The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1856-09-24
Better than Diamonds

| IHeie hau Deen ram; anu altnOugh the sun hat
been shining brightly, yet the long cicles hung
from the caves of the houses, and the wheel
rumbed loudly as they passed over the ground
There was clear, bright look, and cold, bra
cling feeling in the air, and keen north ives
wind, which quickened every step. Just the1
achi]d came running along, poor, i'll clad child
Her clothes were scant and threadbare; she hat
no cloak and no shawl, and her little bare fee
looked red and suffering. She carried bun
die in her hand. Poor little shivering child
Even I, who could do nothing else, pitied her
AS she passed me, her foot slipped, and she fel
with a.cry ofpain but she held the bundle tight
ly in her hand, and jumped up, although she
limped sadly, endeavorng to run on as before
"S.op, little gir'' said sweet voice, and a
beautiful woman, wrapt in huge shawl and
with furs all around her, came out of a Jewel.
er's store close by. "Poor little child" she
said, care you hurt? Sit down on this step,
and tell me''
How loved her, land how beautiful she looked
ooh, cannot, Icannot watt said the child
81 am IN such hurry; I hare been to the shoe
makers, and mother must finish them tonight,
or she will never get any more shoes to bind -
''To-night?" said The beautiful woman, "to-
night?''
"Yes,'' said the chih-for the strangers
kind manner had made her bold-"ves. for the
great ball tonight. And these satin slippers
must be spangled-''
The beautiful woman look the bundle from
the chlld's hand and unrolled it. You do not
know why her face t1ushedand then turned pale.
But l-yes, Hooked into the bundle, and on
the inside of slipper saw name, lady s
name written; but shall not tell it.
"Where does your mother live little girl?''
So the little girl told her where; and then she
told her that her father wa. dead, and that her
little brother was sick, AMI that her mother
bound shoes that they might have bread, but
that sometimes they were very cold, and that
her mother sometimes cried because she had no
money to buy milk for her little brother. And
saw that the lady eyes were filled with tears,
and she rolled up the bundle quickly, and gave
it back to the little girl; but she gave her moth
ing else, no, not even a sixpence and turning
away, went back into the store from which shs
had just come out. AS she went away, saw
the glitter of diamond pin. Presently she
came back, and stepping into handsome car
rlage, rolled off The little girl looked after
her moment, and then, with her little bare
feet, colder than they were before, ran quickly
away.
I followed the little girl, and saw her 60 to
narrow, damp street, into small, dark room.
saw her mother-her sad, faded mother, but
with face patient-hushing and soothing a
sick baby. And the baby slept, and the mother
laid it on her lap; and the bundle was unroled,
and the dim candle helped her with her work,
for though it was not night yet her room was
not very light. Then after while she kissed
the little girl, and warmed her poor frozen feet
over the scanty fire in the CRATE, and gave her
little piece OF bread, for she had no more; and
heard her say her evening prayer, and folding
her to her bosom, blessed her, and told her that
the angels would take care of her. And the lit
tie child slept and dreamed--oh! such pleasant
dreams of marr>- -etouhinSo u.,d el1vvo, but
her mother sewed alone, and as the bright span
giles gittered on the satin slippers, came there
no repining. When she thought of her chid's
bare, cold feet, and the scant morsel of bread
which had not satisfied her hunger, came there
no visions of a bright room and gorgeous cloth
ing, and a table loaded with all that was good
and nice, little portion of which spared to her
would send warmth and comfort to her hum
BILE dwelling.
If such thoughts came, and others of plea
SAINT cottage, and Of one who had dearly loved
her, and whose strong arm had kept want and
trouble from her and her babes, but who could
never come back-if these thoughts came up
there also came another and the
widows hands were elasped and her head bow
din deep contriton as l heard her say, 'Fath-
er, forgive me, for thou doest all things well,
and L will trust to thee" Just then the door
opened softly, and some one entered Was it
ali angel? Her hands were of spotless white,
and she moved with noiseless step. She went
to the bed where the sleeping child lay, and
covered her with warm blankets Then pre-
sently fire sparkled and bazed there such as
the little CRATE had meyer known before. Then
a huge loaf was placed upon the table and fresh
milk for the sick babe. Then she,passed gently
before the mother, and drawing the unfnish-
ed slipper from her hand, placed there purse
OF gold, and said, in voice like music. "Bless
thy God who is the God of the fatherless and
the widow;'' and she was gone--only as she
went out | heard her say, "Better than dia-
monds, better than diamonds What could
she mean? | looked at the mother. With
elasped hands and streaming eyes she blessed
her uod who had sent an angel to comfort her
50 l went too; | went to bright room, where
were music and sweet flowers, and / saw young
happy faces and sparkling jewels, but none that
knew until one passed me whose dress was-of
simple white, with only rose bud on her bo-
som, and whose voice was like the sweet sound
of silver lutte. No spangled slipper was on
her foot, but she moved as one that treadeth
upon the air: and the divine beauty of holiness
had so gIorfied her face, that felt, as gazed
1pon her, that she was indeed an angel of God
THE TRUE REFoRMER.-It is the custom of a
certain class of people to ascribe all goodness to
he past to declare that the world grows more
selfish and that the philanthropy of the present
lay is only impulsive-dependent upon the ag
tatlon of madcap reformers. Such persons
1ave not properly studied the present, nor do
hey mpartia}Iy estimate the past. Enterprises,
opinions and doctrines are valuable 10 them as
good wines are to the old according to
her age, their force and Importance are judg-
ID by the number of years in which they have
'een advocated. The intrinsic worth or rea-
condolences of doctrine, the circumstances
'nder which an enterprise is projected are rare
y inquired for by the friend of the host, or if
nuuJred for ara NOT indennndaptlu concidorol |