The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-07-27
rHE LITTLE STRAWBERRY
= GIRL.
ny MISS Z. W. BARNS.


Strawberries Strawberries! Who
will buy? Who will buyW
The musical voice Of Nellie trilled tno
words 50 swectly, that the memory ol the
tones fingered with tho passcr,by as nc went
TO his daily task, and haunted him through
the long hours like the remembrance oi
low that has passed away. Her rosy iace'
too, was worthy Of place In memory, win
its sunny smiles and dimplcs, shaded by cart
less, natural curls, and its soft, black eyes,
large, and full, and dreamy. IL was NOT
beautiful only, but 10 Indicative oil goodness
ond purity, and all that We most love to cher
ish us heart picture Of childhood.
Many an eye turned TO look after Nellie,
as sho trippcd along in the bright Juno
morning, In her neat pink calico and whito
apron, and large straw hat shading her pref
~ face, while her little basket Of fruit, COW
cred with dcwy fresh green leaves, wero
strung picturcsquely over her arm and should
er; and her hands each contained larger
basket, filled to oyerflowing with smaller
ones. She was 10 neat and attractive in her
aspect, that many, who would have passed
Others by unheeded, stopped to purchase tho
tempting fruit OF Nellie, who was well known
as shc came with the other beautiful things
of summer, and trilled her little song like
bird beneath the open windows.
Strawberries Strawberries! Who
who will buy? Who will buy?"
"Come In child. What is your price!"
"Tcnpence basket, Mis-"
Nelly stepped into the spacious hall oil
fashionable house in Montague street, where
a young lady stood in her morning, robe,
with flowers in her hand, just gathered from
the conservatory, and surrounded with all
tho appliances Of wealth and luxury.
"Well, they arc worth oil that-so fresh
and ripc. Give me half o dozen baskets.
Here Mary"
And as Mary emptied tho baskets, shc
drew out her portmonnaic and dropped ino
sixty cents In five and tens, INTO Nciiies iit-
tic purse-not into her hand, rs the reader
must remember; for this apparently Trivia,
act was the pivot on which turned the moral
event of the day of our story.
The smile with which she received tho mon
ey and thanked her for 1t, penetrated likc o
sunbeam into tho heart OF Minnie Hamilton
for there was coldness therc--.the chill OF dis
content and disappointment, which lind their
way. sometimes, even into luxurious homes;
and the association Of poverty, born IN aillu-
enco rs she had been. :. >,
+" You seem very happy" said she, re-
spondinc to Nellie's smile. Z" DO you earn
your living by selling stnwbcrries.
" Yes miss. In the summer sell berries;
in the winter go to school part OF the day,
and help mother the other part.
{" And what makes you - happy. Can
Won tell me tho secrctg"
I" Mother says we must be bright and hap,
nv because we have ~ much.to DO thankful
Minnie looked at her in amazcmcnt.
US So much t6 DO thankful for ~ thought
she "and in their position How does
your mother support herself, child?"
"She takes in common sewing miss. Some
times she sews half the night"
"Then what in the world has she 10 bc %
very thankful for 7" she exclaimed, and
silent self.rcproach came stealing up from
her heart, that she had - often murmuIcd
over some evil In her own lot, which certain
ly seemed bright one in COMPARISON.
Nelly smiled again swectly US she answer
cd -
"Some people as good as wc arc have no
home and nothing to eat. But mother and
II u
her work all day long, because, she says,
God is so good to us. We have bread and
potatoes every day, and ON Sunday We have
meat don't you think, miss, that is somc-
thing to DO thankful for?" she asked simp-
ly. ..
A deeper tint glowcd upon Minnic's check.
EYES, yes, child" sho answered nervous
ly; and then followed pause during which
she stored away in her heart, like hidden
treasure, which was to be rc-pcruscd often In
after wears, when discomfort caused her 10
murmur at somo little cloud, real or imagin-
ary, that hung over her destiny. And sho
thought within herself" Il is your own
sunny heart, poor child, that robes the world
for you In Its own lovc-lightcd and rose tint
cd atmosphere. You arc happier far than !;
may God forgive mc3'
Minnie Hamilton, q beautiful girl Of cigh.
teen, was an only daughter, pcttcd and idol
ized by her parents. Indulgence had injur-
ed, though Il had not spoiled her. So fully
had every wish of her heart been gratiiicd
from her birth that she regarded II rs kind
of privilege peculiar to her condition, ~
murnur II the slightest shadow came be-
tween her and the fulflmcnt Of her most cx-
trayagant desires. Poor Minnie poor,
though abounding lin riches. "0nc thing
thou lackcst, thing, which wealth
cannot purchase-thc Joy Of sunny and
contented heart.
Yet Minnie had noble qualities; gcncrosi-
~ and active bcneyolence with strong moral
and religious principles. Ono shadow, tho
shadow Of discomfort clouded them all.
Nellie had put her little purse into tho
pocket Of her apron; and now she i'sucd In
10 tho street again and RECOMMENDED her
strawberry song, until she was summoned by
another customer who purchased largely.
Al she was about adding tho payment sho
received to her little store, she discovered
small rent in her purse, and sitting down
she emptied tho money into her apron 10 ox-
anime 1t. As shc did %, she discovered
among the fives and tens gold dollar which
had evidently been given her by the first Gus
toner.
al will go right back with IT," thought
Nellie.
She wanted however TO rc.arrangc her bask-
cts and while doing 30, tho temptcr camo
with evil thoughts to tst her strength OF
principle.
"Why go back with itl" said the wicked
voice perhaps the lady meant to give It,"
I" Bat do not know that" said tho ten.
der conscience Of Nelly.
"well, you can do good with i, said
the voice, appealing artfully to her filial love;
you can purchase something for your moth
or. She works hard enough for all she has,
and this will buy her neat dress to wear "
church. y.lIv
For q momcnt-only 0 momens-Sety At
IL
thought how pleasant i woula would n now pretty
nice calico to dear mother, ~ s"s soo shc could
earn enough to Day syyia e IIs si.. max her
ana now hapy ,ho suiIs died away on Mel.