The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1857-06-20
THE TEN DOLLAR PLANO.

A beautiful child of seven summers. with
the golden light of youth streaming all over
her bright curls, childhoOd's fresh lustre IN
her dark ewes, and June's reddest roses on
her dmpled cheeks, came rushing up to me:
sOhr she cried, tossing the stray curl
from her brow, swe've got the splenderlst
new piano over home. and mother wants you
to come and try it. She says you shall play
on it first"
Now | am a child with children; my heart
bounds, my pulses leap in unison with their
sportive natures, when they are by. And
when the locks are silvered on my temples
and my step grows slow upon the staircase,
when the voices of my loved are only like
remembered music, when my hands grasp
becomes tremulouslike the loosening tendrlls
of the dying vine, still may the feet of in
fancy patter around my knee and its red lips
breathe perfume on my withered cheek.
Away went the ink and pen, and up bound
ed to catch the hand of little Nellie, and
of we ran, to the beautiful mansion, into
room softly lighted, where Nellie's mother,
who was an invalid, laid upon her accus-
toned couch; and up to the new piano to
soothe the weary sick one with strains OF
music. The instrument was one after my
own heart, rich toned, full and melodious,
and the soft strains answered liquidly to my
touch-Now the sweet verse Of Burns
Highland Maryland now the sweeter mu-
sic of Tapan's. There is an hour of Peace
full Rest, occurred to my memory, and thus
played and sung till Nellie's father came.
He was a handsome man; in the full vlgor
of manhood, and from him his little daugh-
ter inherited her golden tinted hair and ha-
eel eyes. He took a seat near his wife and
drew her thin hand into his, as he spoke to
her. Then when praised the new piano,
he turned to me laughingly, 'Yes, and the
best part of it is, it only cost me ten dol
lars.'
expressed my astonishment and my look
of wonder drew another laugh from him.
'Let me tell the story he sald, drawing
little Nellie toward him, and encircling her
little form with his arm, while she looked
with as much astonishment as myself, and
he began:
"A few years ago l went to Chicago.
had been there but few days when in one
of my morning walks encountered girl
some twelve years old, a very intelligent,
bright eyed child, whose face wore such a
sorrowful expression that almost stopped
to speak to her as she passed. The morning
air was raw and chilly, the ground wet from
light fall of early snow, and | noticed that
as the wind blew her thin garments about
her form, she shivered with the cold. As
she went by she half turned, and had gone
but little way before heard quick foot
steps behind me, and stopping, the girl lifted
her hand, as if to place it on my arm; draw
ing back she said:
'Please sir,if you would give me little
money to buy bread.'
sAre YOU hungry?' / asked.
sYes, sir-real hungry and her lips qulv-
cred.
Doesn't your father work and bring home
bread?'
sFather Is sick,' she said, and mother
sprained her arm, and my brother who used
to help us was drowned not long ago.
Something in my heart and in her face
told me her story was true. took her into
bakers shop, babe her hold out her latter.
ing apron and filled it with loaves. Then
putting FIVE dollars in the shopman's hand,
/ stipulated that the poor family was to have
bread every morning till the money was used
up. Then slipped another five dollars into
the girls hand, and turned hastily from her
tear filled eyes.
. Well, ten dollars were gone. and | was by
no means rich enough to spare it; but fell
as if, no doubt, the Lord would make it up.
and at any rate, ten dollars was little enough
for the rare pleasure of giving to Gods poor
children. Invent back to my hotel just az
the gong sounded for breakfast, and took
nv seat with hundred strangers. No SOON
er had commenced eating than ! felt Q
hand laid upon my elbow, and looking up.
there set an old friend had not met fo1
fourteen years. When ! last saw him, he
was young man just starting in the world,
with little means and a few friends.
4 & have not grown rich,' he said after the
first surprise Of recognition was over; sbu'
am able to pay my debts. Do you remem-
Der one day, fourteen years ago, you lent
me ten dollars in my extremity, and told nj
never to pay it unless ! was able2 How
have tried to find your address many time'
since but could not. Here is ten dollar
gold piece, and ! am sorry that ! canno'
double it, for your kindness to me when il