South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1874-01-09

wv w ooois was utiBnt anu ner neart was
full of sunshine. They started for the Wis.
it, aud after long walk, reached an alley
known as Mire Lane they found No. 10,
forlorn looking house. They started up the
stairs, for some one told them Mrs. JONES
lived on the top floor; up and up they went,
past many ragged children, who mutely
stared at them.
Mrs. HASTINGS knock was answered by
very faint Come in They entered, there
sat the widow, sad looking woman with q
little boy Upon her knee.
Mrs. HASTINGS introduced herself pleas
antly to the poor woman, saying, MY
daughter became much interested the other
day in a child that lives bore, aud she has
brought me to see her.
20, it's my FANNY said the woman, 10
surprise, aud added, as she looked at MAY,
you must be the little lady che told rue a.
bout, she will be here in a moment my
WILLIE is sick, and dom, know what to
do. indeed don't, it's so hard to be so poor
and SICK went on the poor woman, without
waiting for a reply
but here comes FANNY
just then anoise was heard on the stairs,
aud in walked, bringing pail of water, the
little girl, whom MAY immediately recog-
n'zed. Suddenly FANNY stopped as she
saw the strangers, put dowD her pail, put
both hands behind her, and looked, first at
Mrs. HASTINGS, and then, as she turned to
MAY, her half frightened expression chang
ed to real beam of joy, sas she exclaimed
~, mamma, isn't it fuunyY'
MAY was quite overcome by this time
MI H.
what 1t was; in the first place, she had rev
er been in such a miserable house before,
and then, too, she felt strangely because
they seemed to think she had done some
thing for them, aud she knew she had not,
and she did not know what to say or do,
but MAY was never long at a loss for words,
aud as she looked at FANNY's inquiriug
face, she said, Yes, mamma brought me to
see you, and I'm glad she did, too, aud
wish L could help you have plenty of good
things, and big house, and everything
Il don't want all that answered the
child, 'but we do need lots of things, and
don't know what, most. used TO sell
flowers every day, but they cost so much
in cold weather, aud all the money had to
be spent for papa when he was sick
While the children we're talking, Mrs.
HASTINGS was very tenderly drawing out
the widows sad story, and she soon learned
that here was real object of charity. They
soon left, promising to come again before
long.
MAY was very thoughtful, all the way
home. Let US see what she was thinking
about the truth was, she was sorry she
had been selfish, and she was very earnest
y making up her mind, 90 as to be sure
not TO change it again, but she was little
ashamed to tell her mother at once.
Mrs. HASTINGS did not say much on the
way, but when she did speak, it was about
something they had passed, and not the
place they had left behind. When they
reached home, NAY ran TO her room, and
sat down. After few moments thought
she asked God to keep her from wanting a
Christmas present, and to help her want
to give something TO FANNY JONES. She
then went to her mothers room, and said /,
Mamma, you needn't wait any longer for
me to decide, have given up my present;
can have my money to-day, and let US
go and buy things 2
If you really wish it, May said Mrs.
HASTINGS, Il will 60 with you, but be very
sure before we start
'Yes, said May, 4 sm, and have ask ed
God to help me-
The purchases we're all made that after
noon, aud with some things Mrs. HAST
INGs bad in tho house, were prepared for
the poor woman. It seemed as if Christ
mas never would come this year, MAY was
in such hurry for it; but at last the event
full morning arrived, and happy little girl
was she, as she rose, not as usual, 10 exam.
inc well filed stocking, bat to 90 with her
mother, right after breakfast, to Mrs.JoNEs
They were soon mounting the rickety stairs.
laden with packages. Mrs. JONES surpris-
ed looks, and little FANNY's radiant face.
as they entered, more than repaid May for
all she had done even tho little sick Will.
LIE called out, %, mamma, look at the Ia.
lies sgain.
As package after package was opened
Mrs. JONES was so overcome, that bursting
into tears, she exolsimed, 'how can I ever
thank you enough for all you have done for
usY
FANNY literally danced for ioy. Mrs
HASTINGS inquired more fully than she had
done before, into Mrs. JosEs' circumstan-
ces- IL was sad story they bsd been
happy and comfortable until the fathers
long illness and death had brought to Thorn
the greatest poverty and misery. Mrs.
JONES was a good sesms,ress, and through
Mrs. HASTINGS influence she was soon es-
tAblished With plenty Of work and FANNY's
and WILLIE's lives we're again bright and
happy.
As for MAY, happier child was not
found on that Christmas Day she had 80
many good wishes Tor everybody, aud made