Marshall County Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1859, 1857-07-02
will you go with me?' asked Elsie, her
face Frightening
yes said he sshow me the NarI

w III you 20 With me! aSheu Elsie, Hei
face Frightening.
Yes said he, show me the way
Through street, lane and alley she gui-
ded him. They reached the door of the
hovel. The cold breath of the wind whis-
tied in at the cracks and crevices before
them. They entered A sick woman
feebly raised her head from the pillow, and
with kind look, said family, Elsie, have
you Gomez
Yes, mother, and have brought this
boy with me. do not know who he is,
but he said he wanted to come and see
where We live Did do wrong to bring
him, mother?'
No, my child, said the mother, if
he knows how to pity you from his little
heart
The bright-faced, sunny-haired boy ga
zed around him in astonishment upon the
mother and child. The scene was new to
him. He wondered if this was what they
called poverty. His eyes looked sad upon
the wasting mother. but they glittered
with wonder when turned towards Elsie.
Suddenly they filled with tears The want,
the woe, the desolation, were all too much
for him. He shuddered at the cold, un-
covered floor. He gazed mournfully at the
empty fireplace. His eyes wandered
wonderingly over the naked walls, looking
SO uninviting aud cheerless. Putting his
hand in his pocket he grasped the coin that
his mother had that very morning given
him, and drew it forth.
You may have that said he holding it
out to the child.
'Oh, you are too good. You are too
generous, fcarr broke in the mother, as
if she ought not to take it from him.
Mother will give me another, if 1 want
it said he. 1t will do you good, take it,
take it, you shall take it, and he was gone.
1t was a gold coin to the value of five
dollars
Mother and child wept together. Then
they talked of the good boy whose heart
had opened for them on this New Years
day They looked at the glistening piece.
There was bread and fuel, and clothing,
and every comfort within its depths. They
continued to gaze upon it. They saw with
in its rim, pictures of delight and joy
All! what philosophers stone that was!
How it turned everything first into gold
and then into happiness! o, what bright
rays shone forth from that trifiing coin of
gold
That night returned this angel boy to
the bleak house, then filled with happiness.
and joy; but he was not alone--his mother
was with him. Blessed boy! How his
little heart warmed and glowed 10 see the
chilli uncover the basket he had brought
with him and take out one by one, the
gifts which were slowed there! and how
oyerjoyed WAS he to see his mother offer
the sick woman new home, and see the |
sick woman grow suddenly strong and
almost we'll under the influence Of kind Of |
flee.
Years have rolled away into the silent
past. That little girl-Elsie Gray--is a
lady. Nota lady only in name, but one
in every deed, in heart, and conduct. She
dwells in suburban cottage, and her hus
band is entirely devoted 10 her. The hus
band is no olher than the generous boy
who on the New Years festival, accosted
her so tenderly in the street and went home
with her. Her poor mother sleeps quietly
N the church-yard; yet she lived to know
hat God had provided for her child. She
lied resigned and happy.