Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-05-17
the LITTLE HEROINE.
BY MRS. CAROLINE SOUL

",
invalid lifted her head from the pillow and
looked pitifully over the dim room. ''Oh that
the night had been longer To the wretched,
sleep is dear. My poor, poor wifs-my darling
babies-must they freeze and starve. Oh God!
it is too much!' And with tears gushing from
his eyes, the pale man buried his head in the
scsnty covering and groaned aloud.
1t was no wonder that he was out of heart
on that cold, dark December day. At best, he
had a hard struggle to get food, and for the
past six months the struggle had been almost
desperate, for his wife had been unable TO as
sist him in the least, being confined to her bed
with slow wasting disease. His little daugh
ter Marie, pretty little child of twelve, kept
the one room tidy, and herself and two little
brothers like wax. By the aid of her mothers
whispered directions she slse managed to cook
the sesRty meals, and also managed to do up
the weekly washing and ironing.
My little sunbeam, the father fondly call
ed her, while the mother would say, in low
sweet tones, ''our ANGEL
One night the young housekeeper waited un-
til it was pitch dark for her father to come
home to his frugal supper, and then, with fear
ful forebOdings at her heart, undressed the lit
tie boys and put them to bed, and tied on her
hood and cloak to go for him. crowd met
her at the very Threshold. With a wild cry,
she rushed toward the inanimate form they
carried upon q board. 1t was her father
brought home to them with a broken leg
n
By the sale Of their few pieces of furniture,
the wolf had been kept from the door. But
now nothing remained save the coarse bed on
which the distressed ones slept. No coal for
the little CRATE no tea for the feverish lips
no crusts for the famishsd children! What
should de done?
1t was a question little Marie asked herself
again and sgain as they lay there watching
the few pale sunbeams that struggled through
the window. And she asked il oftener after
she had risen and dressed herself and brothers,
and smoothed the two beds. Bread they must
have that day. They were all faint even now,
and the boys clamoring for their breakfast.
Suddenly bright thought came to the little
daughter. She remembered having seen in the
coffee houses, young girls, no taller than she,
waiting upon the customers. Perhaps they
would try her. IF they only would" she
uurmured softly. Il am handy, quick and
patient, and would try so hard TO, Oblige."
/ sm pretty, too, she might truly have added,
had there been a spark of vanity in her heart;
for she was q sweet child, with brow like a
sunny snOwdrift, and eyes like the spring viO-
lets that nestle in the woodland. II will try,
at least, and see what 1 can do, AMI after
watching a moment the weary sleep Of her
parents, she whispered to the little boys that
she was going out to get some bread for them,
and hurried away.
She did 90 to the bakers, but her pitiful
story failed to touch his hard heart, and there
were tears on her cold cheek as she turned
away. Even if she secured place she could
hope for no wages till Saturday, and there
were four weary days between this and that.
Bread would be too late if she waited till then.
What should she do-beg? She asked herself
the question with quivering lip. Never be-
fore had their poverty driven them to that
straight and il was hard, even now, with the
picture Of that wretched home fresh in her
vision, to plead for charity. But she did it.
Again and again she said to the passers-b by,
"Piease, sir, please, ma'm, give me penny to
buy bread for my sick parents"
But the gentlemen had their overcoats but
toned to their chins, and the ladies were en-
yeloped in furs, and it was too much like
trouble to find their pocket books or purses
Just TO supply beggar's wants $50 to the
soup-h house, ;" said one, at last more churlish
than the rest. "The city provides for such as
You"
1t was q new idea TO her, and as fast as fee I
could carry her shs went, and entering in
breathless haste told her story to the attend
ant matrOn.
81 will report the case to the committee, -
said the woman quietly, making a memoran-
dun Of the name and number Of the street.
''COne in tomorrow morning, and l will do
what 1 can for you"
Tomorrow! She would be too weak to walk
SO far by that time, and what would become of
the rest
With a heavy heart, she went home, having
no courage to present herself as a waiter to any
Of the coffee houses she passed on her way.
''Did you get some," cried the boys, gather
ing about her, and pulling of her cloak to see
lift were hidden in her cloak or under her arm.
'Did You get some," said two faint voices
from the bed ia the corner, and the coverlet
was throW1 of, and two pairs Of thin, white
hands put forth.
mo, no." she answered plantively. "But
will try again. Keep up good 5opes."
l.. IL -
Yes, plenty" she said to herself, as she but
toned her cloak on the threshold; ''plenty, and
III have some too. They shall not starvs
Men and women forsske me; God doesn' hear
me any longer! There is nothing left for me
10 do but steal"
few moments there was q wild wrestle in her
heart. Then she went On quietly, psusing an
instant before each bakers door, and looking
anxiousIy within. By and by she found one
that seemed empty.
A whole pile Of stssming losves lay upon
the counter.
She rushed in and SeiZsd one, and hiding 1t
under her cloak, fed madly up the street.
But the baker had seen her from the little
sitting room door, and was after her, crying
Justify, "Stop thief, stop thief" crowd
followed her and the poor child was soon run
down.
"a clear case, said the police officer, who
took her in hand-"preperty found on her.
She must go the court room"
In vain she pleaded with them, and told her
story. "They must do their duty, she might
have begged; she might have gone to the SOUP
house; there Was no excuse for stealing, at any
rate -
No excuse, and her mother was dying for
food, =
An important trial was just closing, and all
the avenues to the court house were thronged.
They'll be through soon, said the officer
tn the baker; "we'n wait here a few moments
No danger Of her getting away while my grip
is on her." and he frightened his grip on the
shrinking arm till the flesh quivered with
pain.
Take me home 6rst, !" she said sadly; they
will worry about me 50. My poor mother viii
die if she thinks I'm lost.
They'll soon find out where you are" said
be, grufay. Bad news is like lightning, it trav-
els 30 fast"
"oh dear. oh dear What will hecoma of