The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1872-05-10
The Little Toothpick-Seller.

"Toothpicks, sir?'
"Buy a toothpiek-only five cents
! apiece, sir?'
And the poor, little shiverably-clad
mortal stood before a group of fashiona-
! bly, dressed-gentlemen in the lobby OF
one of our principal hotels, offering her
simple wares.
Wont you please buy a tOothpick ~
"Will you have One?'
And she patted her feet upon the
broad, white tiles, and stretched forth
one of her hard, cold, red hands, toward
/ the heater, while in the other was held
| the last three or four toothpicks of her
stock toward the group Of gentlemen
sitting, and chatting, and smoking; and
anxiously, earnestly wishing TO sell.
Without, the cold, piercing winds of
winter swept along Broadway, and
whirled round the corners, and piped
/ through the courts, and yards, and al
leys of the great city; while rattling
cabs, carriages, coupes, cars and omni-
buses along the hard-paved streets were
rumbling and rolling away in this sharp,
cold, frosty February night.
And the little half-frozen toothpick
merchant had silently glided in through
the large doors of the yestibule-in
I
of the cold, biting air of night, into the
warm and comfortable room, and was
busily offering to the gentlemen the
balance of her little stock i'm trade.
sir?v 'O'>'
"Will you have one, sir? Just five
cents"
Save a great tear that came tFiekling
down her ruddy check, and look Of
despair that too plainly indicated the
sorrowful feelings rendering in twain
the heart of the little peddler girl, there
was naught that gave answer TO her
piteous appeal, won't you please buy
toothpick ?"
And she shrank away to corner and
hiding her childish yet narrowed face in
the folds of her torn and ragged gown,
she wept bitterly, while crowds and
groups of fashiOnably attired beings
swept by, unmindfui of the little broken
hearted, weeping toothpick girl among
them.
"Shine yer boots, sir?r
"Shine 'em up; extra polish for
dime, sir?''
And Billy Maddox, the boot-black.
down from the Bowery, came sailing in
with his harness thrown over his shoul-
der, smiling and whistling, anxiously
seeking job.
At this a great, burly porter assumed
charge of Williams ear, and marched
him from the premises.
Evening papers! Tremendous ex-
citement in New Orleansr' "Papers,
sir. Fifth edition, Five o'clockri
And Tony Herring, from Chatham
street, was making his clear, sharp round
toned voice ring through the halls and
corridors of the hotel, Offering the last Of
I huge roll of papers lie had bought for
his evenings work.
"Thank We, sir,p said Tony, as he
DOcketed the price of the last paper he
lad; and with a light heart, smiling
and bright, sparkling eye,
ne turned to leave the premises for
home.
WHAT'S the matter, little one? What /
yer eryin' here for; poor luck? How /
many yer got left ?,i ~ - I rL -E /
anu Tony halted by the little girl as /
e si,e stood crying in the hallway, willie 1
breot1,o 1ooNe questions were asked in
a,onai! mGot four left, hey? Well. come
'''S,g' 0ng,' Me'I try and sell 'en.',
Out1 they went together arm, :,
tne eoid, Icy airof night INT ,,I,;tI,
OF "hefe The great God in hoo,.s",iii +" ~
can tel. Two little street nad,iIori ppliIy
I'D poverty, nursed in degradation DOT, api