The Shasta courier., 1868-01-25

| T
all the avenues to the court house were
thronged.
| They'll be through soon,' said the
othcer to the baker we'll wait here a few
minutes"
. Take me home first" said she sadly ;
IT they Will worry about me SO. My poor
mother will die if she thinks | am lost.n
They'll soon find out where you are"
said he grufly. Bad news is like light
ming, it travels so fast"
oh dear, oh dear What will become
of them ~ and she sobbed aloud
| A little girl about her age was passing 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 expensive garments, warm heart
was beating there, and, its sympathies went
out far towards the poor little prisoner
For moment she paused, as if irresolute
upon her plan of action; then laying her
hand gently on the officers arm, she said
politely
:" May speak with her ?"
"Oh yes she is not committed yet."
Putting her soft rosy cheek close to the
purple cold one. she whispered very earnest
ly. Maria told her touching story, and beg
ged she would, by the love she bore her
mother, find out her humble home, and COM
fort the distressed 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. -by-keep up a
| good heart" and off she ran.
She knew her mother to be one of the
most charitable of women, and FASTENED
| to ta;l bor Oc r..
tunately she had just gone to ride. and
would not be back till near dinner time.
What can do ?" she cried, and wrunc
her hands.
They want coal, and bread and tea, and
SO many things, and 1 have only ten cents in
my pocket"
She sat down on the marble steps and
pondered. All at once her eyes Frightened
and beautiful color flashed in her face.
III do it, she said resolutely +; % mamma
will forgive, when she knows ali Without
fire, without food, nearly naked, starving
Oh, she will be glad that | thought so fa- ,;
and she bounded 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 attendant and
asked to see Monsieur b. lie ushered her
into an inner room, saying he would call
him.
Her heart futtcred while she waited, but
her resolution did not fail her,
Ah it is my little Theresa" and Mon
sieur B. took her hand kindly. "Good
morning dear. Come to have your ringlets
dressed for the ball to night-no ~ as she
shook her head why not f? you 90 certain
ly; you are one of Monsieur's best pupils.
What is it then, my dear?"
For moment her lips quiz cred 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 ?'
The hair dresser was astonished. What
could the child mean? To cut off those
curls, long, silken and golden colored, the
pure gold of stray sunbeam to sell them
was surely crime.
/" Does she. your mother, does she know
you came here?"
81 No sir; but she will not blame me.
when tell her how it was. Oh, no, she is
too good"
" And how is it, my dear? Make a
friend of me, and tell me how it comes YOU
ask me to buy your hair ?" and be stroked
the glossy curls as tenderly as father
might.
She hesitated. and then opened her heart to
him. There was mist in his eyes when
she finished her plaintive story. He walked
the floor as ifirresolute then stopping before
her, he took out his pocket book, and hand
ed her two half eagles: She put them in her
purse. and took off her hood.
"Not now, my little angel y he said
huskily :" not now, I am too busy to NOR
row will do as well or, stay, | will come
in this evening. Till then do not mention it
to any one. Go now on your mission, my
sister of Charity" and he led her to the
door.
How quickly her little feet flew over the
pavement! She could hardly speak when
she reached the bakers shop.
1.-Two loaves, sir-large ones, too" she
gasped, and threw down one of the gold
pieces.
The man stared at her curiously. The
color rose to her brow, but she said nothing,
but hurried away with her warm, fragrant
bundle
Is that you, Maria? What kept you SO
long, daughter? Quick, break me crumb,
/ am faint"
Like an angel the little stranger looked to
them as she glided in, her cheeks like apple
blossoms and her hair falling over her
shoulders like ripples of sunshine.
Maria cannot come home yet," she
said in a voice that was robins in May
time. "But she will tomorrow perhaps
this evening. She has sent me with the
bread See the two nice loayes I've brought"
and she broke it up in fragments.
Tears coursed down her face as she saw
how eagerly they clutched them. She had
never dreamed of poverty like this; never
known how hungry folks may be and live.
IS l must go now" she said, opening the
door, but l will come again soon and
make You comfortable and she hurried to
the nearest grocer and bought basketful Of
provisions, and told him to send in some
kindlings and coal.
The little boys helped her build fire in
the stove, and when it blazed merrily, she
put on the kettle and soon had refreshing
cap OF tea for each invalid, and platter of
smoking potatoes for the children.
Where is Marie. do you know, my little
angel2' asked the sick mother as she handed
back the cup.
'0h, yes, | know" she answered cheer
fully. Didn't | say she would be home
early tomorrow Don't very. Better
. days are coming Eli bring her In the
! morning, Good-by."