The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1863-06-11
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-s 60
| BETTER than I'D iamOmdH.
was standing in the broad, crowded streets
of a large city. 1t was cold winters day.
There had been rain and although the sun
had been shining brightly,yet the long icicles
| hung from the caves of the house, and the
wheels rumbled loudly as they passed over the
ground. There was clear, bright look, ano
cold, bracing feeling in the air, and keen
northwest wind, which quickened every step
Just then little girl came running along
poor, ill-cIad child. Her clothes were scant
and threadbare; she had no cloak and NJ
shawl. and her little bare feet looked red and
suffering She carried a bundle in her hand.
As she passed me her foot slipped and she
| feb with a cry of pain; but she held the bun
die tightly in her hand and jumping up, al
though she linped sadly, endeaVored to run as
before.
stop, little grill" said a sweet voice, and
beautiful woman, wrapped in huge shawl
with furs and cape around her, came out OF a
jewellers store close by. "Poor child" she
said, {" are you hurt ? Sit down on this step
and tell me-"
How | loved her, and how beautiful she
looked.
ooh. l cannot" said the child; Il cannot
wait; am in such hurry! | have been to
the shoemakers; and mother must finish them
tonight, or she will never get anymore shoes
to bind"
s"ro-night ?" said the beautiful woman, ''to-
night"
kind manner had made her bold-''Yes for
the great ball tonight And these satin slip
! pers must be spangled and
The beautiful woman took the bundle from
! the child's hand, and unrolled IT. You do not
| know why her face flushed, and then turned
pale But Yes. Hooked in the bundle
and on the inside of slipper | saw a name,
written but l shall not tell it.
'.And where does your mother live, my lit
tie girl?'
So the little girl told her where; and then
she told her that her father was dead, and
that her little brother was sick, and that her
mother bound shoes that they might have
bread but that sometimes they were very
cold. and that her mother sometimes cried
because she had no money to buy milk fol
her little brother And saw that the lady's
ewes were full of tears; and she rolled up the
bundle quickly, and gave it back to the child;
but she gave her nothing else; no, not even q
sixpence; and, turning away, went back into
the store from which she had just come out.
AS she went way,I saw the glitter Of diamond
pin. Presentlysshe came back, and stepping
into handsome carriage, rolled Off The
little girl looked after her moment, and then
with her little bare feet, colder than before,
ran quickly away
| followed the little girl, and saw her &c
back to a narrow, damp street. into q small
dark room. saw her mother-her sad, faded
mother but with face so patient-hushIn9
and soothig a sick baby. And the baby SLEPT
and the mother laid it on her lap; and the
bundle was unrolled, and a dim candle helped
her with her work for though it was moi
night vet her room was very dark. lhel
after while. she kissed the little girl, anc
warmed her poor frozen feet over the scanty
fire in the CRATE and gave her little piece Of
bread. for she had no more; and then heard
her say her evening prayer, and, fold
ing her tenderIy to her bosom, blessed nel
and told her that the angels would take care
of her. And the little child slept, anC
dreamed-oh snch pleasant dreams %
warm stsckings and new shoes; but the
mother sewed on alone and as the bright
spangles glittercd on the satin slippers, came
there no repining into the heart? When sht
thought of her child's bare cold feet, and the
saanfv morsel of bread which had not satisfied
her hunger came there no visions Of brigh
room and gorgeous clothing and a table load
ed with all that was good and nice, LITTLE
potion of which spared to her would senl
warmth and comfort to her humble dwell
ing?
If such thoughts came, and others Of q
pleasant cottage and Of one who dearly lovec
her aud whose strong arm had kept wan
and trouble from her and her babes, but WhC
could never come back-if these thoughts dl(
come repiningly, there also came another; ant
the widows hands were clasped and her heaC
bowed in deep contrition, as heard her say
.Fatber forgive me for thou doest all things
well. and | will trust in Thee" just thei
the door opened softly, and some one entered
Was it an angel? Her hands were OF spotlesS
white and she moved with nolseless step
! She went to the bed where the child lay, anG
covered it with warm blankets. Then pres
emily a fire sparkled and blazed there, sucl
as the little CRATE had never known before
Then huge loaf was placed upon the table
and fresh milk for the sick babe. Then She
passed gently before the mother, and drawing
the unfinished slipper from her hand, placed
there purse of gold, and said, In &
voice ike music ''Blcss thy God, who IS the
God of the fatherless and the widow" ant
she was gone-only as she went out heard
her say Sbetter than diamonds, better thar
diamonds" What could she mean? looked
at the mother. With clasped hands ant
streaming eyes she blessed her God who had
sent an angel to comfort her. So ! went too
iand l went to bright room, where there
was music, and sweet flowers; and
saw young happy faces and sparkling jewels
but none that knew, until one passed mi
whose dress was of simple white. with only {
rosebud on her bosom, and whose voice wa
like silver lutte. No spangled slipper wa
on her foot but she moved as one that tread
eth upon air and the divine beauty OF holi
ness had 50 glorifed her face that felt, as
gazed upon her, that she was indeed an ange
Of God. .....