The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1857-05-29
WHOLE NUMBER 2l2
Better than Diamonds.

teT ) uSy. lhcre Hads Decn ram ana al
though the sun had been shining brightly,
yet the long icicles hung from the caves Of
the houses, and the wheels rumbled loudly
as they passed over the ground. There
was clear, bright look, and cold, bra
cling feeling in the air, aud a keen north
west wind, which qnickened every step.
Just then a little child running along-a
poor, ill-clad child her clothes were scant
and thrcadbare she had no cloak and no
shawl, and her little bare feet looked red
and suffering. She could not have been
more than eight years old. She carried
bundle in her hand. Poor little shiverinq
child / pitied her. AS she passed me
her foot slipped, and she fell with cry o:
pain but she held the bundle tightly in
her hand, and jumping up, although she
limped sadly, endeavored to run as before.
Stop little girl, stop !" said sweet,
voice, and a beautiful woman, wrapped in
huge shawl and with furs around her
came out Ola jewelers. store close by. "Poor
| little child, she said, "are you hurt2 Sit
down on this step and tell me-"
How loved her, and how beautiful she
looked
"Oh, can not" said the little child, II
| can not wait-I am in such hurry. I have
been to the shoeInaker's, and mother must
finish this work tonight or she will never
get any more shoes to bind"
Tonight 2'said the beautiful woman,
''to-night 2"
"Yes," said the chid-for the strangers
kind manner had made her bold-.'yes for
the great ball tonight, and these satin slip
pers must be spangled and"
| Io nj fho
| from the cbild's hand and unroIled it. You
then turned pale, but I, yes I, looked into
the bundle, and Oh the inside Of a slipper
I sawza name-a lady's name written, but
! shall not cell it.
"And where does your mother live, lit
tie girl2'
So the child told her where and then
she told her that her father was dead, and
that her little brother was sick, and that
her mother bound shoes that they might
have bread but that sometimes they were
very cold, and that her mother sometimes
cried because she had no money to buy
milk for her little brother. And then I
saw that the ladys eyes were full Of tears
and she rolled up the bundle quickly, and
gave it back to the little girl but she gave
her nothing elsc-no, not even a siXpence,
and turning away, went back into the
store from which she had just como out.
And as she went away saw the glitter of
diamond pin. Presently she came back,
and stepping into handsome carriage
rolled off. The little girl looked after her
moment, and with her little bare feet, cold
er than they were before, ran qickly away.
went with the little girl, and saw her
to narrow damp street, and into small
dark room saw her motlier-hcr sad, ia
ded mother, but with face so sweet, so pa
tient-hushing and soothing sick baby.
And the baby slept and the mother laid
it on her lap. the bundle was unrolled,
and dim candle help l,er with her work
for though it was not night, yet her room
was very dark. Then, after awhile, she kiss
ed her little girl, and babe her warm her
poor frozen feet over the scanty FIRE in the
crate, aud gave her a little piece of bread,
for Sue had 10 more and then she heard
her say her eyeding prayer, and folded ler
tenderly to her, bosom, blessed her, and
told her that the angels would take care
of her. And the little child, slept and
,dreamed--oh! such pleasant dreams-of
warm stockings and new shoes; but the
mother sewed alone, .and as tie bright
spangles glittered on the satin slippers, came
thefas 40 repipiDg 10 : the heart Z When
she: thought Of her child's bare, cold feet,
and Of tie scant morssl Of dsy bread, that
had not satisfied her hunger, came there
no visions Of bright room and gorgeous
clothing, and q table loaded with all that.
was good, litao portion of Which spared
to her would give warmth and comfort to
her humble dwelling
lf,such Thoughts came, and Others, of q
pheasant cottage, and Of one who bad dear
ly loved her, anti whose strong arm had
kept want aud trbublo from her and her
babes but who could never come, back-if
these thoughts did not come repiiingly,
there also came another {; and the widows
hands were easped and her head bowed
low if deep coutrition, as l heard her say,
Father, forgiven for thou doestall things
well, and will trust 70 thee." Just then
the door opened softly, and soma one ea.
tered. Was ii. .ap apgelT Her dress was
spotess white, and she moyeasRitfi noise
less step. She went 10 ais Ae4 where tbs
sleeping child lay, and covered II ,yhh soft.I
warm blankets. Then presently mare spar.
kisd-aud blazsd there, such as the grats had
never known before. Then.a huge I6af
was plscedupon the table, and fresh naflk
for the babe. Then she:passsA gently beI
fere the hether mud drawing the uatinishg
Esdslippsr from her hand placed tlisreSs
! purse 81 epid, and said In asyoice like mus.
4 ic: BLESS thy God, who istlie God of tho
fathsrless and lha Midew.r: 5and che was
geIe, only, as she went fout I heard her
say, Better than Observation-Disclosures than
diamondsln Whom could she rneani y
Hooked At the mothen With ciasped hands
Fsnd strsaating eyes she blessed her, Cody
who hst seht an angel to comfort. her. So
4 Invent toess and Invent 10 bright roon,'
tMhsse there wac music aud dancing, land
sweet foWess; and saw 4yon6g, happy
tfaess, aad beautifnily dressed, aid ssparlcs
llink With Jewels but more that I know iuu-
ltil one passed ma whose sdrssswas of siin-
tpleiwhils With only a ross-b bud on,&heF