The Van Buren press., 1860-04-13
gaggistella1lp:
The Lost Bracelet.

1t 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 parcels
Hundreds of people were hurrying along,
jostling each other as they passed up and
down the crowded thoroughfare but her
bright happy face was Ikea ray of sunlight
in the gathering darkness of the winter af-
tcrnoOn, and the owner of tho clattering
shoes that had been following her some dis
tance. took courage from its sweet express
sion. and put up its modest plea for "just
one penny"
1t was low, pleading voice, scarcely
audible in the noise and hustle around, vet
the lady turned and looked an instant at the
little creature before her. Her scanty gar
ments We're poor protection from the fros-
ty air, and her gloveless hands and pale
face looked blue and pincfed with the cold #;
her miserable hood had fallen ON her shoul-
ders, and pair of eloquent eyes looked up
into the lady's face, while with her little,
stumpy broom she swept the crossing.
" Never mind" she said to herself, "
can walk home this poor, little thing needs
this more than 1 do" and she dropped into
the open palm before her the only sixpence
left. There, child, merry Christmas to
you," she said, in a sweet, sympathizing
voice, which made the tears come into the
dark eyes of the little girl, as she tried to
thank her.
1t was long walk that the lady had be
fore her. and the omnibuses ratified along
with provoking empty seat or two inside,
but her heart was light and happy with the
little sacrifice which she had 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 her
husband had furnished for her in their boar
ding house, she felt more than ever grateful
that God had given her such happy home.
She had not removed her hat and cloak
when she heard her husbands step in the
hall, and with smile and a kiss she met
him at the door.
"Why, Kate. how tired you look have
you done great deal Of walking, to-day ?''
Kate blushed and smiled, but deception
was not part Of her nature, and she repli-
ed, g. Yes. Henry, 1 walked all the way
home''
"You shouldn't have done that" said he
little reproachfully, and then he laughed a.
he continued "Did you spend ali you,
money, so that you couldn't afford a six
pence to ride home with %
"Well. / Isuppose must tell" said Kate
with another blush. did have Just one
sixpence left. and was going to ride up,
when such poor little girl
% Yes, that's it, know what's coming
Why, Kate, you make the very mischief
among the poor people and my pennies
they are the most ungratcful set in the
world"
"But," said Kate, earnestly. "she was
such a delicate, half-clothed, and, l am
afraid. half-starved little street-sweeper."
Street-sweeper and her husband held
up his hands in mock horror "why, Kate
they pick up hands-full of money in day
and did you walk home and give one whole
sixpence? Oh, oh, what won't your limo.
cent little heart do next 9"
Kate pore this quizzing very well. and
was about to reply, when. on passing he'
hand up her arm, she exclaimed suddenly
"Oh Henry. my bracelet is gone-youl
gift, last Christmas-what shall l do p
where can l have lost it %
THAT is too bad" said he thoughtfully
but the next moment he continued, shrug
ging up his shoulders mischievously -
Maybe some honest person has picked i
up" Seeing the tears come into his wife
eyes at this speech. he put his arm arount
her and kissed her, with Never mind
though, can replace it some time
Her husband, who really loved his ittl
wife, tenderly took her hand and put SOM
thing in it, closing the slender fingers tight
ly over it. saying. "Don't distress your
self any more about bracelets and street
sweepers here's your Christmas gift an,
the next time you go down town, get pret
ty set of furs with it." Kate's hand clos
ed over q one hundred dollar BILL
The day alter Christmas she was again il
Broadway, and, ns she was passing by tn
identical spot where she had given away
her sixpence. she felt her dress pulled gently
and turning around, she encountered th
same little half-clad girl.
"Pm so glad that you've come. ma'am.
said the child "you dropped this the othe
day, and I've been saving it for you eve
since :" and pulling something out of he
bosom, she put it into the lady's hand. Has
tily unrolling the bit of newspaper, Kat
Alair saw her bracelet. What trium pi
for herself and for Henry.
Thsnk you. thank you, my child" sh,
exclaimed taking the little bare hand il
hers.
Il tried to find you that day." said the