Weekly Calaveras chronicle., 1868-01-18

| ly, pausing an instant before each
bakers door, and looking anxiously
within. BY and by she found one that
seemed empty.
A whole pile of steaming loaves lay
upon the counter.
She rushed in and seized one, and
hiding it under her cloak, fled madly
up the street. But the baker had seen
her from the little sitting-room, and was
after her crying Justify, Stop thief,
stop thief 7 A crowd followed her, and
the poor child was soon run down,
"A clear case, said the police officer,
who took her. SHE must go to the
court room.' In vain she pleaded with
them and told her story.
They must do their duty, she might
have begged, she might have gone to
the soup house there was no excuse
for stealing at any rate.
No excuse, and her mother was dying
for food.
An important trial was just closing,
and all the avenues to the court louise
were thronged.
They'll be through soon,' said the
officer to the baker well wait here a
few minutes
Take me home first said she sadly :;
they will worry about me so. My
poor mother will die if she thinks am
lost
They'll soon find out where you arc,'
said he gruhy Bad news is like
lightning, it travels so'fast
'Oh, dear, oh dear! What will be-
come of them p and she sobbed aloud.
A little girl about her age was pass
irg by-a rich mans child-you would
know it by the embroidered dress and
cloak, the rich velvet hood, and the
costly fur tippet and muff. But there
was no false pride hidden under the ex-
peusive garments, a warm heart was
beating there, and its sympathies went
out far towards the poor litsle prisoner.
For moment she paused, as if irreso-
lutte upon her plan of action then lay
ing her hand gently on the officers arm,
She said politely:
MAY speak with her p
'Oh yes, she is not committed yet
Putting her soft rosy cheek close to
the purple cold one, she whispered very
earnestly. Maria told her touching
story, and begged she would, by the
love she bore her mother, find out her
humble home, and comfort the distress
ed ones.
Il will, will the stranger replied,
earnestly and don't you cry any more !;
my father knows the Judge, and he'll
get you away tomorrow. Good-by-
keep up good heart, and off she ran.
She knew her mother to be one of
the most charitable of women, and
hastened home to tell her story of
Maria but unfortunately she had just
gone to ride, and would not be back till
near dinner time.
what can I do?' she cried, and
wrung her hands.
They want coal, and bread and tea,
and so many things, and I have only
ten cents in my pocket
She sat down On the marble steps and
pon dered. All at once her eyes bright
ened and beautiful color flashed in her
face.
I'll do it, she said resolutcly :;
mamma will forgive, when she knows
all Without fire, without food, nearly
naked, starving. Oh, she will be glad
that l thought so far and she bound
ed down the street, and rushed around
the corner.
Pushing open the plate glass door of
the most fashionable hair dresser in the
city, she went quickly up to the attend
ant and asked to see Monsieur B. He
ushered her into an inner room, saying
he would call him.
Her heart futtered while she waited,
but her resolution did not fail her.
'Ah it is my little Theresa and
Monsieur B. took her hand kindly
Good morning, dear. Come to have
your ringlets dressed for the ball to-
night no 2 as she shook her head,
why not you 60 certainly; you are
one Of Monsieur's best pupils. What
is it then, my dear p
For a moment her lips quivered
then she spoke up quickly.
you said once, sir, you would give
me an eagle for my curls. Will you
do it now-to-day-this minute 2
The hair dresser was astonished.
What could the child mean? To cut off
those curls,. long, silken, and golden
colored, the pu' gold of stray sun
beam to sell them was surely crime.
Does she, your mother, does she
know you came here p
mo sir; but she will not blame me,
when I tell her how it was. Oh, no.
she is too good
'Aud how is it, my dear? Make a
friend Of me, and tell me how it comes
you ask me to buy your harp and he
stroked the glossy curls as tenderly as
father might.
She hesitated, aud then opened her
heart to him. There was mist in his
eyes when she finished her plaintive
story. He walked the floor as if irres-
olute; then stopping before her, he
took out his pocket book, and handed
her two half eagles. She put them in
her purse, and took off her hood.
Not now, my little angel !! be said,
huskily; mot now, l am too busy; to-
morrow will do as well; or, stay, l will
come in this evening Till then do
not mention it to any one. Go, now