The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1860-06-27
TIL E LOST BR ACELE EFT.

Just one penny, If you please
ma am
1t was the day before Christmas, and
late in the afternoon, beautiful and rich.
ly dressed lady was walking up Broad
way with her arms laden with brown pa.
per parcels. Hundreds of people were
hurrying along, jostling each other rs
they passed up and down the crowded
thoroughfares but her bright happy
face was like ray of sunlight in the
gathering darkness of the winter after.
noon, and the owner of the clattering
shoes that had been following her some
distance. took courage from its sweet ex-
preston, and put up its modest plea for
lust one penny"
1t was a low. pleading voice, scarcely
audible in the noise and hustle around,
yet the lady heard it, for she turned and
looked an instant at the little creature be-
fore her. Her scanty garments were a
poor protection from the frosty air, and
her gloveess hand and pale face looked
blue and pinched with the cold her
miserable hood had fallen on her should
ers, and a pair of eloquent eyes looked
up into the lady's face, while with her
stumpy broom she swept the crossing.
Never mind" said she to herself,
can walk home-this poor little thing
needs this more than | do )" and she
dropped into tie open palm before her
the onl y sixpenee left. There, child,
a merry Christmas to you." she said, IN
SWEEP, sympathzing voice, which made
the tears come into the dark eyes of the
little girl, as she tried TO thank her.
|! was long walk that the lady had
before her, and the omnibuses ratlled
along with a 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 be-
gan TO blaze out Of the windows she
reached her home She had been mar.
ried only n short time, and as she looked
around her pretty room, which her hus-
band had furnished for her in their board
ing-house. she felt more than ever CRATE
full that God had given her such hap
py home. She had not removed her hat
and cloak when she heard her husband S
step in the hall. and with smile and a
kiss she met him in the door.
Why. Kate. how tired you. look
have YOU done great deal of walking
to-day ?"
Kate blushed and smiled, but decep-
ton was not part of her nature, and
she replied
Yes, Henry. walked all the way
home"
You should not have done that"
said he little reproachfully. and then be
laughed as he continued: Did you
spend all your money, SO that you could
not afford asirpence to ride home with 2"
"Well. | suppose | must tell" said
Kate, with another blush. /" did have
jus, one sixpence left. and was going to
ride up. when such poor little girl"
Yes, that's it, know what's com
ing. Why. Kate, you make the very
mischief among the poor people and my
pennies-they are the most ungrateful
set IN the world"
But" said Kate. earnestly. !" she
was such delicate. half clothed. and,
am afraid, half starved little street sweep
er--"
Street sweeper" and her husband
held up his hands in mock horror /" why
Kate, they pick up handfulls of money in
o day; and did you walk home. and give
one whole sixpence. Oh, oh. what
won your innocent little heart do next?"
Kate bore this quizziug very we'll. and
was about to reply. when, on passing her
hand up her arm. she exclaimed. sud
denly: 20! Henry, my bracele, IL