Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1860-02-17

Just one penny, If you please, ma am"
II was the day before Christmas, and
late in the afternoon, beautiful and richly
dressed lady was walking up Broadway
with her arms laden with brown paper par
cells. Hundreds Of people were hurryiug
along, jostling each other as they passed up
and down the crowded thoroughfare; but
her bright happy face was like ray of
sunlight in the gathering darkness of the
winter afternoon, and the owner of the clat-
shoes that had been following her some
distance, took courage from its sweet ex-
preston, and put up its modest plea for
lust ono penny"
1t was low, pleading voice, scarcely
audible in the noise and hustle around, vet
the lady heard it, for she turned aud looked
an instant at the little creature before her
Her scanty garments were poor protec-
tion from the frosty air, and her gloveless
hands and pale face looked blue and
pinched with the cold; her miserable hood
had fallen on her shoulders and pair OF
eloquent eyes looked up into the lady's
face, while with her little siumpy broom,
she swept the crossing.
"Never mind" said she to herself, 81 can
walk home--this poor little thing needs
this more than do;" and she dropped in.
to the open palm before her the only six
pence she had left. "There child, merry
Christmas to you" she said in sweet, sym
pathing voice, which made the tears come
into the dark eyes Of the little girl, as she
tried 10 thank her.
1t was long walk that the lady had be.
fore her, and the omnibus ratified along
with provoking empty seat or two inside,
but her heart was light and happy with the
little sacrifice she had just made, and Just
as the jets of gas began to blaze out of the
windows she reached her home. She had
been married only short time, and as she
looked around her pretty room which he,
husband had furnished for her in theil
boarding house, she felt more than evel
grateful that God had given her such 6
happy home. She had not removed hel
hat and cloak when she heard her husbands
step in the ball, and with smile and a kiss
she met him at the door.
"Why Kate, how tired you Iook-havc
you done great deal of walking to-day r
Kate blushed and smiled, but as decep.
tion was not part of her nature, she re-
piled: "Yes, Henry, l walked all the WAY
home"
"You shouldn't have done that" said hc
a little reproachfully, and then he laughed
as he confined: "Did you spend all you
money, so that you couldn't afford six
pence TO ride home with ~
"Well, l suppose must tell,n said Kate
with another blush. III did have Just on,
sixpence left, and was going to ride up
when such a poor little girl"
"Yes, that's it. l know what's coming
Why, Kate, you make the very mischie
among the poor people and my pennies
they are the most ungrateful set in tn,
world"
"But," said Kate earnestly, "she wassucl
a delicate, half clothed, and / am afraid
; half starved little street sweeper"
"Street sweeper" and her husband hel,
up his hands in mock horror; "why, Kate
, they pick up handfulls of money in day
and did you walk home, and give one
whole sixpence Oh, oh, what won't you
innocent little heart do uextP
Kate bore this quizzing very we'll, an
was about to reply, when, on passing he
hand up her arm, she exclaimed suddenly
"oh, Henry, my bracelet is gone-you
gift last Christmas-what shall / do9-
Where can have lost it2"
'|That is too bad,' said he, thoughtful,
but the next moment he continued shrup
ging up his shoulders mischieyously; "Ma
; be some honest person has picked it up.
Seeing the tears come into his wife's eye
at this speech, he put his arm around be
and kissed her, with, "never mind though
l can replace it some time"
Her husband, who really loved bis littl
( wife tenderly, took her hand and putsoms
thing in il, closing the slender fingers tight
ey over it saying, "Don't distress youTse
any more about bracelets and street-sweeI
ers; here's your Christmas gift, and th
next time you go down town, get prett
set Of fnrs with it. Kats's hand was scIose
over hundred dollar bill.
4 The day after Christmas she was agai
in Broadway, and as she was passing b
the identical spot where she had give