Tama County Republican. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1867-1872, 1868-03-20

pavement one could hardiy speak when She
had reached the bakers shop.
1.-TWO loaves, sir-large ones, too, y she gasp
ed, and threw down one Of the gold pieces.
The man stared at her curiously. The colo,
rose to her 5row but she said nothing, and
hurried away with her warm fragrant bundle
'ls that you Marie? What kept you $,
long, daughter? Quick, break me crumb,
am faint"
Like and angel the little stranger looked t.
them IS she glided in, her checks like apple
blossoms, and her hair falling over her shoul
ders like rirples Of sunshine.
"Marie cannot come homo, yet, che said
in q voice that was as robins in May time
sBut she will return tomorrow perhaps thi
evering She has sent me with the bread
See the two nice loavesI've brought" and sh'
broke it in fragments.
Tears coursed down her face as she saw how
eagerly they clu,ched them She had neve,
dreamed of poverty like. this never known
how hungry folks may be lad live.
~ must 60 now" she said, opening the
door "but will come again soon and make
you comfortable, and she hurried TO the near
est grocer and bought basket Of provision ,
and engaged him 70 send ID some kind!ing.
and coal.
The little boys helped her build FIRE in the
coal stove. and when it blaizei merrily, she
put on the kettle, and soon had refreshing
cup Of tea for each invalid, and platter o.
smoking potatoes for the children.
"Where is Marie, do you know, my li,tl.
angel p asked the sick mother, as she CAV,
back the cup.
20 yes, Know" she answered cheerfully
"D;dn't | say she would be home early. to
morrow? Don't worry. Better days ar,
coming. III bring her in the morning. Good
bye"
| II was as though fairy had come and van
ished; k;nd>hearted fairy, for beside the
supply Of coal and wood, half eagle lay in
the sick fathers hand.
Murmuring 10 himself all the tender adiec>
tives in the French language, the good hair.
dresser FASTENED 10 the courtroom. The Judge
was friend Of his, too and he hoped TO save
the child from prison. She had not been
brought in, the court having adjourned for
half an hour. lie asked for . private inter
view with the judge. AS soon as it was gran.
ted, he told him all Maric's distress, and the
generous kindness Of little Theresa.
"Poor child! good child y said his listener
wiping his glasses. q "She must go to prison,
suppose, but ii shall be to chamber in my
own Eouse. Go into court, and tell the same
story over, it will be better than . lawyer.
plea
lie did so, and there was not dry eye iu
the audience when he ceased. Even the baker
hung his head, and seemed to muse. Before
The brea,hless silence had been broken, lie
looked up and said to the judge, Il Withdraw
my complaint; let her 60 with me aud take
all she wants."
The spacious room rang with applause, and
while the enthusiasm was at its height, o
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 Maries apron, she scream.
ed 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. How lightly
she bounded up the staircase. It was like a
birds football, singing birds in the time Of
flowers. +"
''IIave you come, Marie u Twovoices spoke
at once. M
"Yes, mother, yes, father, and We are rich,
seef' and she empticd her apron on the bed
How merrily the silver and gold coin jingl.
ed. II was like the echo of q harvest song,
the distant echo brought back BY summer
breexes. 81
"Bless you, my little sunbeam, bles. you
my angel" And two hands were laid upon
her head, and tears and smiles were strange.
y mixed !. 'sss'Afs' ~.i.ea~
- -
swhat does it mean, Theresa ?' And the
mother looked wonderingly at her beautiful
little daughter as she came into the parlor, in
obedience to a message brought by servant.
Monsieur 3. B.says yo,. promised to see him
tonight
Il did, mamma. Did you bring your els.
sors air ~ nd aha - rr;od !. eoct.too9 ~ ~
sofa, upon which she sat, and quickly nestled
at his feet. ,a,.sg. s. ...sisfa.. .ssi.
ayes, my dear, see 4" and he took from his
pocket shining pair. s iss
"Theress, what means this ~ the mother
spoke sternly. A le sg
II have sold my hair to him, mama, anc he
has come to cut it off," ta
sold your haircut it off We're yoa
crasyf Are you in earnest2' And she
gathered her to her side, and laid her hand
over the precious curls.
'sTell her how it was, sir. She won't be
angry, then. Please sir, tell her.".
He did %. And when it was finished, she
covered her face with kisses, and said, in
,roken voice, '.Of such is the kingdom Of
leavenp ...
A single ringlet Was severed from the beau
iful head that night-one long, soft golden
'url, which The hair-drssser carried home %
,eyerently q though il had come from an an
Iel's wing. On the morrow he hal It woven
INTO ahsarts-sase,, and the sunny, shining