The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1857-01-29
Gbrilling 1iorg,
LITTLE AGNES;
THE LUXURY OF B0GNG GOOD.

taxing his cigar from his mouth and sha-
king the ashes into the CRATE, near which
he was sitting, he threw himself back
YEARLY in his chair
why, to enjoy life, and indulge in day
drcams,' said his friend, who had been
brcakiasting with him at his hotel
what an idea, for man born under
your lucky star, enjoying in income of
five thousand year, and no one to sup
port but himself. Here you can sit the
long day through, reading the last novel,
or watching the graceful smoke-wreath>
of your cigar, and weaving airy fancies
from the loom Of Imagination; while l
poor wretch that | am must bear the curse
pronounced upon all the sons Of Adam,
and obtain my bread by the sweat of my
brow, in the daily drudgery of ok-keep-
ing, If was iii your situation, should
be perfectly happy.
And yet, believe me, you are the hap
piest man Of the two. And let me tell
you,' turning to him with more than his
usual seriousness, never to envy one,
however independent in his circumstan-
ces, who has no ostensible occupation
| have often thought that | should have
known more of content if | had been
compelled to earn my daily bread. A
constant sense of ones uselessness in this
world is depressing, and renders life al
most a burden
But you can pass your time as you
please
Yes, but one wearies of ones self
Where there is necessity Of exertion, the
leisure moments for recreation have zeSt;
but | assure you the hours drag heavily
where one has his whole time for pleas
ure'
ooh, that ever man should complain
of that?' sail his friend, rising and laugh
ing heartily; but my hour is come
You do rot understand all the phrases
OF AHman@ @3Gture YET said Craven, re-
turrRg lis. smile, aud with a cordial
shakt of hs h&nl they parted at the
door.
please, 81. buy some of my cigar
lighters said a timid little girl at his ell
bow, they are only three cents a dozen,
and she held up basket, filled with pack
ages of a dozen each, of brighttGolorcd
papers, rolled into graceful, tapering,
torch-shapcd lighters.
He turned towards the child, and the
fragile little creature, so scantily clad on
that chill wintry day; the little bare
hands, blue and trembling with the cold;
and, above all, the pale, wan face, from
which pair of sweet blue eyes looked
out upon a world to them so sad and
cherries, touched his heart
lie drew her towards the fire, and then
took up a package, and dropped two
bright half dollars into the basket of the
child. She looked at them for a m meut
raised her little modest, tmid face to him
with a gaze Of wonder, and then, as il
her gratitude had no words 10 express
itself, she sunk down and clasping hi'
knees, burst into a flood of tears.
my poor child said he, with astonish
ment, while his own eyes were moist wit
emotion, what have | done? Do not b.
so grateful for so little'
He raised her, and drew her once more
towards the lire 70 .xarnA her shir,ring
limbs, and shel scame calmer, h'
said, .Iel4 W. You cry my poo
child?'
'Oh, sir, we3,se 81 s5,hungry! mothe
and little brothers are almost dying fo
bread, and It seems as if--as if, God haC
! ltodched your heart for us
He dashed away a tear without speak
ing, and then questioned her more min
utely. 1t was the first time she had en-
gagged in Der present occupation, and sh,
had been, through all that cold morning
walking the streets, with her basket OF
her arm, and had sold but one package
of her papers. Nobody needed her, a
they hurried on, intent on business o.
pleasure. The little, timid, shrinking
child was overlooked, and none knew he
anguish as she thought Of her suffering
mother, now too i'll to work; and the littl,
brothers, too young even to beg. At las
she ventured INTO the hotel where the doc
stood open, and she was sure she said
that her Heavenly Father had sent he
there. Mother was crying when shC
came away; but now she would not cry
any more. By still farther inquiries hC
learned that her father ha6 died si'
months before, of slow, typhusfe fever; anC
that shortly after his burial her motheI
was taken i'll with the same disease
When she recovered so as to be able t
sit up, the money was all gone for thei
expenses in sickness, and one article af
ter another had been sold 10 procure food
until they were now in state of ute
desli;utisn. For want of proper nourish
ment, her mother recovered very slowly
and now she had only strength enough t
cut and roll up those1 aia5, which th'
child Of ten years oldf? Z ,Sent out to dis
pose of. NE
What a rush of remorseful feeling
came over the listener, as he heard, no
without tears, these sorrowful details re
lated with childish and affecting simple
ity! lie recalled with bitterness his was
I 1.