Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1857-11-18
BETTER THkn DIAMONDS.


BETTER thu DIAMONDS.
was standing lie broad, crowded
streets Of q largo ty. 1t was cold
winters day. Then nd been rain; and !
although the sun had en shining brightly, +
yet the long icicles BIG from the caves Of
the houses, and the els rurnbled loudly
as they passed over round. There was
clear bright look cold bracing feel
ing ii the ali, and j, i northwest wind,
which quiekened evs step just then a
little child came i.ls< 80 along--a poor,
illclad child. Her we're seanf and
and her little bare f5e '60ked red and suf-
fering. She carried bundle in her hand.
Poor little shivering ehiIdi Even I, who
could do nothing else pitied her. As she
passed me her foot slipped, and she fell with
cry of pain; but The held the bundle
tightly in her hand, land jumping up, al
though she imped sadly, endeayored to
run on as before.
"Stop, little girl p said sweet voice;
and beautiful woman, wrapped in huge
shawl and with fi1rs around her, came out
of jewellers store close by. 'Poor little
childr she said "are you hurt? Sit down
on this step and tell me-"
How [ loved her, and how beautiful she
looked
ooh | cannot" said the child; ] can
not wait; am in such hurry | have
been to the shoemakers; and mother must
finish them tonight or she will never get
any more shoes to bind"
Tonight 2" said the beautiful woman
''to-night 2"
eyes," said the child-for the strangers
kind manner had made her bold-"yes, for
the great ball tonight. And these satin
slippers must be spangled, and"
The beautiful woman took the bundle
from the child's hand and unrolled' it. You
do not know why her face flushed and then
} turned pale. But I--yes, looked in the
bundle; and on the inside of a slipper l
} saw name, lady's name, written but
J shall not tell it.
"And where does your mother live, little
| girl?'
1 So the little girl told her where; and
, then she told her thather father was dead,
and that her little brother was sick, and
f that her mother bound shoes that they
3 might have bread; but that sometimes they
| were very cold, and that her mother some
r times cried because she had no money to
l buy milk for her little brother. And saw
L that the lady's eyes were full of tears, and
she rolled up the bus.lse quickly, and gave
: it back to the littleyPaE but she gave her
!, - - i - q u "a q
5 turning away, went {sck into the store
from which she had just come out. As she
: went away saw the gsitter of diamond
pin. Presently she came back, and STEP
|. ping into a handsome carriage, rolled off
: The little girl looked after moment, and
then, with her little bare feet colder than
d they were before, ran quickly away.
1t | followed the little girl, and l saw her
go .to'a narrow, damp street, into small
II dark room. | saw her mother-her sad
s. faded mother, but with face so patient
hushing and soothing sick baby. AnC
ID the baby slept and the mother laid it OF
to her lap; and the bundle was unrolled, anc
IS dim candle helped her with her work
for though it was not night, yet her room
e. was very dark. Then, after awhile, sh
le kissed the little girl, and warmed her poo
z frozen feet over the scanty fire in the CRATE
ne and gave her little piece of bread, for sh,
had no more; and then heard her say he
to evening prayer, and folding her tenderl
to her bosom, blessed her.. and told her tina
ly the angels would take care of her. AM
the little child slept, and dreamed-ol
ITS such pleasant dreams of warm stocking
e; and new shoes; but the mother sewe
On alone; and, as the bright spangles glittere
on on the satin slippers, came there no repir
it ing into the heart! When she thought c
IA her child's bare, cold feet, and the scan
.e- morsel Of bread which had not satisfied he
hunger, came there no visions of brigE
he room and gorgeous clothing, and tabl
he loaded with all that was good and nice,
er little portion of which spared to her .woul
he send warmth and comfort to her humbl
n dwelling?
If such thoughts came, and others of
pleasant cottage, and of one who had dea
lef ly loved her, and whose strong arm ha
kept want and trouble from her and h,
we babes, but who could never come back
yet if these thoughts did not come repiningl
ch there also came another; and the widow
'or hands were clasped, and haf-head bowe
rd. low in deep contrition, as heard her 50
an Father! forgive me; for thou doest q
m, things well, and | will trust to thee" Ju
1he then the door opened softly and some OF
the entered Was it an angel Her ham
rid were of spotless white, and she moved wi
To- noiseless step. She went to the b.
cry where the sleeping child lay, and cover
9TH it with warm blankets. Then presently
er- fire sparkled and blazed there, such as Il
me little crate had never known before. Tn,
oh huge loaf was placed upon the table al
ler fresh milk for the sick babe. Then S
ing passed gently before the mother, and dra
/ inc the unfinished slipper from her har
ose placed there purse of gold, and said, in
we'd voice like music, "Bless the God, who
tive the God of the fatherless and the widow
for and she was gone only as she went ou
sic, heard her say, .Better than diamonds,
ing ter than diamonds" What could $
for mean? | looked at the mother. w
,om clasped hands and streaming eyes she bl
heir ed her God who had sent an angel to co
cied fort her, So I went too; and | went t
,lor- bright room, where there were music {
tant dancing and sweet flowers; and / saw yor
happy faces and sparkling jewels, but n
that | knew, until one passed me VIII
,ight dress was of simple white, with only a r
Pale bud on her bosom, and whose voice