Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-11-10
INTELLECT IN RAGS.

and dismal
Seated upon the steps of one of the large
dwellings on Fifth avenue was boy apparent.
ly thirteen years Of age. He was literally
clothed in rags, his hands were blue and his
teeth chattered with cold. Lying on his knee
was newspaper he had picked up in the street,
and be was trying to read the words upon it.
He had been occu pied thus for some time when
two little girls clad in silks and furs, came to-
wards him. The eldest was about twelve years
old, and so beautiful that the poor boy raised
his eyes and fixed them upon her in undis.
guised admiration.
The child of wealth stopped before him, and
turning to her companion, exclaimed:
Marian, just see this fellow on nv stems
Boy, what are you doing here!"
Il am trying to learn to read upon this little
bit of paper" answered the boy
The girl laughed derisively, and said:
well, truly. have heard of intellect in
rags, Marian, and here it is personihed.'
Marians 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
poor meet together, and the Lord is the Maker
Of them ali"
Louise laughed again, and aaid 10 the bow.
"Get up from herei you shall not sit on nv
stePs-ycu are too ragged and dirty -
The boy arose, and a blush crimsoned his
face He was walking away when Marian pai!
Don go, htde boy, you are 20 cold; come
to my house and get warm. Oh, do come. ,, she
continued, as he hesitated. He followed her
into large Kitchen where q bright warm Are
was shedding its genial warmth efuund
We'll, Miss Marian, who are You bringing
here now" asked the servant woman.
poor bey, who is almost perished. You
viii let him warm-will you not, Rachel1',
DO, he shall warm. Sit here, little boy. >
Rachel pushed chair in front of the stove
and gave him piece of bread aud meat.
Marian watched these arrangements, and
then glided from the room; when she returned
she had primer, with the first rudiments of
spelling ard reading. Going to the boy, she said;
Little boy, here is book you can learn to
read irom, better tna1 piece Of paper. Do
you know your letters"
Some of them, but not all I never had
anybody to teach me. just learned myself:
bat oh, want to read so badly
Marian eat down beside him, and becan
teaching him his letters. She was so busiIy
occupied in this work that she did not see her
mother enter the room, nor hear Rachel ex
plain about the boy; and she knew not that her
mother stood some time behind them, listening
TO her noble child teaching the beggar boy his
letters.
There werc but few that he hal not already
learned himself, and It was not long before Ma.
rian had thr satisfaction of hearing him repeat
the alphabet.
When BE rose to go, he thanked Racbe, for
her Kindness, aad offered Marian her book.
No; L don't want it." she said, d" have
given II to you to learn to read from Won't
you tell me your name a'
Jimmie, he replied
will not forget You, Jimmie; you must
little girls farewell.
Louise Gardiner and Marian HAYES were
playmates and friends. Their dwellings io;nei
and almost every hour of the day they were
together; for they attended the same school
These two children we're very differently dis
Posltloned, s1d very differently brought up,
Louise was proud and naughty. Poverty in
her eyes, was n disgrace and a crime; and she
thought nothing too severe for the Door 10 suf-
Ter. These visits she learned from her mother
Mrs: Gardiner moved in one exclusive circle
the bon ton Of New York. Without its pre-
elnets she never Tentured: for all others wero
beneath her. Louise, taught to miugle with
no children excepting those of her mothers
trends, was gr wing up believing horself even
better than they
The teaching that Marian Hayes received
was totally different from this Mrs HAYES
was acknowledged by Mrs Gardiner ss one Of
ner particular friends; yet though she moved
among tnat circle, she was far from being oue
OF them. Her doctrine was the text her little
girl had used; The rich and the Door meet
together, and the Lord is the maker of tbem
all. Thus she Taught Marian, there was no
distinction as to wealth and position; that the
distinction was In worth alone She taught
ner 70 reverence age, and to pity the poor and
the destitute; and that pleasant words were
as sweet as the hOneycomb sweet to the soul -
a little Kindness better than money Marian
learned the lesson we'll, and was ever ready 10
dispense her gentle words TO all, whether tbey
we're wealthy and influential, or ragged and
INDECENT as the boy she had that cold morning
befriended.
A gay and brilliant throng we're assembled
In the city OF Washington. Congress was in
session, and the hotels were crowded with
strangers. 1t was an evening party. The
brilliantly lighted rooms were filed with youth
and beauty
Starding near one of the doors were two
young ladies busily engaged conveIs 9 ng together
The elder Of the two suddenly exclaimed
Oh, Marian, have you seen Mr.. Hamilton
the new member from W"
No, but l have heard great deal about
him
"Oh. want To see him so badly. Mrs N
Is going to introduce him to us wish she
would make haste. l have no patience"
Don't speak so Louise, I wish Won copIa
not be 50 trihng," said Marian
a Singular smile played around the mouth
oi q tall, handsome gentleman who was stand
ing near the girls; and as he passed them he
scanned them both very closely.
In a short time, Mrs N came up with Mr.
Hamilton, the new member, and presented him
to Mis- Gardiner and Miss Hayes As they were
conyersing together, Mr.. Hamilton said
Ladies, We have met before
But Louise and Marian declared their iono.
rance Of the fact.
IL has been long years ago; yet have not
forgotten II, nor a single sentence uttered dur
ins that meeting. will quote one that will
recall II to your memory The rich ana the
poor meet together, and the Lord is the Maker
of them all. >"
The rich blood tiDge1 the cheeks of Marian.
put Louise still declared herself ignorant a
before Mr.: Hamilton glanced for q moment
At Marian, then turning to Louise he said
Long years ago, little boy, ragged and
uIry, sested himself upon the steps Of a state
was busily engaged trying to read from bit
OF paper, when his attention was attracted bv
two little, girls richly dressed. The eldest of
the two particularly attracted him, for she was
. As beautiful as an angel but as they came
near to him, she lifting up her hand exclaimed:
Boy, what are you doing here2''