The Shasta courier., 1868-01-25
1t was as though fairy had come had

1t was as though fairy had come had
and vanished; kind dhearted fairy, for
beside the supply of coal and wood, a half
eagle lay in the sick fathers hand.
Murmuring to himself all the tender ad
Jectives in the French language, the good
hairdresser Immediately FASTENED to the
courtroom. The Judge was friend of his
too. She had been brought in, the court
having adjourned for half an hour. lie
asked for private interview with the Judge
AS soon as 1t was granted, he told him all
Maria's distress, and the generous kindness
of little Theresa.
:" Poor childl good child p said the
listener, wiping his glasses. sShe must go
to prison, l suppose, but it shall be to Il
chamber in my own house. Go into court
and tell the same story over; it will be bet
ter than lawyers plea"
lie did so, and there was not dry eve in
the audience when he ceased Even the
baker hung his head and seemed to muse
Before the breathess silence had been broken
he looked up and said to the Judge, Il
withdraw my complaint; let her 90 with me
and take all she wants."
The spacious room rung with applause,
and while the enthusiasm was at its hight, a
thoughtful old man went about the crowd
with his hat. Peoples fingers found their
pocket books as if by intuition, and when he
poured the collection into Mara's apron, she
screamed with joy. No more hunger, no
more cold, no more nakedness that Winter
They were rich
The baker took her home himself, and
told her at the door not to worry about the
bread till Spring, for his wagon would
leave them all they wanted every morning.
InxU IIrrbf clNoh Ill L
1t was like birds football, singing birds
in time of flowers.
!" Have you come, Maria ?" two voices
spoke at once.
. Yes, mother, yes, father, and we are
rich-seel'' and she emptied her apron on
the bed. How merrily the silver and gold
coin jingled 1t was Ike the echo Of a har
vest song, the distant echo brought back by
Summer breezes.
" Bless you my little sunbeam, bless YOU
my angel" And two hands were laid upon
her head, and tears and smiles were strangely
mixed together.
$ What does it mean, Theresa?D and the
mother looked wopderingly at her beautiful
little daughter as she came into the parlor in
obedience to a message brought by servant.
" Monsieur B. says you promised to see
him to night"
6 did, mamma Did you bring YOUR
scissors, sir?" And she carried footstool
to the sofa, upon which he sat, and quietly
nestled to his feet.
g Yes, my dear, see p and be took from
his pocket shining pair.
" Theresa, what means ths?" the mother
spoke sternly.
81 have sold my hair to him, mamma.
and he has come to cut it off,
Sold your haircut it off Were vou
crazy? Are you in earnest ~ And She
gathered her to her side, and laid her hand
protectingly over the precious curls.
+" Tell her how it was, sir. She WON'T be
angry then. Please, sir, tell herr
lie did so. And when it was finished she
covered her face with kisses, and said in !.
broken voice:
. OF such is the kingdom of heaven.''
A single ringlet was severed from the
beautiful head that night--one long, soft.
golden curl, which the hair dresser carried
home as reverently as though it had come
from an angels wing. On the morrow he
had 1t woven into hearts ease, and the
sunny, shining human flower was ever after
wards worn next to his heart, talisman
against besetting sins.