Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1856-06-19
Better than Diamonds.
A BEAUTIFUL STORY.

Better than Diamonds.
BEAUTIFUL STORY.
| was standing in the broad, crowded street of
u large city. ltwasa cold winters day. There
had been ,ain; and although the sun had been
shining brightly, yet the long icicles hung from
the caves of the houses, and the wheels rumbled
loudly as they passed over the ground. There
was clear, bright look, and cold, bracng feel
ing in the air, and a keen, northwest wind,
which quickened every step. Just then little
child came running along-apoor ill,clad child;
her clothes were scant and threadbare; she had
no cloak and no shawl, and her little bare feet
looked red and suffering. She could not have
been moro than eight years old. She carried
bundle in her tiny hand. Poor little shivcrng
child L, even l, who could do nothing
else, pitied her. AS she passed me her foot
slipped. AMI down she fell with cry of pain
but she held the bundle tightly in her hand, and
umping up, although she limped sadly, endea-
vored to run on as before.
"Stop, lite girl, stop said sweet voice !
and beautiful woman, wrapped in huge shawl
and with furs around her, came out of jewel
er's store close by. 80 Poor little child" said
she, " "are you hurt! Sit down on this step and
tell me-"
How loved her, and how beautiful she
looked
"Oh, cannot" said the little child, " can
not wail-I am in such hurry. have been
to the shoe makers, and motherlmust finish this
work to night, or she will never get any more
shoes to bind"
To-night!' said the beautiful woman, " to-
night"
"Yes,' said the child-for the stranger 8
kind manner had made her bold" yes, for the
great ball tonight; and these satin slippers
must be spangled and -
The beautiful woman took the bundle from
the childs hand and unrolied it You do not
know why her face flushed and then turned pale,
bat |, yes T., looked in tho bundle, and on tie
inside OF slipper saw name-a lady's
name-written, but shall not tell it,
"And where does your mother live, littl,
girl"
So the child told her where, and then she told
her that her father was dead and that bel
little brother was sick, and that her mother
bound shoes that they might have bread; bu
that sometimes they were very cold and that her
mother sometimes cried bccaus she had no money
to buy milk for her little brother. And then
saw that the lady's eyes were filled with tears
and she rolled up the bundle quickly anC
gave IL back to the little girl but she gave hei
nothing else-no, not even sixpence, and, tur.
ming away, went back into the store, from
which she had just come out. AS she went away
| saw the glitter of o diamond pin. Presently
she came back, and stepping into II handsome
carriage, rolled off, The little girl looked aftc
her for moment and then with her little bar
feet, colder than before, ran quickly away.
went with the little girl. and saw her to {
narrow damp street, and into small dark room
| saw her mother--her sad, faded mother bu
with face so sweet, so patient hushing ant
soothing sick baby. And the baby slept anc
the mother laid it on her lap; and the bundl
was unrolled, and dim c.nde helped her with
her work; for though it was not yet night, th'
room was very dark. Then, after while, sh,
kissed her little girl, and babe her warm he
poor frozen feet over the scanty fire in the CRATE
and gave her little piece of bread, for she ha,
no more and then she heard her say her eve
; ming prayer, and folding her tenderly to her be
som, blessed her. and told her that the angel
would take care of her. And the little chill,
J slept and dreamed-Oh such pleasant dream
: of warm stockings and new shoes-but the moth
er sewed alone, as the bright spanglcs glitter
t on the satin slippers, came there no rpining il
to her heart! When she thought of her child
bare cold feet, and of the scant morsel Of DR.
0 bread which had not satisfied her hunger, can
D there no visions of a bright room and gorgeor
e clothing, and table loaded with all that wi
d good and nice, q little portion of which spare
n to her would send warmth and comfort to h
= humble dwelling!
8 II such thoughts came, and others Of plea
II ant cottage, and of one who had dearly low
a her, and whose strong arm had kept want al
l. trouble from her and her babes, but who cou
l. never come back-if these thoughts did n
j. come repiningly, there also came another al
A. the Widows hands were clasped and her he
|. .lbowed low, in deep contriton, as heard h