Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1861-01-04

counter. She rushed in and seifing one.
hiding ID under her cloak. aed madly up
the street. But the baker had seen her
from the little slttins'rCom door, and was
after her, crying Ou, Justify, stop thief,
stop thief" A crowd had followed her,
her, and the poor child was soon run down.
"A clear ca'O," said the police officer.
who took her in hand" property found on
her. She must 60 to the eOur, room"
In vain she pleaded with them, and told
her story. "They mus, do their duty
'h, nigh, have gone to the soup.hOusc
there vas no excuse for stealing q, any
rate"
No excuse, and her mother was dyias for
food.
An important, trial was jus, closing, and
all the avenues to the courthouse wero then
thropged.
" They'll be through soon, said the Off.
Ger to the baker "we'll wsi, here n few
moments, No danger Of her getting away,
nv suP !, on her"
Take me home first, she said, sadly
" they will worry abou, me 80. My poor
mother will die II she think. I'm lost, -
They'll soon end on, where you arr,
said be. "Bad news is like lightning. il,
travels fast"
"Oh dear o. dear wha, will become
Of them"
4 little girl abou, her own ssc wa, pas.
sing by. rich mans child; you would
know i, by the embroidered dress and cloak,
the rich velre, hood, and the costly iur tip
pe, aud NUT Be, there was no false pride
hidden under the expensive raimen,; a
warm heart was beating there. and it, sym
pathies went out towards the poor little
prisoner. For a mOmen, she paused as il
irrc-olutc upon her plan Of action. then
laying her ml,,encd hand gently on the Of.
scer'. finger, aid
MAY | 'peak to her ,"
80. ye,."
Pu,,ine her soft. rosy cheek elosc TO the
one. she whispered very carne-i.
ly. Marie told her touching story, and
begged she would, by the love she bore her
own mother. snd ou, their humble home
and comfort the distressed ones.
- will, | ~ill," the stranger replied,
earnestly and DON, cry any more, my
father knows the judse. aud he'll Sc, you
away tomorrow. Good.by, keep upa good
heart ;" and OF she ran.
She knew her mother 70 De one OF the
mos, ehariiable Of women. and FASTENED
home 10 tell her the story OF Marie, but
unfortunately, she had JUS, gone TO ride,
and would no, - back till dinner time.
"wha, eau do9' she cried and wrung
her hands. They wan, coal, and bread,
and tea, and 80 many things. and have
only ten cents in my pocket" She "a,
down on the marble step, and pondsrcd 4
while. All a, once her ewes Frightened,
and bcau,ifal color flushed her face.
"I'll DO H." she said rc-olutely ma
ma will forgive mc when she knows all.
Without Ere. without, food. nearly naked,
quite s.arrei-O. she will be glad though,
- far" and she bounded down the stree,
and rushed around the corner.
Pushing open the glass door Of the mos,
fashionable saIr-dresser in tbs city, she wen,
quietly up to an attendant, and asked to
sce Monsieur b. lie ushSret her into the
inner room, saying he would call him. Her
heart aui,ered while she waited, but her
resolution did no, fail her.
"Ah, c'sa md-J,l's TAsr,J,," said Mon
sisur u. took her hand kindly. Good
morning. dear. Come TO have your rinsle,.
dressed for the ball ,o.nisht-no." as she
shook her head, "d por-7uer-you 50
certainly. you are monsieur's bc., pupil.
What IL IL then, ,nd p,iiic -
For amomeu, her lip. quivercd then she
spoke up quickly. =" You said once. sir,
you would give me an eagle for my curl',
Will you DO ii now?'
The hair.ires.er was astounded. What
could the child mean? To cut OF those
eurls-.ilken and goli.eolorcd, the pale gold
Of stray sun-beau-i, would be a sacri.
lego almost for mother 90 have done /; +.
to sell them was surely crime.
Doe. she. rotre r.0t-dOes she know
you come here ?"
"No, cir; bu, she will no, blame me
when tell her how !, was. o no, no, she
j. too good"
=. Aud how is il. mG J>l'e-make friend
Of me. aud tell me how i, comes ,ha, you
want the to buy your hair ?" and he .,rOked
the Ion: glossy curl. As tendsrly as any
father might.
She hesita,ed. aud then opened her heart
10 him. There was mis-, on hi. eyes when
she finished her plalntiye story. lie walk
ed the aoor some time u. If irre.olute, then
stopping before Der. he took out his pocket.
book and handed her two half.eagles. She
pa, them in her purse and quietly took Of
her hood.
I" No, now, ma p,iiis mere sHs'." he said
husklly; "nO, now, | am too busy TO-
morrow will DO rs well /; or stay, 1 will
come this evening. Till then, DO not men
tiou i, to any one. Go now on your mis-
sion. aud he led her TO the door.
How quick her little feet dew over the
pavement.. She could scarcely speak when
she reached bakers.
1.-Two lOave.. cir, large ones, too" che
gasped, and she threw down one Of the gold