Marshall County Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1859, 1858-05-06

| heaven seemed 10 nave Walleu nef ana
her abode ont from the happiness that was
all the worlds on that festive day of the
year. 1t had provided, to all appearances,
no congratulations. no laughter, no gifts,
no flowers for them. Why? Were they
outcasts? Had they outraged their claims
on the wide worlds charity? Had they
voluntarily shut themselves out from the
sunlight of living creatures around them?
Mrs. Gray was poor!
Little Elsie Stopped at times and breath
ed her hot breath upon her blue and be-
numbed fingers. and stamped her tiny feet
in their easements, with all the force left
in them, and then big tears stood tremb-
ling in her large blue eyes for moment,
and rolled slowly down her purple cheeks
as if they would freeze to them. She had
left her mother in bed sick, exhausted and
famishing! What wonder that she cried,
even though those hot tears only dripped
on the cold pavement! They might as
well fall there as elsewhere: the many hu-
man hearts that passed her were full as icy
and hardened.
She would have turned back to go home
had she not thought again of her poor
mother; and she went on, though where to
60 she knew not. She was to become a
street beggar. Where should street beg
gars go? What streets are laid out. and
named and numbered for them? Surely II
not home. then where should they go? 1t
was this thought that brought those crys-
tai tears, that started those deep and ire
pressible sobs that checked her instant ut
I terance.
i A little boy--a bright looking little fell
low--chanced to pass her as she walked
and wept and sobbed He caught the gilt
ter of those tears in the sunshine, and the
sight smote is heart. He knew not what
want and suffering were. He had never
known them himself--never once heard OF
them--knew not what a real beggar was.
He stopped suddenly before Elsie. and ask
ed the cause Of her tears. She could make
no reply; her teart was too full.
Has anybody hurt you?' asked the little
fellow.
She shook her head.
Have you lost your way?' he still per-
sisted.
No answered the child.
What is the matter, then? the boy ask
ed.
Mother is poor and sick. and am cold
and hungry. We have nothing to eat.
Our room is quite cold, ard there is no
wood for as. Oh, you do not know ALL
But WILL replied he. Where do you
live?'
will you go home with me?' asked e.
sie her face Frightening.
Yes. let me go home with you,' said he;
show me the way
Through street, lane, and alley she gui-
ded him. They reached the door of the
howell The cold breath of the wind whis-
tied In the cracks and crevices and key
holes before them, as if inviting them in
They entered. A sick woman feebly rails
ed her head from the pillow, and gave her
a sweet smile. Elsie. have you Gomez
she family said.
Yes. mother answered the child, and
have brought this boy with me. l 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 her mother. If
he knows how to pity you from his little
heart; but he cannot pity me yet; he is not
old enough
The bright-faced. sunny-hearted boy
J azed in astonishment upon mother and
child. The scene was new to him. He
wondered ifthis was what they called pow
erty His eyes locked sadly upon the
wasting mother. but they giittered with
wonder when turned towards Elsie. Sud-
denly they were filed with tears. The
want and woe. he barrenness. the desola-
ton, were all 100 much for him. He shud-
dered at the cold. uncovered floor. He
gazed mournfully into the Fireplace. His
eyes wandered wonderingly over the ma
ked walls, looking so uninvitingly and
cheerless. Putting his hand in his pock
ct, he grasped the coin that his mother had
that 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
goodl You are too generous, l fear!' as
if she ought not to take it from him.