Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1869-10-08
8stter than Dismonds.
.A....-..

SyA's'sNtfi3 - sSWttyy SyvesuSfiVuS lCtS
cles hung from the caves Of the houses, and
The wheels rumbled loudly as thoy passed
over the frozen ground. There was clear,
bright look, aud % cold, braciug sseling 10 the
mir, and a keen north wost wind, which quick
.cpea every step, Just then little child
soame running along poor, ill.clsd child |;
her clothes were soant and threadbare she
had no cloak aud no shawl; and her ltsle
bare feet looked red aud suffering. She
could not n S been mr. ..han eight years old.
She carried bundle in her hand. Poor, lit
tie, shivering child ], even ] who could do
nothing else, pitied her. As she passed me,
her foot slipped upon the ice, aud she fell.
with a CRY Of pain; but she held the bundle
tightly in her hand, and Jumping up, although
she limped sadly, endeavored to run as before
sS5top, little girl, stop" said q soft, sweet
voice and beautiful woman, wrapped in o
large shawl, and with furs around her, canlc
j out Of a jewellers store close BY. "Poor lit
tie ohild,1 said she, 'tare you hurts Sit
a down ON this step and tell me-" How I
loved her, and how beautiful she looked
"Ohl cannot" said the child. ~ cannot
wait--I an in such hurry. have been
to the shoemaker's and mother must finish
this work to- night or she will mover get any
moro work to bind"
,ssTo night ?" said the beautiful woman
ss.o night?"
i,sYes," said the child---for the strangers
kind manner had made her bold-"yes; for
the great ball tonight, and these satin slip.
pers must DO sprangled, and"
\ The beautiful woman took the bundle from
The child's hand, and unrolled it. You do
not know Why her face flushed, and then
turned pale; but I, yes looked into the
the bundle, and on the inside Of tho slipper I
saw a uame--a lady's name--written; but
II shall not tell it.
" "And where does your mother live, little
girl7"
So tho child told her where, and then she
told that her father was dead, and that her
little baby brother was siOk, and her mother
bound shoes, that they might have bread, but
that sometimes they were very hsngry, and
sometimes they were very cold; and that her
mother sometimes cried because she had no
money to buy milk for her little sick brother.
And then saw that the lady's eyes were full
of tears; and she rolled up the bundle quick.
.ly, and gave it back to the little girl-but she
gave her nothing else; no, not even one six
pence; and turning away, went back into tie
store from which she had just como out. AS
she went away, T saw the glitter Of diamond.
pin. Presently she came back, and stepping
into handsome carriage, rolled off. The
little girl looked after her for moment, and
then, with her little bare feet colder than
they were before, ran quickly away.
T went with the little girl and I saw her
90 to a narrow, damp street, and into small
dark room and saw her mother-her sad,
faded mother; but with face 30 sweet, so
patient, hushing and soothing sick baby.
And the babe slept; and the mother laid it
on her own lap, and the bundle was unrol-
led and dim candle helped her with her
work, for though it was not night, her room
was very dark. Then, after while she kis-
sed her little girl, and bade her warm he poor
little frozen feet over the scanty fre in the
CRATE, and gave her little piece Of bread, for
she had no more and then she heard her say
her evening prayer, and folding her teuderly
to her bosom, blessed her, and told her that
the angels would take care Of her. And tho
little child slept, and dreamed--O suoh plea
SAINT dreams l--of warm stockings and new
shoes; but tho mother sewed on alone. And
sss the bright spangEes glittered on the satin
slippers, came there no repining into her
heart When she thought of her little
$child's bare, cold feet, and Of the soant NOR
sci Of dry bread, which had not satisfied her
hunger, came thore no visions Of bright
i coon, and gorgeous clothing and table load.
/ ed with all that was good and nice, ono little
portion Of which, spared TO her, would send
warmth and comfort to her humble dwelling :
Ifsuch thoughts came and others--of plea.
sant cottage, and Of one who had dearly loved
her. and whose utrong arm had kept want
and trouble frohh her and the babes, but who
$could never come baok--if these thosghts did
come, repiningly, there came also another /;
aud the widows hands were clasped, and her
head bowed low in deep eontrition, 40 I heard
1 9hor say "Father, forgive me; for thou do.
ost al things we'll, aud / will yet trust thee" I"