Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1870-03-03
From the Evangelical Magazine
THE LOST BRACELET.
"It Is More Blessed to Give than
Receive"

oust ouc penny, you please
ma'am."
1t was the day before the end of the
year, and late in the afternoon, bea u.
tiful and richly dressed lady was walk.
ing up the street, with her arms laden
with parcels. Hundreds of people
were hurrying along, jOstling each 9TH
er as they passed up and down the
crowded thoroughfare; but her bright,
happy face was like ray of sunlight
in the gathering darkness of the winter
afternoon, and the owner of the clat-
tering shoes that had been following
her some distance took courage from
its sweet expression, and put up its
modest plea for "just one penny"
1t was low, pleading voice, scarce
ly audible in the noise and the hustle
around; yet the lady heard it, for she
turned and looked an instant at the llt-
tie creature before her. Her scanty
garments were poor protection from
the frosty air, and her gloveless hands
and pale face looked blue and pinched
with the cold; her miserable hood had
fallen on her shoulders, and a pair of
eloquent eyes looked up into the lady's
face, while, with her little stumpy
broom, she swept the crossing.
"Never mind" said she to herself, 81
can walk home; this poor little thing
needs this more than do" and she
dropped into the open palm before her
the only sixpence left. "There, child,
happy New Year to you," she said,
in sweet, sympathizing voice.. which
made the tears come into the dark eyes
of the little girl as she tried to thank
her.
1t was long walk that the lady had
before her, and the omnibusses ratified
aloug with provoking empty seat or
two inside; but her heart was light and
happy with the little sacrifice which
she had made and Just as the jets of
gas began to blaze out of the windows
she reached her home. She had been
married only short time, and as she
looked around her pretty rooms, she
felt more than ever grateful that God
had given her such happy home
She had not removed her hat and
cloak, when she heard her husbands
step in the hall. and with a smile and
kiss, she met him at the door.
"Why, Kate, how tired you look;
have you done great deal of walking
to-day?"
Kate blushed and smiled, but decep-
ton was not part of her nature, and
she replied--"Yes, Henry, 1 walked all
the way home
"You shouldn't have done that"
said he. a little reproschfully; and
then he laughed as he continued
''Did you spend all your money, so that
you couldn't afford si1pence to ride
home with?'
"Well, l suppose 1 must tell," said
Kate, with another blush. 81 did
have just one si1pence left, and was 60
ing to ride, when such poor little
girl"
"Yes, that's it; I know what's COM
ing. Why, Kate, you make the very
mischief among the poor people and
my pennies; they are the most un-
grateful set in the world"
"But," said Kate, earnestly, "she
was such delicate, half-clothed and,
am afraid, half-starved little street.
"Street-sweeper!" and her husband
held up both his hands in mock hor-
ror. "Why, Kate, they pick up hand
fuls of money in a day; and did you
walk home, and give one a whole SIX
pence? Oh, oh! what won't your in
locent little heart do neXt?"
Kate was about to reply, when, on
passing her hand up her arm, she ex-
claimed suddenly, "Oh, Henry, my
bracelet is gone-your gift last New
Years day-what shall I do? where
could / have lost it?"
"That is too bad" said he, thought
'ully; but the next moment be contin-
ned, struggling up his shoulders mis-
,hievously. "Maybe some honest per-
'on has picked it up. Never mind,
,hough, I can replace it some time"
Her husband took her hand and put
something in it, closing the slender
ingers tightly over it, saying. "Don't
distress yourself any more about brace
cts and street sweepers; here's your
new years gift, and the next time you
20 to town get a pretty dress with it."
Kate's hand had closed over a note.
The day after New Years day she
was again in the city; and as she was
passing BY the identical spot whsre she