The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1866-02-07

big blue eyes and sensitive mouth; a.
child who might have been beautiful, had
his lot been cast in life's sunshine, but
who was now pale and pinched, like a.
plant that has grown in the dark.
Mrs. Hardwieke sat by the window of
her cramped attic room; there was just
room enough for her to sit upright where
the ceiling sloped down to the dormerI
window; embroidering net work ofWhite
lilies on an infants sacque of blue merino.
She had been very beautiful once, she
was lovely even in the midst of her pow
erty and endurance.
mamma" resumed Willie, after a
moments silent watching Of the cold sun
shine that rippled over the floor at his
feet, "did you knew that to-day was
Thanksgiving Day ?"
"Yes, Willie
"And Mrs. Jones has got such beau
tiful big turkey in her oven. and great
mince pie Oh, mamma, / wish we had
a turkey-I get SO tired of bread and mo-
lasses p
Mrs. Hardwicke bent down to press
her lips to Willie's blue-veined fore
head.
"My poor little boyl''
II stood at the door and watched Mrs.
JoEes's turkey ever SO long, mamma-itf
looked SO nice in the big pan-until she
told me she couldn't have little boys
around, and to so off and stop staring
Mamma, when you get the money for that
sacque, can we have turkey very
little one, mamma? ?"
Hardly, Willie; the thirty cents must
buy bread and COAL"
Wouldn't yon like turkey, NAM
ma ?"
every much, Willie"
'How much would one cost2
81 don't know-two dollars, perhaps.
What is the use of asking such ques-
tons ?"
She spoke little impatiently, and
Willie sat silently looking at the floor a
few minutes and then got up and went
out, a great ambition stirring in his little
heart
II can sell the gold chain and cross
mamma gave me, and buy turkey" he
thought. II cried when she wanted me.
to sell it before, but I'm two months older
nowl"
Ard Willie marched down stairs hold
ing his head very high in the air, and
feeling painfully conscious of his ad-
vanced age" al
The stores are alshut; didn't think
of that, . pondered Willie, with pang
of disappointment, shrinking and shiy.
ering as the biting gusts swept down the
streets. "But could stand on the cor
ner and offer it, as Billy Jones does his
newspapers
But Willie found it not so easy to at
tract the attention of the busy throng
who eddied perpetually past his acor-
ner"
Please, sir, will you buy my
''Out of the way, boy p @
And the two gentlemen nearly over
turned Willie, as they rushed across the
street.
Lady, please to buy my chain-it's
only two dollars.
"Two dollars for a brass thing like
this it's jokin' you be-" calculated the
stout irish woman, with passing glance
of contempt; and she, too, went on her
way.
aSir, please
"Take care, little one! | came very
near running over you" :.
! Theron Jaycox lifted Willie up,and set
him good humoredly on his feet. f.
j "Are you all right now? What-cry-
ing? Did hurt you?" =.
i For the tears were making two little
i crystal channels down Willie's cheeks,
as he stood, skivering and trembling, on
the pavement.
"No, sir-not much; but--but I've
dropped my gold chain"
!, Dropped it? Where?'
And Theron Jaycox bent down tc
search for what he supposed to be some
little gildee toy.
j "Here it is-just ready to slip down
into the grating. Halo! it's real gold.
!, Yes, sir-it is,' said Willie, with re.
newed hope. Would you please to buy
lit?'
!, But Theron Jaycox was not paying at,
tention to the child's words. The hol
hushes were reddening across his cheeks
as he recognized the antique pattern o.
the twisted gold cross that hung, by
slender ring. from the chain,
! 1T cannot be the same, he murmured
half aloud, 'and yet I could have sworI
there were not two just alike in the world
| Where did you get this, little one ?"
Mamma gave it to me, when / wa
seven years DID, said Willie, watching tn,
} golden CLEAN Of the ornament, as it LAY
in Jaycox's hand. m
'And who is your mamna?'
sShe is Mrs. Hardy;cke, sir; and an
Willie Kearney Hardwicke.'
Jaycox bit his lips--he could almos
feel himself turn pale'' m 49,
why do you want to sell this chain
} Willie p
I'VE are sotired Of bread and molasses
r sir; and mamma has no money but .thirt,
cents; and wanted turkey for Thanks
{ giving so much /
And you shall have it, said Theron
closing his hand within his fur-line,
!, glove. Come, Willie, | am going hom,
9 with you
! Mamma never sees company sine,
papa died, said the boy, solemnly.
!. She'll see me, / think
] Theron Jaycox took Willie Hard
sicke up in his arms, and put him dow