The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1860-02-15
for the Donle Gnele.
IsABEL,s BIRTHDAY.

.
What an odd little figure 7 exclaimed Isa-
bel Crawford, one of the merry party of school
girls, who, with baskets and tin boxes in their
hands, were roaming through the woods and
fields. one delightful summer afternoon. in
search of flowers to arrange in their herbari-
ums I'D
Isabers eompaBions looked in the direction
to which she pointed, and echoed her excla.
nation as they sRw q little girl with sun
bonnet almost as large as herself upon her
head. and cap upon her shoulders extending
almost to her naked feet.
Isabel walked hastily toward the little ber-
ry-girl. followed by several OF her companions.
The child looked up timidly as they ap
prosehed, and seemed half inclined to run
away ; but Isabels smiling countenaDce and
kind words soon re-assured her, and she pick
ed away as industrously as ever.
What large pail of berries you have
gathered T said Isabel Are you going to sell
any Of them 7 or will you and your brothers
and sisters eat them for your supper 2
20, have no brothers and sisters, miss re
Piled 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.
l am going to sell the berries in the village
/ sold four quarts yesterday, and to day / shall
have six or eight 10 sell. Mother will be very
glad"
DO you give all the money to your moth
er y asked Isabel.
Yes, Indeed, miss she needs it all very
much. She used to sew great deal, and then
we had all we wanted; but she grew so sick
and weak, that the doctor said she must not
sew any more. Then we grew very poor, and
at last We had to sell our COW. Oh! was
very sorrowful then; for loved poor Moody
SO much could milk her myself she was
SO gentle But mother said it would be wrong
! her to eat. Before my father died. she gave
great deal Of milk and we used to sell i,
to the neighbors. and that helped US along
very much but when we grew poor, and
could not feed her very we'll, she gave very lit
tie milk so we had none to sell. was afrait
We should never have any more money wher
mother took all that Farmer Jennings CAV,
her for the cow. and paid the grocer and tn,
doctor but she said it was right to pay them
f and that the Lrd would take care of us, 70
/ he takes care Of even the little sparrows-
And now know that he does take care @
US !; for be has made all of these nice berrie
to grow and shall pick them and sell then
and earn a great deal of money for m
mother"
The tears came to Isabel's eyes as she lii
g tened to the simple story of the little berry
e girl.
/. What is your name, little girl ? she aske'
/, as the child paused in her story.
IS Jenny, miss,-Jenny Green" was the r.
n ply. And Jenny got up from the grass wher
it she had been kueeing. and dropped her litt
e courtesy. as her mother had taught her TO d
!. when any one inquired her name.
!, Isahels companions smiled but she locke
d very serious as she said. Well, little girl.
s you will bring your berries to our house at 81
. o'clock, we will buy Them all. and my MANN
D. viii give you some tea and sugar for your sic
8. mother. Do you know where Mr. Crawfol
yflives ?
ofI How Jenny's eyes sparkled. as she replie
Oh, yes, miss-in the great white house wi
the beautiful garden ! / will bring the be
ries. And, oh, my mother will be SO glad
10 have cup of tea ! She never buys any nov
e hut it always made her feel better when 81
10 was sick and tired
,e Just as the clock in the village chur,
10 struck six, little Jenny Green stood at t
as door of Mr.. Orawfords handsome mansion
be Isabel had not forgotten her promise to
= ready for her at that hour. She had told t
= story TO her mother, and received permissi
to buy the berries, and to give Jennie sever
articles of suitable clothing. Mrs. Grawfo
had packed a small basket of provisions, a
let had advised Isabel to go herself to the c.
Mt !tage as she would then be better able to jud
on lof the truth of what Jenny had told her, a
E, could also make more particular inquiries ii
5. the wants Of the poor woman.
an Jenny appeared much delighted when
as found that her new friend intended to acco
vas pany her home.
o. She trudged merrily along, with the hea
ron basket in one hand, and the empty pail in
ara other declining all Isabers offers of assstau
om- until at length they stood at the door o
ous small but very neat-looking cottage at
e1. foot of hill, SO steep that it almost deser,
the name of mountain.
:, The young lady has come to see you, me
er exclaimed Jenny, as she opened the {
tage door, and invited Isabel to walk in.
lam She is very kind, replied pleasant vol
orid and Mrs. Greene came forward to welcc
lher visitor. ~f5~