Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1871-01-07
Intellect in Rags.

1t was bleak wintry day. Heavy snow
drifts lay piled up in the streets Of New York
and the whole appearance of the city was cold
and dismal
Seated upon the steps of one of the large
dwellings on Fifth Avenue, was boy sppa-
rently thirteen years Of age. He was literally
clothed in rags, and bis hands were blue, and
his teeth chattered with cold. Lying upon his
knees was a newspaper he had picked up in
one Of the streets, and he was trying to read
ths woyds upon'it lie had thus occupied
himself for some time, when two little girl,
clad in silks and furs, came toward him.
The eldest was about twelve years of age
and so beautiful that the poor boy raised his
eyes and fixed them upon her in undisguised
admiration
The child of wealth stopped before him and
turning to her companion exclaimed:
Marian, just ce this fellow OIL my steps
Boy what are you doing here?"
Il am trying to learn to read upon this little
strip of paper answered the boy.
The girl laughed derisively and said:
well, truly have heard Of intellect in
rags, and here it is pcrsonifed."
Mariams soft blue eyes filled with tears as
she replied
"Oh. Louise, don't talk so, you know that
Miss Fannie teaches US at school, "The rich
and the poor meet together and the Lord is
maker ofthem all. ."
Louise laughed again, and said to the boy
" Get up from here, you shall not sit on my
steps you are too ragged and dirty"
The boy arose and blush crimsoned bis
face. He was walking away, when Marian
said
Don't go little boy, you are SO cold, come
to my house and get warm. Oh do come, /"
she continued, as he hesitated and he followed
her into large kitchen, where a bright farm
fire was shedding its genial warmth around
Well, Miss Marian, and who are you
bringing here now 2" asked the servant wo-
man.
a poor boy who has almost perishcd you
will let him warm, will you not, Rachel"
"Oh, he shall be warm-sit here little boy, !"
aud she pushed chair in front Of the stove
and then gave him piece Of bread
and meat.
Marian watched these arrangements, and
then glided from the room; when she return
ed she had primer, with the first rudiments
of reading and spelling. Going to the boy,
she said:
Little boy, here is book that you can
learn to read from better than piece of paper.
Do you know your letters ~
Some of them, but not all. never had
anybody 10 teach me- | just learned myself:
but oh, want to read so badly"
Marian sat down beside him, and began
teaching him his letters. She was so busily
engaged in This work that she did not see her
mother enter the room, nor hear Rachel ex-
plain about the boy, nor did she know that
her mother stood some time behind them list
ening to her noble child teaching the beggar
boy bis letters.
There were but few that be had notalready
learned himself, and it was not long before
Marian had the satisfaction Of hearing him re-
peat the alphabet.
When he arose to 90 he thanked Rachel for
her kindness, and offered Marian her book
No, | don't want i'll have given it to
you to learn to read from. Won't you tell
me your name?"
Jimmie" he replied.
a will not forget you, Jimmie-you must
always remember Marian Hayes, won't you p
was the little girls farewell.
Louise Gardner and Marian Hayes were
plsymates and friends. Their dwellings joined,
and almost every hour Of the day they we're