The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1861-11-30
hand gently on The officers, she said, po-
itely:
MAY speak with her?'


begged she would by, by the love she bore
her mother, find out her humble home,
and comfort the distressed ones.
IL will, | will, the stranger replied,
earnestly; ]" and don't cry any more, my
father knows the judge, and he'll get you
away tomorrow. Good-by; keep up
good heart" and off she ran.
She knew her mother to be one of the
most charitable Of women, and fastened
home to tell ber the whole story OF Marie.
but unfortunately, she had just gone to
ride, and would not be back till near =. II
ner time.
What can do p she cried, and wrung
her hands,.
They Naat coal, and bread, and tea,
and so mgny things, and have only ten
cents in my pocket" She AT ao..n Ca
the marble steps and pond red All -
once her eyes frightened, and beautiful
color flushed her face.
"l'll do it," she said, resolutely; mann
ma Will forgive me when she knows all.
Without fire, without food, nearly naked,
quite starved o, she will lie glad that |
thought SO far, and she bounded down
the street and around the corner.
Pushing open the plate glass door Of the
most fashionable hair-dresser in the CITY,
she went quietly up to the attendant, and
asked TO see monsieur B. ue ushesed her
into the inner room, saying he would call
him.
Her heart futtered while she waited,
but her resolution did not fail her
All it Is my little Theresa, and Mon
sieur B. took her hand kindly Good
morning, dear. Come to have your ring
lets dressed fer the ball to night-noY IS
l. -, .. I.- :
certainly you are of Monsieur pupils
What is it then. my dear?'
For moment her lips quvered then
she spoYe up quickly:
You said once, sir you would give me
an eagle for my cur!s VIII you do so
now--,o day-this minute p
The hair dres ser was astoundcd What
could the child mean. To cut off these
curis, loEg, slllen. and good colored, the
golp Of stray sunbecnls, it would be sacri-
lege almost, for mother to have done it
to sell them was surely crime.
Does she, your mother, does she know
you have come hcrct
No sir; but she viii not blame when
| tell how il ives. Q, no, she Is too good.
And how is it, my dear? Make a
friend of me- and tell me how il comes you
ask me TO buy your hair" And he strok-
ed the glossy curls as tender!y as 4 father
might,
She hesitated, and then opened Lcg
heart TO him. There was n mis-. on his
eyes when she finished her pIaintve story
lis walked the floor = moment, as # rres
solute, then stopping before her lie took
out his pocket book, and handed her two
half eagles She put them in her purse.
and vu!eily took of her hood
Not nor, my little angel" lie said
huskily; " not now, | am too busy, TO NOR
row viii do as wei, stay, sill come in
the evening TIL then do not mention it
10 any one Go now on your mission, my
sister Of charity, and he led her TO the
door
How quick ne7 lille feet flew over the
payeIncu,. She could hardly speak when
she reached the bakers shop,
1.-TWO loves, sig-large ones, too, She
gasped, and She threw own OF the gold
pieces
The man stared at her curiously The
color rose to her brow, but she said moth
iag, and hariied away with her warm
fragrant bundles.
Is it YOU, marie? What kept you 50
long daughter Quick, break ne a crU2ab,
1 am ia.nt.
Like an angel the little stranger looked
TO them a. she glG,d IN. her checks Ike
apple blossoms. and her hair failing over
her shoulders like r.pYles If sunshine.
Marie can.ot come home vet, said
she, in a voice that was as sweet as
robin in May time. But she VIII return
10 morrow; perhaps this evening. She
has sent me Hith tho bread. See the two
nice loayes I've brought you, and she
tore them in fragments. Tears cour.ad
her face as she saw how eager they
clutched them. She had never dreamed
of poverty like this, never known how
hungry folks could be and live.
Il must 20, now she said, opening the
door, but ! twill come again soon and
make you comfortable and she hurried
to the nearest grocers and bought a bas
ket full of Provisions, and engaged him
to send some kindlings and coal.
/ The little boys helped her build fire,
in the coal stove, and when il blazed mer-
rily, She put over the kettles, and soon
had a refreshing cup Of tea. for eao inva-
/ lid, and platter Of smoking potatoes for
/ the chrildeu.
Where is Marie, do you know, little
angel? asked The sick mother, as she
! gave back the cup.
/ 90, yes, know, she answered cheer
I fully "Didn't | say she would be home
( early tomorrow. Don't worry. Better
/ days are coming. Ill bring heI in the
morning. Good bye
1t was as though a fairy had come, and
/ vanished; a kind hearted fairy, ;oo for
/ besides the supply OF coal and food, half
/ eagle lay in the sick fathers hand.
Murmuring to himself all the tender ad-
.jectves in the French language, the good
/ hairdresser Immediately FASTENED to the
courtroom. The judge was friend Of
his, too, and he hoped to save the child
from prison. She had not yet been
brought in, the court having adjourned for
half an hour lie asked for private in
terview with the judge. AS soon as it
was granted he told him all Maries dis
tress, and the generous kindness of little
/ Theresa.
Poor child good chldr said his lis
tener, wiping his glasses. She muss go to
! prison, | suppose; but it shall be a cham
! Der in my own house. Go into court and
tell the same story over; it will do better
than a lawyers plea"
He did so, and there was not a dry eye
! in the Hudience when he ceased. Even
the baker hung his head and seemed to
muse Before the breathless silence had
bee II broken, he looked up and said TO the
Judge q" | withdraw my complaint; let
her 20 with me and get all she wants
The spacious room rang with applause,
and while the enthusiasm was at its
height. a thoughtful old man went about
the crowd with his hat. Peoples fingers
found their pockets as if by intuition, and
when he poured the collection iuto Marie :
apron She screamed with Joy. Nomose
cold, no more hunger, no more nakedness
that winter. They were rich.
The baker took her home himself, and
told her at the door not to worry about
bread till spring, for his wagon would
leave them all they needed, every morn
ing. low lightly she bounded up the