The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1868-12-22

"a. and kept chuckling over II as ne
trudoed through the mud ihey o'o
,o. do we'll. somehow, for every Que
.oo,ea so full Of their own affairs they |
could not stop to listen, even 70 nsii"
Monica but hustled away to spend she''
money in turkeys toys, ana trees.
the afternoon, it began TO rain, ana pooi
Tessa's heart to fail her; for the pig
boots tired her feet, the cold w'nd naoe
her hands ache, and the rain spout the
fine red handkerchief. Even Iommo
Looked sober. and didn't whistle as he
w,aked. for he also was disappointed |
aud his plan looked rather douot'ui' Tue
pennies came il SO slowly
.We'u try one more street, and tnen
oo home thou art so tired, little one.
Come; let me wipe thy face ana give
me thy hand here in my jacket pocket
there it will be as warm as any hitIe"'
and kind Tommo brushed away the drops
which were not all rain from Iessa's
cheeks, tucked the poor hand into ms
ragged pocket, and led her care'u''y
along the slippery streets, Tor the Doo's
nearly tripped her up.
II.
/ At the frst house, cross Ola ee"'ie
m an tapped hi' newspaper at 'he'n' az
the second, young gentleman ana iaos
were so busy talking, that they never
turned their heads; and at the tairo' d
servant came out and told them to go
owav because some one was SICK Al
the fourth, some people let them sing ali
their songs, and gave nothing Aus
next three houses were empty; and the
last Of ali showed not single lace, as
they looked up anxiously 1t was so
cold. so dark and discouraglng. that
Tessa couldn't help one sob; ana as ne
Glanced down at the little red nose anu
wet FIGURE beside him, Tommo gave MS
harp an angry thutnp. and said some
thing very fierce in Italian. Ihey were
lust going to turn away; but they dldn
for that angry thump happened to ot
the best thing they could have done
Al Of q sudden. little head appeared
AZ tho window. as If the sound had bro
i. then another and another, till there
we're five, OF all heig lights and coiors, anf
five eager faces peeped out, smiling ah'
nodding to The two below.
Sing. Tcssa sing. Quick quick
cried Tommo, twanging away WITH 81
bis might, and showing his white tecth
, as he smiled back at the little gentle
folk.
= Bless US. How Tessa did tune up
], that! She chirped away like res
e bird. forgetting all about tue tears on ht
t chseks. the ache in her hands, and tn
. heaviness at her heart. The childre
e laughed, and clapred their hands, an
}, cried sMore! more! Sing another, lit
t girl! Ple.se, dol And away they wei
i again, piping and playing. till Iessa
8 breath was gone, and Tommo's sto'
8 fingers tingled we'll.
o Mamma says, come to the door; 1t
g too muddy to throw the money IN Il
7, street. cried out kindly chiid's voic
,. as Tessa held up the old cap with b
IS seeching eyes.
:, Up the wide stcne steps went u
t. street musicians, and the whole no.
% came running down to give handful
20 silver, and ask all sorts of question
r. Tessa felt so grateful, that, witho
'r waiting for Tommo, she sang her swe'
ID eat little song all alone. 1t was about
er lost lamb. and her heart was with t
E. song, therefore, she sang 1t weii,
$, we'll, that pretty young lady cal
I'd down to listen. and stood watching t
I'd brioht- eyed child, who looked about
er as she sang, evidently enjoying the lie
"a and warmth Of the fine hall, and
ly sieht o. the lovely children with th
gay dresses, shining hair, and dair
he little shoes.
or You have charming voice. chi
he Who taught you to sing?" asked
er young lady. kin'lly.
et NV mother She is deal now; bu
IS, do not forget answered Tessa, in
er pretty broken English.
r Il wish she conii sing at our tt
at since Bella is ill., cried one of the cl
in dren, peeping thro 'gh the banisters.
in She is not fair enough for the ans
ed and too large 10 go up in the tree.
rs; she sings sweetly, and locks as it
nd would like to see the tree,' said the 20,
is, lady.
er, .Oh. so much.' exclaimed Tessa;
Ter ding. eagerly: Nv sister Ranza is 81
lat and pretty "a baby angel. She co