The Portland daily press., 1862-12-18
MISCELLANY.
MARCIA ANDERsoN,s REWARD.

1t was cold day in November in the city
Of. The wind sighed mournfully, and the
sleet ratified against the windows, making a
dismal sound All nature seemed to be mourn
ing the death of the flowers, and even little
Marcia Anderson sighed as she looked out of a
window of her grand home, and thought how
long IL would be before summer would come
again. And, as she gazed out upon the war
ring elements, she noticed that a little boy,
barefoot and ragged sat upon the stone in
front of the house. He was crying bitterly
In an instant she had sprung from her chair.
The next she was beside the lad, with her little
arms around his neck.
"What ails you. poor little boy" she asked.
"Oh, am so hungry, and have nothing to
eat. Mother and sister are starving, too.
Mother can't get any work, nor l can't neither.
Oh, wish could die.' sobbed the boy.
MARCIA Marciar' called voice from with
In.
"There's mamma calling me,n said the child I;
"she don't like to have me talk to ragged chill
dren; but papa says they are as good as we
are
Marcia! Marciar' was again called.
"There, must 60 But am sorry you are
hungry. and / Amt got anything for you to
eat. Oh! YOU shall have that bright silver
dollar Uncle Joe gave me this morning. Here
1t isl
MARCIA come in this instantr'
"Oh. you are so good" exclaimed the boy
81 will never forget you-never.
He raised his great melancholy eyes to her
plying ones as he spoke, and Marcia never
forgot what volumes of gratitude were spok-
en- there. fashionably dressed lady now
made her appearances at the door.
chow dare you disobey Yep" she asked of
the trembling child, giving her singing slap
upon her white shoulders. Then, catching
her by the arm, she dragged her into the
house and closed the door, leaving the boy
with throbbing heart and flashing eyes, and
standing outside.
Fifteen years have passed, and Marcia An
derson is alone in the world. Her fashiona-
BILE mother had found an early grave, and her
father had become a bankrupt and died with
grief Friends that once smiled on her, how
knew her not. She was truly alone.
One of her friends, a little more generous
than the rest, had offered her home until she
could find another; but, after a few weeks,
she received hints that she was no longer
wanted there; and, one day, when she went
out in search of employment, she determined
not to return to that house.
But no one seemed to have anything for her
to do. Night was coming on, cold and dreary.
Old friends passed her without the slightest
nod of recognition and even he who was to
have been her friend and protector, bowed
coldly TO her.
"And this is the world" she murmured-
"when could charm them with my gold they
were all smiles; but, now that my gold is gone,
they know me not. Arthur, too is like the
rest. o Heaven, sustain me in this trying mo-
mentr
At that moment tall handsome gentleman
stepped up to her, and asked:
Have l the honor of addressing Miss An
derson?"
"That is my name" she replied.
"Are you in search of home and employ
ment ?n he asked.
She looked up into his face. 1t was a frank,
manly one; she was not afraid to trust him,
and she answered:
"Oh, yes, can you tell me where l can find
themw
"Yes. Yonder white cottage, with the green
blinds, is not stylish one. And there a low
ing mother, gentle sister, and sweet little
cousin are ever waiting to greet YOU"
She looked up in establishment and said:
IL do not think | understand you rightly"
Miss Anderson" he went on. with enthusi-
asm, ''once very little girl gave a silver dol
lar to a starving boy, and was punished for so
doing. The food and fuel which that money
purchased revived the starving family; and
the next day he went out in search of employ
ment and found it. Gradually, as the boy
neared manhood. their circumstances changed
until, at last, they found themselves in a hap
Ply home surrounded by all the comforts and
many of the luxuries OF life But deep in the
heart of each is enshrined the memory of that
angel: and her name is there, a household
word, too sacred 10 be mentioned before the
rude world. Miss Anderson, the boy is here,
the mother and sister are waiting for you in
the cottage yonder. Will you be my sister?'
Il remember you," she said, looking up into
his face with happy smile. Heaven has in
deed raised me up friend will be your sis
ter, but will work with you, and will not be
burden to you"
"Well, If you must have employment, Ihave
little cousin whom you may teach when you
have learned to love her for your own sake
few moments later Marcia found herself
clasped in the arms of Walter Marylands
mother, who welcomed the orphan with true
affection, and called her daughter. But when
the bright eyed maid, April, came, dropping
flowers at every step, and whispering sweet
songs in the ears of the binds, Marcia had in
deed found a mother as well as a noble hus-
band, upon whose manly bosom she might lay
her heard, and say she was truly blessed.