


just set in, bright. golden, and beautiful. The
sun glistencd like jewellcd raimcnt in the
cloudlcsS sky. The Ginning of the sivery
sounds Of the bells struck joyfully upon the
listener in every street. The air was cold,
though not piercing:-bracing though not
biting-ijust cold enough, in TRUTH to ditfuse
life and elasticity into every one that moved
There was a little girl--a child of poverty,
on that new years morning walking the
streets with the gay crowd that swept past
her. Her little feet had grown so numb, en-
cased only in thin shoes, and those so badly
worn, that she could but with difficulty move
one before the other. Her cheeks shook at
every step she took, and her lips looked truly
purple. Alas! poor Elsie Gray! She was
| litlc beggar!
| Just like the old year was the new year to
her. Just like the last years warts, and last
years sufferings were the wants and suffer-
ings 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 beggar!
In the old and chcerlcss room cleaned no
bright fires Of anniversary. No cvergrecns,
no wItaths, no flowers, save few cold
withered Ones dccked her time stained walls.
There was no sound of merry voices within
the door, to say to the Widow Gray
"A happy new year to you, Mrs. Gray"
Heaven seemed to 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 congrat-
uations, 10 laughter. no gifts, no flowers,
for them. Why? Were they outcasts! Had
they outraged their claims on the wide world S
charities! Had they voluntarily shut them
selves out from the sunlight of the living
creatures around them! No SHAME take
the world that it must be so answered for
them. Mrs. Gray was poor
Little Elsie stopped at times and brcathe1
her hot breath upon her blue AMI bcnumbed
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 checks, as if they would
freeze to them She had 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 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 were to 90 she knew not.
She was to become a street hcggar. Where
would street bcegars go! 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 started those deep and IT.
repressiblc sobs that checked her instant ut
| terance.
A young boy--a bright looking little fellow
~, to hos. IL. I
wcpt, and sobbcd. lie caught the glitter of
smote his angel heart. lie knew not what
want and suffering WERE lie had never
known them hlnsclf-nevcr once heard of
was. He stopped suddenly before Elsie, and
make 10 reply her heart was too full.
Has any one hurt you?" asked the feeling
little fellow.
She shook her head negatively.
"IIavc you lost your way!" he persisted.
"What is the matter, them" he asked
''Nlothcr is poor and sick, and am co Id
and hungry. We have nothing to eat. Our
room is quite cold, and there is no wood for
us. o! you do not know ALL"
But I wiR,'' replied the manly boy,
Where do youlive?"
"Wl you 90 with me?" asked Elsie, her
face frightening
Yes, let me go with you," said he; "show
me the way"
Through street. lane, and alley she guided
him. They reached the door of the howell
The cold breath of the wind whistled in at
the cracks, and crcvices, and key-hol be-
fore them. as if inviting them in. They en-
tered. A sickly woman fcebly raised her
head from the pillow, and gave her a sweet
smile. Elsie, have you comet" she family
said.
"Ies, mother" answered the child "and
| have brought this boy with me. | do not
know who he is, but he said he wanted to
come and see where we live. Did do wrong
to bring him, mothci!"
"No, my child,' said the mother, "if he
knows how to pity yon from his little heart:
but he cannot pity me yct-he is not old
enough"
The brght-faced, sunny hearted boy gazed
i'll establishment upon the mother and child
The scene was new to him. He wondered if
this was what they called poverty. His eyes
looked sad upon the wasting mother, but they
glittercd with wonder when turned towards
Elsie. Suddenly they filled with tears The
want, the woe, the barronncss, the desolation
were all too much for him. He shuddercd at
the cold, uncovered floor. He gazed mourn
fully into the empty fireplace. His eyes
wandered wonderingly over the naked walls,
looking so uninvitingly and cherries. Put
ting his hand in his pocket he graspcd the
coin that his mother had that very morn given
him and drew it forth.
You may have that said he holding it
out to the child.
30, you are too good You are too gene
rous, fear.' broke in the mother, as if she
ought not to take it from him.
Mother will give me another ifI want it, "
said he. 1T will do you great deal ofgood,
and don't need it. Take it; take it; you
shall take it !" and he was instantly gone.
1t was gold coin Of the value Of five dol
lars.
Mother and child wept together. Then
they talked of the good boy who Sc heart had
opened for them on this New Years day.
Then they let their fancies run. and grow
wild, and 'evc. as they chose. They look ed
at the glistening piece. There was bread
and fuel, and clothing, and every comfort in
it's depths. They continued to gaze upon it.
Now they saw within its rim pictures Of de-
light and joy; visions of long rooms all
wIeathcd and decorated with evergrcens and
flowers; visions of smiling faces and happy