Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1858-08-18
SIaf(l 8ea0lng
INTELLECT IN RAGS.

1t was a black wintry day. Heavy snow
drifts lay piled up in the streets OF New York,
and tue whole appearance Of the city was cold
and dismal.
Seated upon the steps of one of the large
dwellings Oh Fifth Avenue, was boy apparent
" thirteen years of age. lie was literally
clothed in rags, and his hands were blue, and
his teeth chartered with cold. Lying upon his
knee was newspaper he had picked up in the
streets, and lie was trying to read the words
upon it. lie had been occupied thus for some
time, when two little girls clad in silks and iurS,
came towards him. The eldest one was about
twelve years old, and so beautiful that the poor
boy raised his eyes and fixed them upon her in
undisguised admiration.
The child Of wealth stopped before him and
turning to her companion, exclaimed, Marian,
lust see this fellow on my steps? Boy what
arc you doing here 2
"I am trying to learn to read upon this little
bit of paper" answered the boy.
The girl laughed derisivcly and said:
"Well, truly have heard Of intellect in
rags, Marian, and here it is personlied."
Marian's soft hazel eyes filled with tears, as
she replied:
"Oh, Louise, do not talk so; you know what
Miss Fannie teaches in school. "The rich and
the poor meet together, and the Lord is the Ma
kcr Of them all"
Louise laughed again, and said to the boy:
.Get up fr,m here you shall not sit on my
steps, you are too ragged and dirty"
The boy arose, and blush crimsoncd his face.
lie was walking away, when Marian said
"Don't 60 little boy, you are 50 cold, come to
my house and get warm. Oh, do comc," she
continued, as he hcstatcd; and he followed her
into q large kitchen, where bright f;,rn-firc
was shedding its genial warmth around.
"Well, Miss Marian, who are you bringing
here now 2" asked the servant woman.
GA poor boy, who is almost pcrisled; yh'l
will let him get warm, will you not, Rachel 2?
ooh, he Shall warm; sit here little boy
and Rachel pushed a chair in front Of the stove
she then gave him piece Of bread and meat.
Marian watched these arrangements, and then
clidcd from the room; when she returned, she
had primer, with the first rudmcnts Of spell
ing and reading Going to the boy, she said:
"Liltle boy, here is q book that yon can learn
to read from better than a piece Of paper. dc
YOU know your letters?"
"Some Of them, but not all. never had
ANYBODY to teach me. ] just learned myself
but oh, I want to read so badly"
Marian sat down beside him, anyl bcSan teach
ing him his letters. She was SO busily occupied
in this work that she did not see her motte,
enter the room, nor hear Rachel explain abou
the boy; and she knew not that her mother
stood some time behind them, listening to hc
noble child teaching the beggggar boy his letters
There were but few that he had not alrea,l,
Learned himself, and it was not long before Ma
.rian had the satisfaction of hearing him rcpea
the alphabet.
When he rose to 60, he thanked Rachel fo
her kindness, and offered Marian her book.
"No, don't want it," she said, {" have Civ
.cn it to you to learn to read from. Won't yo'
tell me your name ?'
"Jimmie," lie replied.
81 will not forget you, Jimmie, you must al
ways remember Marian Hayes" was the littl
girls farewell.
Louise Gardner and Marian Hays were play