The independent. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Kan.) 1860-1874, 1863-10-10
3nr the giHls folk.
THE GOLDEN COIN.

II was in the morning of a New
Year, that had Just set in. bright.
golden and beautiful. The sun
glis.ened like raiment in the cloud
less sky. The Ginning of silvery
sounds Of bells, struck joyfulIy on
the ears of the listener, in every
street. The air was cold, though
not piercing, bracing, though not
biting; just cold enough, in truth, TO
diffuse life and elasticity into every
one that moved.
There was a little chiid-a child
Of poverty, on that New Years
morning. walking in the gay crowd
that swept past her. Her little feet
had grown so numb. encased only
in thin shoes,and those badly worn,
that shs could but with difficulty
move one before the other. Her
cheeks shook at every step, and her
lips looked truly purple. Alas! poor
Elsie Grayl She was a poor little
beggar child!
Just like the old was the new year
to her. Just like the last wears
wants and su6erings Of this! The
change of the year brought no
change of her condition with il. She
was poor, her mother was a widow
and an invalid, and the child was
poor. poor beggar! In the old and
cherries room cleaned no bright
fires Of anniversary.
No evergreens, no wreaths. no
flowers, save a few old withered
ones, decked the time stained walls,
There was no sound OF merry voices
within the door to say to the wild
ow Gray: "a happy New Year to
you. Mrs. Gray" Heaven seemed
to have walled her and her abode
out from the happiness that was all
the worlds on that festive day Of the
year. 1t had provided, to all appear
ances. no congratulations,Eo laugh
ter,no smiles,nO flowers for them
Why! Were they outcasts! Had
they voluntarily shut themselves out
from the sunlight of living creatures
around them! Mrs. GRAY was
poor.
Little Elsie stopped al times and
breathed her hot breath upon her
benumbed fingers and stamped her
tiny feet in their thin easements
with all the force lei in them, and
then big tears stood trembling in
her large blue eyes for a moment,
and then rolled slowly down her
purple cheeks as il they would freeze
them. She had left her mother in
bed, sick, exhausted. and furnishing.
What wonder that she cried, even
though those hot tears only dripped
on the cold pavement. And they
might as we'll fall there as else
where; the many human hearts that
passed her were full as icy and har.
dened.
She would have turned back to
go home had she not thought again
other poor mother and she went on
though where she knew not. She
was to become a street beggar.-
Where should street beggars COL
What streets are laid out and mum
bered for themi Surely if not a
home where should they GO! 1
was this thought that brought those
crystal tears, that startled those ir.
repressible sobs that checked her in
slant utterance.
A little bOy-a bright looking
felIow--chanced to pass as she walk
ed and wept in sobs. tie caug;,,
the glitter OF those tears in the sun.
shine,an the sight smote his heart
He knew not what want was. lie
had never known il himself-neve
once heard of them-knew not wha
areaI beggar was. He stopped sud
denly before Elsie, and asked her tn,
cause of those tears. She cou.;
make no reply her heart was too full
"Has anybody hurt you!" aske,
the little fellow.
She shook her head.
"Have you lost your way!" h,
persisted.
She said, "No."
What Is the matter, then!'he ask
ed. ss
Another : poor and sick. and
am cold and hungry. We hav,
nothing to eat. Our room is quit
cold, and there i no wood for US
Oh! you do not know oil"
"But | WILL" replied the mani!
boy. "Where do you live?"
Twill you 60 with mel" asket
Elsie, her face Frightening.
"Yes: let me 60 with you," salt
he, "show me the way"
Through street, Jane and alley sh'
guided him. They reached the doc
Of the howell. The cold breath 0
the wind whistIed in the cracks ant
crevices and keyholes before them