Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1860-03-15
Isabefs Birthday

"What an odd little fgure" exclaimed Is
abel Crawford, one Of the merry party Of school
girls, who, with baskets and tin boxes in their
hands, we're roaming through the woods and
fields, one delightful summer afternoon, in
search Of flowers to arrange in their heTba-
Rams.
Isabels companions looked in the direction
to which she pointed, and echoed her exclsma.
ton as they saw little girl with sun-bonnet
almost as large as herself upon her head, and
e cape upon her shoulders, extending nearly
to her naked feet.
Isabel walked hastily toward the little berry
girl, followed BY several of her companions.
The child looked up timidly as they approach
ed, and seemed half inclined 90 run away; but
IsabePs smiling eOuntenance and kind words
soon re assured her, and she picked away an
industriOusIy as ever.
"What a large pail of berries you have
gathered" said Isabel. "Are you going to sell
any Of theml or will you and your brothers and
sisters eat them for your support"
80, have no brothers and sisters, MISS
replied the little girl. "MOther and live all
alone in that little cottage at the foot of the
hill. You can Just see the chimney from here
am going to sell the berries in the village
l sold four quarts yesterday, and to day shall
have six or eight to SELL Mother will be very
glad"
"DO you give all the money to your mOtherl'
asked Isabel
"Yea, indeed, miss; she needs it all very
much. She usedto sew a great deal, and theI
we had all we wanted; but she grew so sich
and weak, that the doctor said she must moi
sew any more. Then we grew very poor, anC
at last we had to sell our COW. Oh! l wa
very sorrowful then; for loved poor Mooly 81
much! could milk her myself, she was 81
gentle. But mother said It would be wrOnG
/ to keep her when he had not enough to give
her to eat Before my father died, she gave
great deal of milk; and we used to sell it to th,
neighbors, and that helped US along very much
| but when we grew poor, and could not feeC
her well, she gave very little milk; so VIC hat
none to sell / was afraid we should neve
have any more money when mother took al
that Farmer Jennings gave her for the COW
and paid the grocer and the doctor; but sh
said it was right to pay themI and that III
Lord would take care Of US, for he takes care c
even the little sparroWs. And nUw kIOv
that be does take care Of US; for he has mad
all these nice berries to grow; and shall pic
them and sell them, and earn great deal O
money for my mother"
The tears came to Isabel's eyes as she listen
ed to the simple story Of the little berry-girl.
''What if your name, little girl" she asked
as the child paused in her story.
'JennY, miss,-Jenny Green" was the reply
And Jenny got up from the grass where sh
had been neeling, and dropped her little couI
tesY, as her mother had taught her to do Whe
any one inquired her name.
Isabel's companions smiled; but she locke
-. 4
YOU will bring your berries to our house at 81
o'clock, we will buy them all, and my MANN
will give you some tea and sugar for your sic
mother. Do you know where Mr.. CrawfOr
liVes!"
How Jenny's eyes sparkled, al. she IePlie
mOh, YES, miss-in the great white house wit
the beautiful garden! l will bring the berrie
. And, oh, nv mother will be so glad to have
cup of tea She never buys any nowi but
always made her feel better when she was siG
and tired"
"Very well, Jenny; she shall have nice CT
this evening"" said Isabel, her eyes still gil
tening with tears do not forget to come
: six; / will be at home then. Goodbye for Il
{ present.
Just as the clock in the village church strut
six, Httls Jenny Green stood at the door of N
CraWford's handsome mansion. Isabel had a
forgotten her promise to be ready for her
] that hour. She had told the story to her mot
sr. and received permission to buy the berrie
and TO give Jenny several articles Of suitah
: clothing. Mrs. Crawford had packed = sml
| basket Of provisions, and had advised Isabel
Y 90 herself to the cottage, as she would thi
u Be better able to Judge of the truth Of VIII
= Jenny had told her, and could also make me
: particular inquiries into the wants Of the Po
; woman.
3 3 Jenny appeared much delighted when 81
q found that her new friend intended to aeooT
\ pany her home. al.tt
She trud9ed merTily along, with the hear
basket in one hand, and the empty pail in {
other, declining all Isabers offers Of assis .snC
until at length they stood at the door Of
: small but very neat looking cottage at the 70
of hill, 90 steep that it almost deserved q
y title Of q mountain.
K "The Young lady has come to see YOU, mot
= err exclaimed Jenny as she opened the cS
D tsge door, and invited Isabel to walk in.
= l.sbe is very kind, replied pleasant voiC
q and Mrs. Green came forward to welcome
q visitor. -.
She was neatly dressed, and had a chserf
2 conteuted expression Of fcountensnce; althou
she looked pale and feeble, as though she h
been very I'll. .G
! Isabel inquired kindly concerning her heal
AMI she replied she was much better, and hop
Z soon to be able to work again.
n For several days, Jenny continued to bri
her fresh berries 70 1Ir. Crawford's, and
ceiYed many gifts from Isabel and her mo
er. Mrs. Crawford also visited the colts
: with Isabel, and was 50 much pleased with d
Green, that she sent her own physician 10
2 her, and provided her with many comforts.
Mrs. Green's health improved very much, 8