Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1861-05-24

stealing, at any rate.
| No excuse, and her mother was dyin,
for food
An important trial was just closing ,anC
all the avenues to the courthouse were
closed
"Theyll be through soon, said the Of
fcer to the baker "we'll wait here few
moments. No danger of her getting away
while my grip is on her, and he frightened
his hold on her shrinking arm till the flesh
quivered with pain.
''Take me home, first" she said sadly
they will worry about me So My poor
mother will die if she thinks am lost"
sThey'll soon find out where you are, y
said he, grufly. "Bad news is like light
ming; it travels fast"
go, dearl o, dearl What will become
Of them y and she sobbed aloud
A little girl, about her own age, was pass
ing by--a rich mans child; you would
have known it by the embroidered dress
and cloak, the rich velvet hood, and the
costly fur tipped muf. But there was no
false pride hidden under the expensive raj
ment warm heart was beating there e,and
its sympathies went out largely toward the
little prisoner. For moment she paused,
as if irresolute upon her plan of action -
then laying her mittened hand gently on
the officers fingers, she said politely :
"May speak with her ?"
80, yes; she's not committed yet"
Putting her soft, rosy cheeks close to
the parple-cold one, she whispered very
earnestly. Marie told her touching story,
and begged she would, by the love she bore
her own mother, find out their humble
home, and comfort the distressed ones
81 will, / will, f" the stranger replied ear
nestly; "and don't you cry any moro; my
father knows the judge, and he'll get you
away tomorrow. Good-bye-keep up a
good heart, and off she ran
She knew her mother to be one of the
most charitable of women, and fastened
home to- tell her the story of Marie but,
unfortunately, she had just gone to ride,
and would not be back till near dinner
! time.
"What can do !? she cried, and wrung
her hands. "They want coal, and bread,
and tea, and so many things; and have
only ten cents in my pocket" She sat
down on the marble steps, and pondered.
All at once her eyes frightened, and beau
tiful color flushed her face.
"I'll do it" she said, resolutely; man
ma will forgive me, when she knows all.
Without fire, without food, nearly naked,
quite starved. o. she will be glad tho t
so far !" and she bounded down the street,
and rushed around the corner
Pushing open the plate glass door of the
| mi 80 hlo hair - o.k
she went quietly up to an attendant, and
asked to see Monsieur B. He ushered her
into an inner room, saying he would call
him. Her heart futtered while she wait
ed but her resolution did not fail her
"Ah c'stma belle Therese;" and Mon
sieur B. took her hand kindly. "Good
morning dear. Come to have your ring
lets dressed for the ball to o-night2-no," as
she shook her head, set pour quoi ?-you
go certainly; you are one of Monsieur s
best pupils What is it, then, ma petite?"
For moment her lips quivered; then
she spoke up quickly:
"You said once, sir, you would give me
an eagle for my curls, Will you do it
now-to-day-this minute
The hair-dresser was astonishod. What
could the child mean2 To cut off those
curls, long, silken, and gold colored, the
pale gold of stray sunbeam--it would be
sacrilege almost for mother to have done
it; to sell them was surely crime.
"Does she votre mercedes she know
you come here "
"No, sir, but she will not blame me-
when l tell her how it was. o, no. she is
too good"
"And how is it, ma belle? Make friend
of me, and tell me how it comes you ask
me to buy your hair2" and he stroked her
hair as tenderly as father might.
She hesitated, and then opened her heart
to him. There was a mist in her eyes
when she finished her plaintive story. He
walked the floor a moment. as if irresolute
then, stopping before her, he took out his
Ipocket-book and handed her two half ca.
giles. She put them in her purse, and then
quietly took off her hood.
"Not, now, ma petite, mere ange, he said
huskily; not now--Iam too busy to-mor.
row will do as we'll. Or, stay, will come
in this evening. Till then, do notmentior
it to any one. Go now on your mission, mo
sem de charlie" and he led her to the
door.
How quick her little feet few over the
pavements She could hardly speak wher
she had reached the bakers shop.
"Two loaves, sir-large ones, too" she
gasped, and threw down one of the gold
pieces.
The man stared at her curiously. The
color rose to her brow, but she said moth
ing, and hurried away with her warm, fra
grant bundle.
"Is it you, Marie? What kept you sc
long, daughter ? Quick break me a crumb
| am faint"
Like an angel the little stranger looked
to them as she glided in, her cheeks like
apple blossoms, and her hair falling oveI
her shoulders like ripples of sunshine"
\ "Mario cannot come home yet" she