The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1857-03-05
THE I'M
OR, THE LITTLE sTRggTREGGAR.

upon lhe listener IN every street.
There was little girl-a child Of pow
erLy, on that new years morning walking
the streets with the gay crowd that swept
past her. Her little feet had grown SC
numb, encased only in thin shoes, and
those badly worn, that she could but with
difficulty move on before the other. Her
checks shook at every step she took,
and her lips looked purple. Alas, poor
Elsie Gray She was little beggar.
Just like the old year was the new year
to her, just like the last years wants and
the last years sulferings were the wants
and suaerngs of thisl The change of the
year brought no change in her condition.
Her mother was a widow and an invalid,
and the child poor beggar.
In the old and cherries room cleaned
no bright fires Of anniversary, No ever,
greens no wreaths, no flowers, save few
old wilhercd ones, decked its time stained
walls There was no sound of merry
voices within the door, to say to the wild
ow 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 appearance,
10 congratuIalion. Why? Were they
outcastS? Had they outraged their claims
on the wide worlds charities! Had they
voluntarily shut themselves out from the
sunlight of the living creatures around
them? No!a shame take tie world that
it must be so answered for them. Mrs.
Gray was very poor
Little Elsie stopped at times and breath
ed her hot breath upon her blue and be-
numbed fingers, and stamped her tiny feet
in their easements, with all the force left
in them; and then big tears stood trem-
bling in her large blue eyes fora moment,
and rolled slowly down herpurple cheeks,
as if they would freeze TO them. She had
left her mother in bed, sick and famished
ANts9r9onder that she cried even though
those bot tears only drippcd on the cold
payemch.s. They might as well fall there
as elsewhere; the many human hearts
that passed her were full as icy and har'
dened.
A young boy--a bright looking little
fellow-chanced to pass her, as she walk,
ed and wept and sobbed. He knew not
what want and suffering were. He had
never known them himSelf-knew moi
ven whata real beggar was, He stop.
/ ed suddenly before Elsie, and asked hel
\ cause of those tears. She could make
10 reply; her heart was too full,
Has any one hurt you?' asked the feel
ing little fellow
! She shook her head.
Have you lost your wayF
No. answered the child audibly.
What is the matter, then?' he asked
Mother is poor and sick, and am cold
and hungry. We have nothing TO eat.--
Our room is quite cold, and there is nc
wood for us
Where do you liveF
will you go with me| asked Elsie, heI
face Frightening
Yes said he, show me the way
Through street lane and alley she gui
de him. They reached the door of the
hovel. The cold breath ofthe wind whis
tied ia at tho cracks and cltivices before
them. They enteped A sick womar
feebly raisa1 ]ha head froEh the pillow
aud with look, u family, Elsie
j 80 1I.sener, and | have brought this
Tboy with me. Edo not know who he is,
Fbut lie said he wanted to come and see
where we live. Did l do wrong to bring
him, molh2r!
No, my child said the mother, if he
knows how TO pity you from his little
heart
The bright faced, sunny-healted boy
gazed in asonishment upon the mother
and child. The scene was new to him.
He wondered ifthis was what they calle
poverty. His eyes looked sad upon the
wasting mother, but they gittered will
wonder when turned towards Elsie. Sud
denly they filed with tears. The want
the woe, the dessolation, were all too much
for him. He shuddered at the cold, un.
covered floor. He gazed mournfully into
the empty fire. place. His eyes wandered
wonderingIy over the naked walls, look.
ing so unlnvitingly and cheerless. Put.
ting his hand in his pocket he grasped the
coin that his mother had that very morn
ing given him, and drew it forth.
You may have that, said he, holding
it ou. to the child.
'Ah, you are too good. You are toe
generous, fear' broke in the mother, as
if she ought not to take it from him.
Mother will give me another, if l wan
it, said he. 1T will do you good, take it.
take it; you shall take it; aad he was
gone.
1t was a gold coin the value of five
dollars.
Mother and child wept together. Ther
they talked of the good boy whose hear
had opened for them on this New Year,
day. They looked atthc glislening piece
There was bread, and fuel, and, clothing
and every comfort in its depths They
continued: to gaze upon III They saw