Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-12-28
q Nay | speak viii her q

tsl will, will, the stranger replied sa'n n
estly; and don't you cry any more; my tata-
or knows the Judge, and hell get you away
tomorrow. Good bye-keep up good
hssFt;p and off she ran.
She knew her mother 10 be Oae OF the
most charitable of women, and FASTENED
home TO tell the story OF Marie; but untOrtu-
nalely, she had Just gone 10 ride, aud would
not he back till near dinner time.
0What can do3 she cried, and Urnng
her hands.
"They want coal, and bread, and tea, and
60 many things, and | have only Ten cents IN
my pocket
She sat down on the marble steps and pen
dered. All as once her eyes frightened, and
beautiful color flushed her face.
.HIll do L." she said resOlntelyi "mamma
will forgive me, when she knows al. WIN
ont FIRE. without wood, nearly naked, quite
starved. o, she Wih be 50 glad thorgetso so
far,p and she bounded down the street and
rushed around the -orner.
Pushing open the plste-glass door Of the
] most fashionable hair-dresser in the city, she
went quietly up 10 the attendant, and asked
to see Monsieur B. He ushered her into the
inner room, saying he would call him.
Her heart hnttered while she waited, but
her resolution did not fail her.
"Ah, it is my little Theresa" and Monsieur
B, took her hand kindly. "Good morning
dear. Come to have your ringlets dressed
for the ball t0-night-no2" as she SHOOK her
head ''why not2-you 60 certainly; Jor are
enc of Monsieurs' best pupils. What is it
then my dear"
For a momsut her lips quivered; then she
spoke mp quickly.
'.You said once, sir, you would give re an
eagle for my carls. win you doit now-to-
day-this miuute2"
The hair dresser was astonished. What
/ could che child mean. To cut of these curls,
/ long, sTlken and gold eOlored, the pale gold
of a stray sunbeam, it would be secriIege al
most for a mother to have done Il; 20 sell
them was surely crime.
'!0oes she, your mother, does she know
you come here
mo, sir; but she will not blame ne when
I tell her how it was. o, no, size is too
gOod2"
''And how is it. my dear2 Make friend
Of me, and tell me how it comes you ask me-
to buy your hair" and he stroked her glossy
ourls as tenderly as a father might.
She hesitsted, aud then opened her heart
/ TO him. There was a mist on bis eyes when
she finished her plaintive story. Ee wslked
the loor q moment as if irresolute, then stop
! ping before her, he took out his pocket book
i and handed her two half eagles She put
them in her purse, and quietly took Of her
hood.
aNot now, my little angel p he said hus-
kily; not now, I am too busy; tomorrow
viii do as we'll; or stay, | viii come in
this evening. Till then do not mention it
to any one. Go now on your mission, my
sister Of charity" and be led her TO the
door.
How quick her little feet few over the
/ pavement. She could hardly speak when
she had reached bakers shop.
HTWo loaves, sir-lsrgs ones, too, she
gasped, and threw down one Of the gold
pieces.
The man stared at her euriously. The
color rose 10 her brow, but she said moth
ing, and hurried away with her warm fra
grant bundle
ais it you, Marie What kept you so
long, daughter Quick, break re q crumb,
an faint"
Like On angel, the little stranger looked
70 them as she glided in, her cheeks like
D. EHDNG glN11Q41f Gnu AGA ANAE AGaAAA--k 1NNA
her shoulders like ripples of sunshine.
4 ."Marie cannot come yet, she said, in
voice that was ss sweet ss robins in
Maytime. But she will return tomorrow;
perhaps this evening She has sent me
with the bread. See the two nice lOaTes
/ I've brought you,n and she tore them in
fragments. Tears cOuFsed down her face
as she saw how eager they clutched them.
She had never dreamed Of poverty like this;
never known how hungry folks may &c and
live.
i'I must go now" she said, opening the
door shut | will come again soor and
make you comfortable and she hurried TO
the nearest grocer and bought basket
full of provisions, and engaged hin to send
in some kindlings and coal.
The little boys helped her build FIRE in
/ the cold stove, and when it blssed merriiy,
she put over the kettles, and socn had q
refreshing cup Of tea for each invalid, and
. platter Of smoking potatoes fer the chill
dren.
rWhere is Marie, do you know, little
i angel ?" asked the sick mother, as she gave
back the cup.
30 yes, know" she answered, cheer
fnlly. "DidR't l say she would be home
| early tomorrow Don't worry. Better
days are coming. I'll bring her in the
morning. Good bye"
II WAS as though fairy had come and
vanished; kind-hssrted fairy, too, for
besides the supply Of coal and food, half
eagle lay in the sick fathers hand.
MurmuriDg to himself all the tender ed-
! iectives in the French language, the good
hair-dresser Immediately hsstensd to the
court room. The judge was friend Of his
| too, and he hoped to save the child from
I prison. She had not yet been brought in,
the court having adjourned for half an
hour. He asked for q private interview
with the judge. As soon as it vas grant
4 cd, he told him all Msries distress, and the
generous kindness Of little ThereFs
t'Po0r child good child" said his lis
teuer, Wiping his glasses. " She must 60
to prison, suppose, but it shall be cham
bef ia my own house. Go into court, and
tell the same story over; it viii be better
l7thsn alawyer's plea"
He did 50, and there was not dry eye
| in The audience when he ceased. Even the
baker hung his head, and seemed 70 muse.
Before the breaihiess silence had been
broken, he looked up and said to the Judge,
al withdraw my complaint; let her 60
with me and take all she wants"
I The spacious room rung with applause,
| and while the enthusiasm was at its hight,
8 thoughtful old man vent about the crowd
with his hat. Peoples fingers foCnd their
pOckst-books as by intuition, and when he
poured the collection into Marie's apron,
she screamed with joy. No more cold, no
more hunger, no more nakedness, that win
ter. They were rich.
The baker took her home himself, and