Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1859-04-28


crime grown so accustomed that | know it not,
san that mothers blessing still dtceH aOith me !?
No, no, no p? the blessing has long since left
me, and the bauble may as well go now Let
it be furnished now, while my brain is clearer
than it has lately been. The night grows very
cold. Let me think, let me think |"
The woman sat long, long while in silence
the night grew darker, and the drifting snow
crept further and further into the room. The
sound of the merry bells of passing sleighs !;
the hearty salutation of the paSser-by, wishing
each chance-met friend merry Christmas
Eve ; the mellow laughter of the home-re-
turning apprentice boys, stopping to exchange
an occasional snow ball /; and the jolly chorus
of some German youths, who sang the Christ
mas song of fatherlend, alone broke the still
ness of the night but they woke no happy
response within the heart of poor Jenny r.
win. Her mind was busy with darker thoughts
and none of the genial Influences of the sweet
est night of the year, would ever bring back
to her the joyous emotions which filled her soul
when her life was bright and pure, and she
was thought the fairest girl of all who graced
the merry board of Christmas Eve.
" 1t must be so,' she said at length, rising
with difficulty from the chair, and putting on
her tsttered shawl and faded bonnet itmuSt
be so Ny last game may as we'll be played
now | have nothing more to win, RothiHg to
lose
Out into the deSolate night she goes, shiT
ering and staggering with cold, and misery and
pain. Forth into the street a moment she
pauses in resolution at the threshold /; q mo
ment she shrinks from the bitter storm, and
then, with compressed lips and shawl drawn
tightly about her, she hurries on. The pass
ers-by turn aside aud give her the pathway,
as, with head bent down, she makes her way
through the snow. Some turn aside to look at
her. aud sigh to think of her misery ; some
greet her with ribald jests and coarse congrat
uations but nothing of sympathy, or kind
ness, or jbes, or any words for evil or good, can
ever make her pause or turn from the errand
on which she is bound.
In a narrow and dirty street, where the few
lamps burn 6imly, aud the faithful guardians
of the night seldom venture where crime aud
misery have their constant abode, and the air
reeks ever with unwholeSome yaporS of all The
concomtantS of wretchedneSs, there stands q
high and gloomy house. whose barred and bolt
ed windows are seldom opened to the light of
day, aud whose threshold is seldom crossed
save by the poor applicant who seeks by the
batter of some needed Gride to keep the wolf
but a little longer from the door" The three
gilt balls" which hang above the door tell
plainly enough the calling of its occupants, aud
they tell, too, to him who may pause to think,
volumes of misery which pray, reader, you nor
| may never know. Like the tgEas tatus,
they have shown on many heartsic& traveller
over the great moor of life, and kindling up
from time to time some little hope, have led
him further and further from the path of safe
". until deSpoiled of all TO care for, and sepa-
rated from all to care for him, he has sunk ex
hausted in the march of misery and never to
rise again.
Before this door the poor, half-frozen out
cast stands it was no unaccuStomed place 10
her it had swallowed up little by little all
her store, and year after year, the wages OF
her misery had been put in the irredeemable
pawn, till it might be said the youth, and
health, and beauty of Jenny Irwin were mold
ering among the gaudy trinketS and hnery
which filled the house unto its very roof. The
door partly opens TO her summons, and after
quick scrutiny the chain is Withdrawn, aud she
enters.
An aged Israeite stands behind the high
counter, and waits for her application, watch
ing the while with something OF plty IN his
look. bat with more of craft and distruSt.
What viii you give me on this :" she says,
taking the cross from her bosom.
The willy Hebrew reached his bony hand
across the counter, and taking the jewel, ex-
amined it with great care, the poor woman
meanwhile standing and watching his face With
l., ,F and Tl-SuDD-aSSa1
emotion
What will l give you on this?" he return
ed sharply. II gave you what you deserve,
it would be lodging in the Tombs. We DO
Lot receive stoirs goods.'
Liar liar :" shouted the woman, spFinging
forward TO clutch the jewel; you know bet
ter you know full well, whatever else she may
be jenny Irwin is no; q lkizf. Here, give me
back the cross give it to me back ycu must
not triAe with me now + and springlng from
the counter, she was about 10 snatch her tTes-
sure from the old mans hand, when the door
Of 4 back room opened and large powerful
woman Of sixty years dashed upon the scene,
and lifting her up Ike child, aud placed her
again upon the floor.
What means this ?" she said then see
ing the cross in the old mans hand, she seem
ed TO understand the whole Where did you
get II, childT' she asked. Here sit down.
and tell NE an about it > and she reached her
6 chair.
Jenny took the profered seat, snd pressing
both hands upon her heart, went on With
painting voice, and said:
Il did not steal the cross il was the last
gift Of my mother | have never parted with
il tonight am to see friend, | have not
seen him for long while | wished 10 appear
somewhat as | used 10 wished some clothes
Just for tonight, and thought thought
would come to you, sud-aRd get some OF ny
things, aud little money, oul! for tonight, or
few days; and then /, perhaps, could pay Il
sll back, and-and you would never lose
an no; fiRf"