Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-05-17


tomorrow. Good bye-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
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" d.
She sat down on the marble steps and pom
dered. All at once her eyes frightened, and
beautiful color flushed her face.
I'll do it, she said resolately; I" mamma
will forgive me, when she knows all. Without
Ere, without food, nearly naked, quite starved.
., she will be glad thought so far" and she
bounded dswn the street and rushed 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 II. He ushered her into the inner
room, saying he would call him.
Her heart futtered 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 tO-night-no2" as she shook her
head, 'why nOt?-you 90 certainly; you are
my dear!"
For a 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 sstonishsd. What
could the child mean. To cut those curls
long, silken and gold colored, the pale gold of
stray sunbeam, it would have been sacrilege
almost for a mother to have done il; to sell
them was surely a crime.
docs she, your mother, does she know you
come here2"
"No. sir: but she will not blame me when 1
tell her how it was. o, no, she is too good"
And how is it, my dear Make q friend
of me, and tell me how it comes you ask me to
buy your hair" and he stroked the glossy
curls as tenderly as father might.
She hesitated, and then opened her heart to
him. There was a mist on his eyes when she
finished her plaintive story. He walked the
door moment as if irresslute, then stopping
before her, he took out his pocket book, and
handed her two half eagles. She put them in
her purse, and quietly took off her hood.
"Not now, my little angel ~ he said, huski-
ly; "not now, 1 am too busy, tomorrow will
do rs we'll; or stay; will 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 pave
ment. She could hardly speak when she had
reached bakers shop.
Two loaves, sir-large ones, too" she
gssped, and threw down one of the gold pieces
The man stared at her curiously The color
rose to her brow, but she said nothing, and
hurried away with her warm fragrant bundle.
els it you. Marie? What kept you so 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 over her shoul-
ders like riBles of sunshine.
Marie cannot come home yet ;" she said
in voice that was as sweet as a robins in
Maytime "But she will return tomorrow;
perhaps this evening. She has sent me with the
bread. See the two nieo loaves I've brought
you" and she tore it in fragments. Tears
coursed 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 be, and live.
81 must 60 now" she said, opening the
door; "but / will come again soon and max 0
you comfortable" and she hurried to the
nearest grocer and bought a basket full of pro-
visions, and engaged him to send in some
kindlings and coal.
The little boys helped her to build fire in
the cold stove, and when il blszed merrily she
put on the kettles, and soon had a refreshing
| cup of tea for each invalid and platter OF
smoking potatoes for the children.
"Where is Maria do you know, little an
gel ?" asked the sick mother, as she gave back
| the cup.
go, yes, know" she answered cheerfulIy.
Didn't i say she would be home early to-
! morrow! Don't worry. Better days are
coming I'll bring her in the morning. Good
bye
1t was as though fairy had come and van
iaho ind haar rfal "a. E.
supply Of coal and wood, half-eagle lay in
the sick fathers hand.
hurmuring to himself all the tender adjsc-
tiTes In the French language, the good hair
dresser Immediately hastened to the court
room. The judge was a friend of his, too, and
| be hoped to save the child from prison. She
had not Yet been brought in, tine court having
adjourned for half an hour. He asked for a
private interview with the judge. As soon as
| it was granted, he told him all Mariss dis
| tress, and the generous kindness of little The
resa.
q Poor child good child !" said his listener,
wipiDg his glasses. "She must 90 to prison, [
| suppose, but it shall be to a chamber in my
own house. Go into court and tell the same
| story over, 1t will be better than a lawyers
plea"
lie did go, and there was not a dry eve in
the audience when he ceased. Even the baker
hung his head, and seemed to muse Before
the breathless silence had been broken, he
| looked up and said to the Judge, " withdraw
my complaint; let her 60 with me and take all
| she wants"
The spacious room rung 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
pocket-books as if by intuition, and when he
poured the collection into Marie's apron, she
| screamed with Joy. No more hunger, no more
cold. no more nakedness that winter. They
were rich.
The baker took her home himself, and told
her at the door not worry about bread till
spring, for his wagon would leave them all
they wanted every morning. How lightly she
bounded up the staircase. It was like bird 9
football, singing birds in the time of flowers
Have you come, Marie?" two voices spoke
at once.
Yes, mother; yes, father, and we are rich
see and she emptied her apron on the bed
How merriiy the silver a2d gold coin jingled
1t was like the echo Of q harvest song, the dis.
tsnt echo brought back by summer breezes. -
Blsss you, my little sunbeam, bless yUu.