The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1864-02-17
BETTER THAN DIAMONDS,

tcr's day. There had been rain; and al
though The sun had been shining brightly
yet the long icicIes hung from the caves q
the houses, and the wheels rumbled loud,
rs they passed over the ground. There
Tas clear, bright look, and a cold, brac
ing feeling in the air, and keen northwest
wind. which quickened every step.
just then little child came running
along-a poor, i'll clad child; her clothes
wero scant and threadbare she had nc
cloak and no shawl, and her little bare feet
looked red and suffering. She could not
have been more than cigh. years old. She
carried bundle in her hand. Poor little
shivering child d! l pitied her. As she
passed me her foot slipped, and she fell
with cry of pain but she held the bnn-
die tightly in her hand, and, jumping up,
although she limped sadly, endeavored to
run as before. 49,.
Stop little girl. stop!' said a sweet
voice and beautiful woman, wrapped in q
huge shawl and with furs around her, came
out of jewellers store close by. Poor
little child" she said, "are you hurt? Sit
down on this step and tell me-"
How loved her, and how beautiful she
looked
'Oh, | can not" said the little child, 81
can not wait--I am in such hurry.
have been to the shoemaker's and mother
must finish this work to night, or she will
never get any more shoes to bind"
Tonight ~ said the beautiful woman,
ITO night?" @-@ %-
yes" said the child, for the Strangers
kind manner had made her bold, yes, for
the great ball tonight; and these satin
slippers must be spangled and"
The beautiful woman took the bundle
Iom the child's hand and unroled it. You
do not know why her face flushed, and
then turned pale; but |, yes I, looked into
the bundle, and on the insid. of slipper
! saw name--a lady's name written, but
shall not tell it.
And where does your mother live, little
grl?'
So the Child 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 Tor her little brother And then /
saw that the lady's eyes were full Of tears :;
and she rolled up the bundle quickly, and
gave it back to the little girf; and, turning
away, went back into the store from which
she had just come out. AS she went away
saw the glitter Of diamond pin. Pre-
sently she came back, and, stepping into a
handsome carriage, rolled off. The little
girl looked after her moment, and then.
with her little bare feet colder than they
were before, ran quickly away.
followed the little girl to narrow
damp street, and into a small dark room !;
| there saw her mnther--her sad, faded
mother, but with face so sweet. so patient
flushing and soothing sick Laby. And
the baby slept, and the mother laid it on
her lap; and the bundle was unrolled, and
dim candle helped her with her work ::
for though it was not night, yet her room
was very dark. Then, after a while, she
kissed her little girl, and babe her warm
her poor frozen feet over the scanty fire in
the CRATE, and gave her a little piece of
bread, for she had no more; and then she
heard her say her evening prayer, and
folded her tenderly to her bosom, blessed
her, and told her that the angels would
take care of her.
And the little child slept and dreamed
oh !! such pleasant dreams-of warm stock.
ings and new shoes but the mother sewed
alone, and as the bright spangles glittered
on the satin slippers, came there no repin.
ing into the heart? When she thought OF
her child's bare, cold feet, and of the scant
morsel of dry bread, that had not satisfied
he: hunger, came there visions of a bright
room and gorgeous clothing, and table
loaded with all that was good, little Dor.
ton OF which spared to her would give
warmth and comfort to hcrhumble dwell.
ing?
If such thoughts came, and others, of a
pleasant cottage, and of one who had dear.
~ loved her, and whose strsng arm had
kept want and trouble from her ard her
babes, but who could never come back-il
these thoughts did come repiningly, there
also came another; and the widows's hands
were elapsed, and her head bowed low in
deep contrition, as heard her say, "Fath.
CT, forgive me, for thou doest all things
well, and will trust to Thea"
Just then the door opened softly. and
some one entered. Was it an angel? lie,
dress was spotless white, and she moved
with an noiseless step. She went to the
bed where the sleeping child lay, and GOV.
cred it with soft, warm blankets. Then
presently fire sparkled and blazed there
such as the little crate had n,ver known
before. Then huge loaf was placed upon
the table, and fresh milk for the sick babe
Then she passed gently before the moth
er, and, drawing the unfinished slipper
from her hand, placed there purse Of gold
and said, in voice, like music, BLESS Thy
God, who is the God Of the fatherless ant
he widow" and she was gone, only as
she went out heard her say, Better thar
diamonds-better than diamonds ~ Whom
could she mean? looked at the mother
With clasped hands and streaming eve,
she blessed her Gcd, who had ..nt an an
gel to comfort her.
SO went too; and went to brigh
room, where were MUSIC and dancing. ant
sweet flowers and saw the young. hap
Ply faces of those who were there, an,
beautiful dresses sparkling with Jewels
but none that knew, unt.l one passed m
whose dress was OF simple white, with on
~ a rosebud on her bosom, and who's
voice was like the sweet sound of a silye
lutte. No spangled slipper was on her fool
but she moved as one that trcadeth upo
the air, and the divine beauty of holmes
had SO glorified her face, that l felt, as
gazed upon her, that she was almost an ar
gel Of God. Is