Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1859-01-14

Marian sat down beside him. and began
to teach him his letters. She was 50 busily
occupied in this work that she did not hear
her mother enter the room. nor hear Rachel
explain about the boy; and she knew not ,
that h,r mother stood some time behind
| them. listening to her noble child teaching
the beggar boy his letters.
There were but few that he had not already
learned himself, and it was not long before
Marian had the satisfaction of hearing him
repeat the whole alphabet.
W hen he rose to 30 he thanked Rachel for
her kindness and offered Marian her book.
Ono, don't want it, she said. 81 have
| given it to you to learn to read from. Won't
you tell me your namc?'
"Jimmcy," he replied
| 81 will not forget you, Jimmcy, you must
always remember Marian Hayes, was the
little girls farewell.
Louise Gardener and Marian Hayes were
! playmatcsand friends. Their dwellings join
ed, and almost every hour Of the day they
were together, for they attended the same
school. The two children were very differ
entity dispositoned, and very differently
brought up. Louise was proud and haugh-
ty. Poverty in her eyes was Il disgrace and
crime, and She thought nothing too severe
for the poor to suffer. These views she learn
ell from her mother.
Mrs. Gardener moved in one exclusive cir
Gle Of the bon ton of New York. Without
its precincts she never veuturcd, for all others
were beneath her. Louise, taught to minglr
with no children except those Of her mothers
friends, was growing up believing herself
even better than they.
The teaching that Marian Hayes received
was totally different from this Mrs. Hayes
was acknowledged by Mrs. Gardner as one of
her particular friends. yet though she moved
among that circle she was far from being one
of them.
Her doctrine was the text her littlo girl
had used "'Thc rich and the poor meet to-
gcther. and the Lord is the Maker of them
all This she taught Marian there was
no distinction as to wealth and position the
distinction was in worth alone. She taught
her to revcrencc age. and to pity the poor
and destitute ;dnG that" pleasant words were
as sweet as hOncy-comb. sweet to the soul,
little kindness WAS better chan money.
Marian learned the lesson well, and was ever
ready to dispense her gentle words to all,
whether they were wealthy and influential.
or ragged and INDECENT as the boy she had
that cold morning belricndcd.
gay and brilliant throng were 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 filled with
youth and beauty.
Seated near one Of the doors. were two
young ladies, busily engaged in convcrsnr
together. The elder of the two suddenly ox-
claimed
"Oh Marian have you seen Mr.. Hamilton,
the new member from W. %
"No, but have hearda great deal about
him."
g Oh. want to see him so badly. Mrs.
\. is going to introduce him to us | wish
she would make haste, ! have no patience"
- Don't speak SO, Louise, wish you would
not be so triing,' said Marian.
a singular smile played around the mouth
OF the tail handsome gentleman who was
standing near tho girls and as he passed
them he scanned them very closely
In a short time Mrs. y. came up with Mr.
Hamilton, the new member, and presented
him to Miss Gardner and Miss Hayes
As they were conversing together, Mr.
Hamilton said
{" Ladies, we have met before.
But Louise and Marian declared their ig-
norancc of the fact
" 1t has been long years since, yet have
not forgotten it. nor singl sentence uttered
during the meeting. ! will quote one that
may recall it to your memory The rich
and poor meet together, and the Lord is the
maker of them all. -
The rich blood tingcd the checks of Marian
but Louise still declared herself ignorant as
before Mr.. Hamilton glanced for a moment
at Marian, then turning TO Louise he said:
"Long years ago, little boy ragged and
dirty, seated himself upon the steps Of
stately mansion on Fifth Avenue, New York,
and was there busily engaged in trying to
read from bit of paper, when hls attention
was attracted by 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 nearer to him, she
lifted up h"r hani and exclaimed boy.
what are you doing here :? Iilc bo, an
swered that he was trying to read. The child
of afiluonce derded hlm and said she had
heard of intellect in rags, and he was the
very pcrsonication of it. Her companions
answer was, that the rich and the poor
meet together, and the Lord is the Maker of
them all. The elder girl drove the boy away
from the steps, but tho younger one took
him into her dwelling and warmed and fed
him there. When they parted the little girl
said you must not forget Marian Hayes
=
"That ragged, dirty boy is now before you,
a member of Congress , and allow me, Miss
Gardner, to tender my thanks to you for the
kind treatment of that boy
Overwhelmed with emotion, Louisa knew
not what to say or do.
In pity for her, Mr.. Hamilton rose. and
turning to Marian, said
81 will see you again, Miss Hayes and
he left them.
Louise would not stay in the city, where
she daily met with Mr.. Hamilton, and in q
few days returned to New York, leaving
Marian with the consciousness of having
done nothing to be ashamed of, and enjoying
the society of distinguished Congressman.
Marian and Mr.. Hamilton were walking
together one evening, when the latter drew
from his bosom an old and well worn primer,
and handed it to Marian.
"From this" he said, ''the man who rs
SO distinguished here, first learned to read
Do you recognize the book ~
Marian trembled and did not raise her
eyes, when she saw the well remembered
book. Mr., Hamilton took her hand and
said
Marian, Jennie has never forgotten YOU
Since that day you Were so kind to him, and
give him this book. his life had one great
aim, and that WAS to attain greatness, aud in
after years to meet that minlstcrng angel
who was the sweetener ofmy days Of poverty
When left your house with this book, ! re-
turned to my humble home ten times hap
pier, and went assduousy to work to learn
to read. My mother was an invalid, and ere
long | learned well enough to read to her
When my mother died. found good friends
and was adopted bya gentleman in W.
As his son | have been educated 4 year