Weekly Trinity journal., 1868-02-08
NUMBER 5.

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No excuse, and her mother was dying for foodi
| An important trial was just closing, and all
the avenues to the courthouse were thronged.
They'll be through soon,' said the ofhcer
to the baker; "we'll wait here a few minutes"
GO Take me home first" said she sadly "they
will worry about me My poor mother will
die if she thinks am lost'
! "Theyll soon find out where you are" said
he grufiy. /" Bad news is like lightning, 1t
travels so fast"
"Oh dear, oh dear F! What will become of
| them ?' and she sohbed aloud.
little girl about her age passing by-a
rich mans child-you would know it by the en-
brodered 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, a warm heart was beating there and
its sympathies went out far towards the poor lit
tie prisoner. For moment she paused, as if
rresolute upon her plan of action then laying
her hand gently on the officers arm, she said
politely:
q 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 earnestly. Maria
told her touching story, and begged she would,
by the love she bore her mother, find out her
humble home, and comfort the distressed ones
q 1 WILL WILL" the stranger replied, earn
esty ''and don't you cry any more my father
knows the Judge, and he'll get you away to-
morrow. Good-bye-keep up good heart,
and off she ran.
She knew her mother to be of the most
charitable of women, and FASTENED home to tell
her story of Maria but unfortunately she had
lust gone to ride, and would not be back till near
dinner time
"What can do?" she CRIED and wrung her
hands. They want COAL and bread and tea,
and so many things, and have only ten cents
in my pocket"
She sat down on the marble steps and pom
her hriphtpneQ and
beautiful color flashed in her face.
"I'l do it," she said resolutely " mamma
will forgive, when she knows all. Without fire,
without food, nearly naked starving. Oh, she
will be glad that thought far" 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. He ushered her into an inner
room, saying he would call him.
Her heart futtered while she waited but her
resolution did not fail her.
'tAh it is my little Theresa" and Monsieur
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 "w why
not you go certainly you one of Monsieurs
best pupils. What is it then my dear?"
For moment her lips quivered 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 har-dresser 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 your mother known you came here?"
"No, sir ; but she will not blame me, when l
tell her how it Oh, no she is too good"
"And how is it, my dear? Make friend of
me, and tell me how it comes you ask me to buy
your hair ?' and he stroked the glossy curls as
tenderly a father might.
She hestated, and then opened her heart to
him. There was mist in his eyes when she
finished her plantive story He walked the
floor if irresoute !; then stopping before her,
he took out his purse and handed her two half
eagles. She put them in her purse, and took Off
I her hood.
"Not, now, my little angel !'' he said, husk-
lily; 8 not now, am too busy; tomorrow 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 pave
ment She could hardly speak when she reach
ed the bakers shop.
"Two loaves sir-large ones, too" she gasp
ped, 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 hur-
ried away with her warm, fragrant bundle.
sis that you, Maria p? What kept you so long,
daughter? Quick, break me crumb,
faint"
Like an angel the little stranger looked to
them she glided in, her cheeks like apple
blossoms and her hair falling over her shoulders
like ripples of sunshine.
" Maria cannot come yet," she said in voice
that was robins in May time. " But she will
return tomorrow; perhaps this evening. She
has sent me with the bread. See the two nice
loaves I've brought" and she broke it up in frag-
ments
Tears coursed down her face as she saw now
eagerly they clutched them. She had never
dreamed of poverty like this; never known no"
hungry folks may be and live.
{" | must go now" she said, opening the coor'
"but will come again soon and make you COM
, Portable ;" and she hurried to the nearest grocer
and bought basketful of, provisions, ana toid
him to send in some kndlngs and coal
The little bows helped her build fire IN the
stove, and when it blazed merriiy, sne put on
the kettle and soon had reIresnlng up ol yea
6 for each invalid, and palIer VI summing po'a-
toes for the children -
uWbere is Maria, do you know, my little an
no, ~, asked the sick mother, as she handed back
the cup. .
90 didn't say she would be home early to-mor-
rov3 Don't worry. Better days are coming.
m nrnp her in the morning. Goodbye"
twas as though fairy had come and van.
isbed knd-hearted fairy, for beside the sup
ply of coal and wood, half-eagle lay in the
sick fathers hand.
Murmuring to himself all tie tender adiec.
tves in the French language, the good hair.
dresser Immediately FASTENED to the courtroom.
The judge was friend of his too. Maria had
been brought in, the court having adjourned for
half an hour. He asked for private interv;ey
with the judge. AS as it was granted ba
told him all Maria's distress, and the generous
kindness of little Theresa
" Poor child good child p said the listener
wiping his glasses :" She must go to prison, |
suppose but it shall be to chamber in NV o.
house. Go into court, and tell the same storv
over it will be better than lawyers plea.
, lie did so, and there was not dry eve in n.
CONCLUDED ON FOURTH pAaE)