Urbana union. [volume] (Urbana, Ohio) 1862-1872, 1870-11-09


told her story.
They must do their duty; she might
have begged, she might have gone tC
the soup house; there was no excuse fol
stealing, at any rate.
No excuse, and her mother was dying
for food!
An important trial was Just closing
and all the avenues to the court house
were thrOnged.
They'll be through soon,' said the Of
ficer to the baker; well wait here q few
minutes. No danger of her getting
away while my grip is on her. and
frightened his grip on the shrinking arm
till the flesh quivered with pain.
Take me home first said she sadly
they will worry about me so. My pOol
mother will die if she thinks am lost.
They'll soon find out where you are,
said he gruf1y. Bad news is like light.
ming, it travels so fast
fOh dear, oh dear! What will become
of them :? and she sObbed aloud.
A little girl about her age was passing
by-a rich mans child-yOu would know
it by tie embroidered dress cloak, the
rich velvet hood, and the costly fur tip
pet and muff. But there was no false
pride hidden under the expensive raj
ment; a warm heart was beating there,
and its sympathies went out far toward
the poor little prisoner. For moment
she paused, as if iTTesOlute upon her plan
of action; then lying her mittened hand
gently on the officers she said politely:
May I 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. Marie told her the touching
story, and begged she would, by the
love she bore her mother, find out her
humble home, and comfort the Distress
ed ones.
Twill, I WILL the stranger replied,
earnestly; 'and don't you cry any more;
father knows the judge, and he'll get
you away tomorrow. GOOd-bye-keep
up a good heart; , and off she ran.
She knew her mother to be one of the
most charitable of women, and hasten
ed home to tell her story Of Marie; but
unfortunately she had just gone to ride,
and would not be back till near dinner
time.
What can I 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
pOndered. All at once her eyes bright
ened, and a beautiful color flashed in
her face.
Il will do it, she said, resolutely;
mamma will forgive when she knows
all. Without fire, without food, nearly
naked, quite starved. Oh, she will be
glad thought so 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 quietly up to the attend
ant and asked to see Monsieur B. He
usheTed her into the inner room, saying
he would call him.
Her heart fiuttered while she waited,
but her resolution did not fail.
fAh! it's my little Theresa and Mon
sieur B. took her kindly. Good morn
ing, dear. Come to have your ringlets
dressed for the ball tonight mop and
she shook her head, why not ?-you go,
certainly; you are one of MOnsieur's 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 cuTls. Will you do
1
The hair dresser was astOnished, What
could the child mean? To cut off those
curls, long, silken and golden cOIored,
the pale gold of stray sunbeam; to sell
them was surely a crime.
Does she, your mother, does she know
you came here?
No, sir; but she will not blame me
when tell her how it was. Oh, no! she
is too gOOdp
And how is it, my dear? Make a
friend of me, and tell me how it comes
you ask me to buy your hair and he
strOked the glossy curls as tenderly as a
father might
She hesitated, then opened her heart
to him. There was mist in his eyes
when she finished her plaintive story
He walked the floor a moment, as if ir-
then stopping before her, he
took out his pocket-bOok, and handed
her two half eagles. She put them in
her purse, and took off her hood.
Not now, my little angel p he said
not now, I am too busy; to-
will do as well or, stay, 1 will
come in this evening. Till then, do not
mention it to any one. Go now ON your
my sister of charity and he
led her to the door.
How quickly her feet flew over the
She could hardly speak
when she had reached the bakers shop.
two loves, sir-large ones too she
gasped, and threw down one of the
gold pieces.
The man stared at her Curiously. The
color rose to her brow, but she said moth
ing, and hurried away with her warm,
fragrant bundle.
rs that you. Marie What kept you
so long, daughter? Quick, break me a
crumb, I am faint
Like and angel the little strange look
ed to them as she glided in, her cheeks
like apple blossoms, and her hair falling
over her shoulders like ripples of sun
shine.
Marie cannot come home YET she
said, in voice that was as q robins in
May time. But she will return to-mOr-
row; perhaps this evening. She has sent
me with the bread. See the two nice
.Oaves 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
5his; never known how hungry folks
may be and live.
4 must go now,' she said, opening the
lOOr; but 1 will come again soon and
make you comfortable, and she hurried
70 the nearest grocer and bought bas-
1et of provisions, and engaged him to
send in some kindings and coal.
The little boys helped her build fire
IN the coal stove, and when it blazed
nerrily, she put on the kettle, and soon
lad refreshing cup of tea for each in
valid, and q platter of smoking potato
IS for the children.
Where is Marie, do you know, my
little angel? asked the sick mother, as
she gave back the cup.
% yes, l know she answered cheer
ully. Didn't 1 say she would be home
Early tomorrow? Don't worry. Better
lays are coming. I'll bring her in the
Good-buy,'
1t was as though fairy had came and
vanished; q kind-hearted fairy, for, be-
tide the supply of coal and wood, half
eagle lay in the sick fathers hand,
MuTmUring to himself all the tender
ldjectives in the French language, the |
good hair-dresser Immediately hastened |
to the courtroom. The Judge was a |
riend of his, too, and he hoped to save
he child from prison. She had not been |
brought in, the court having adjourned |
or half an hour. He asked for a private |
interview with the judge. AS soon as
t was granted, he told of Marie's dis
ress, and the generous kindness of little
Theresa.
Poor child good chiIdp said his lis
ener, wiping his glasses. 'She must go
0 prison, suppose, but it shall be to a
chamber in my own house. Go into
ourt and tell the same story over, it
will be better than a lawyers plea
He did so, and there was not q dry
ye in the audience when he ceased.-
even the baker hung his head, and
eemed to muse. Before the breathless
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