Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1868-05-01

speak when she had reached the bak-
er's shop. .aa
1.-Two loaves, sir-large ones too,"
she gasped, and threw down one of
the gold pieces. .aHe.a.- 9al
The man stared at her curiously.
The color rose to her brow but she
said nothing and hurried away with
her warm, fragrant bundle. r+
"Is that Marie? What kept YOU
so long daughter? Quick, break me
a crumb, | am faint - fa#t
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
the ripples Of sunshine. .a
Maria cannot come home vet" she
said in a voice that was like robins
in May time "But she will return
She has Sent me with the bread. See
the two nice loaves I've brought" and
she broke it in fragments.
Tears coursed down her face as she
saw how eagerly they clutched them.
She had never dreamed of poverty
like this never knew how hungry
folks may be and live.
a must 90 now,' she said, opening
the door; put | will come again soon
and make you comfortable, and she
hurried to the nearest grocer and
bought basket Of provisions, and en-
gagged him to send in some kindlings
and coal. The little boys helped her
build fire in the coal stove, and
when it blazed merrily, she put on the
kettle, and soon had refreshing cup
OF tea for each invalid, and platter
Of smoking potatoes for the children.
"Where is Marie, do you know, my
little angel ?" asked the sick mother,
as she gave back the cup.
30 yes, | know" she answered cheer
fully. Didn't | say she would be
home early to morrow? Don worry.
Better days are coming. III bring
her in the morning. Good bye"
1t was as though a fairy had come
and vanished; a kind hearted fairy
for beside the supply of coal and wood
a halt eagle lay in the sick fathers
hand.
Murmuring to himself all the ten
der adjectives in the French language,
the good hair dresser Immediately
hastened to the court room. The
Judge was a 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
He asked for private interview with
, the Judge. AS soon as it was granted
he told him all Marie's distress, and
the generous kindness of little Their.
, esa.
80 ~-..-... l,ov- u,4lld - sa4a his
listener, wiping his glasses. "Sht
7 must go to prison suppose, but il
shall be to chamber in my own house
Go into court and tell the same story
, it will be better than lawyers plea.
He did so, and there was not a dry
eye in the audience when he ceased
| Even the baker hung his head, anC
r seemed to muse. Before the breath
less silence had been broken he look
< ed up and said to the Judge: Il with
draw my complaint; let her 90 with
| me and take all she wants
The spacious room rang with ap
7 plause and, while the enthusiasm wa:
7 at its height,a thoughtful old man wenf
about the crowd with his hat People
S fingers found their pocket books as if
S by intuition, and, when he poured the
: collection in Marie'S apron she scream
ed for JOY No more hunger, no more
4; cold, no more nakedness that winter
S They were rich.
Y The baker took her home himself
/ and told her at the door not TO worry
e about the bread till spring, for his
/ wagon would leave them all they
q wanted every morning. How lightly
/ she bounded up the staircase. 1t wa,
e like birds football, a singing bird;
4 in the time of flowers.
: Have you come, Marie ?" Two vol
e ce8 spoke at once.
ayes, mother, yes, father, and We
: are rich, see! and she emptied hel
apron on the bed. How merrily th,
d silver and gold coin jingled. 1t wa
= like the echo of a harvest song, th,
e distant echo brought back by summe
0 breezes.
!, "BIess you, my little sunbeam, ,bles
u you, my angel" And two hands wer,
: laid upon her head and tears ant
smiles were strangly mixed together
X x
"What does it mean, Theresa q?
e and the mother looked wonderingl,
u at her beautiful little daughter, as sh
came into the parlor, in obedience t,
l. message brought by a servant
IL "Monsleur b. says you promised t,
l. see him tonight"
y "I did, mamma. Did you brin.
a your scissors, sir ?" And she carried
a footstool to the sofa, upon whicI
e1 she sat, and quickly nestled at hi
feet.
e "YcS, my dear, seeP' and he tool
b, from his pocket shining pair.
"Theresa, what means this ?" th
a mother spoke sternly.
IS q have sold my hair to him, mann
e ma, and he has come to cut it of"
y "Sold your haircut it off! Wer
you crazy? Are you in earnest
rt And she gathered her to her side, an,
IS laid her hand protectingly over tn
Y nrpclOuS c,lrIS ~