The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1872-12-21

Hannah Griersou, followed by her won.
dering companion, entered the little shop
% full Of sad memories for her. The
children were clustered In the store, happy
70 the possession Of q few cheap toys, but
Hannah could read care, perplexity and
Sorrow In the widows pale, pensiye face.
Such u customer had never visited her
before. Gradually q relieved, happy
look came To her face as dozens of but.
tons, yards OF trimming, edglng, cotton
laces, crochet work, were added 10 Han.
nah's pile Of purchases. Never did a
single woman want 90 many hooks and
eyes, needles, spoOls Of cotton, and shoe.
strings. Actually the big bank note
that would pay the rent, and buy so
many, many provisions, with a margin
Tor clothing, called for no change as Il
came over the counter. Some emotion In
HAnnAh's face answered the German wild.
ow's broken thanks, for she said, gently:-
"You have known sorrow, too!''
u kept this shop for two years. NY
mother died IN the inner room,h and hay.
ing 30 spoken, Hannah was glad to gather
up her purchase to hide her tears,
A tiny candy store was next visited,
and another glad heart left there. From
store to store, always selecting the small.
est and meanest, the ladies passed, Ella
having begged to share the pleasure, and
buying all the most unsaleable goods she
could discover. Such q minglipg OF
goods never was piled on the floor and
seats Of q carriage before. The last store
visited was In small street, where only
dwelling houses could be seen, and in the
parlor window Of one a few fancy articles
were displayed, and beautiful basket Of
wax.truit.
A young lady was in the improviscd
store, and 1t was beautiful 10 see how her
face lighted as Hannah lavtshed praises
on the exquisite fancy work. After lib
eral purchases, including the basket, Han.
nah asked, guided by some delicate intui.
ton -
"Could leave an order for q compan.
ion basket Of 1owersI Don't you think
they would look well on the sitting room
brackets, EllaH"
Lovely was the reply.
sMy sister made these, and she makes
exquisite flowers" said the young store
keeper. "She has spinal complaint that
keeps her prisoner in her chair, and it is
work that Is not very saleable." Then,
encouraged by Hannah'a look of SYM
patty, she said, ave have only
triedt the store little while. Father
left Us this house, and we hope to make
enough to have store front put in, and
try 70 have better business place; but
our ready money was SO very scant that
we were obliged to start with only the
parlor window Tor show case, and the
work Of our own fingers for q stock in
trade"
u will try to procure you some orders
Tor the wax.work," said Hannah, kindly.
"This basket will pay for at once, but
will send for the two whenever you can
have the companion ready. In the mean.
time It may attract some other customers
here. Come, Ella, take the bundle Of
socks, scarls, and pretty work to the car.
rage. We will just about get home for
dinner"
A place being made in the crowded
carriage for the last purchase, Hannah, a
Veritable Santa Claus, drove next TO
modest but large dwelling, where a home
for friendless children has recently been
opened. The matron gave the visitors
cordial welcome, aud willingly allowed
the favor requested, which was permits
sion TO distribute toys, candies, and CLOTH
ing to tho little ones under her care, and
laughingly guaranteed to find use for
every article In the miscellaneous collec-
ton that was not suited TO such distribu.
ton.
"You can't give me more buttons and
trimmings than can use, ladies, and the
more varied your gifts tho more certain
am that they will be most acceptable"
The children's thanks were eloQuently
expressed in their happy, grateful faces.
Surely dolls were never Rugged more low.
ingly, tops spun more n0iSily, tea sets
spread out more daintIly, and pictures dis.
played with more admlring comments,
than In that house on the Christmas after.
noon Of which we write.
"Have you had pleasant day, Ella ?"
inquired Hannah, as they sat over late
dinner.
ut has been the happiest day l ever
passed. Did you watch the faces, Han
nah2 Thought the little French wO-
man In the dry goods store was going TO
ery.when you bought the hideOus tidy"
"Itis mistake that Is so easily made 10
spend days Of precious time on one elabo.
rate article that will not sell after It Is
completed. / think, Ella that 1t would be
a true deed Of Christian charity if our
wealthy ladies would deal more in the
humble stores, where dollars are made for
daily bread, and less In the great palaces,
where thousands swell the prtncely in:
comes Of the proprietors."
"But for nice goods you must deal in
such places"
avery true. Yet there are so many
kinds Of goods that arc TO DO had, Just as
good in quality, where the stock is small
and the three or five cents Of profit repre-
sents loaf Of bread or cup Of milk"
Gentle charities flow from Hannah
Grierson's hand, words Of sympathy and
encouragement from her lips, wherever
sorrow or want come to her knowledge;
but many Of her now large circle Of fash
ionSble friends shrug their shoulders with
words OF surprise at her oddity when her
handsome carriage passes through the
wide streets, away from the palace empO-
RUINS, to carry her gentle lace and full
purse to gladden. the eyes Of the humble
poor struggling for bread in the little
shops.