Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1874-02-23
A LITTLE GIRL WITH A DRUNKEN
FATHER.

entrance of an elegant mansion on Fiftl
Avenue, was little girl with a cold
half-frozen baby in her arms. I.adie!
in furs, men in mufflers, children of the
rich so well wrapped up in warm cloth
ing, fastened by tonight, never needing
the little hand held out by the poor girl
Why should they? 1t was a blue dirty
little hand. The hand of poor little
girl, from which warmth and beauty had
been squeezed by hunger and poverty.
The majority of those who passed were
rich. The night was cold. They were
Fastening home to warm suppers, parlors
beautifully furnished, and the welcome
there awaiting them. Why should
they pause to hear the prayer of the lit
tie petitioner sitting there freezing :?
Somehow the poor are always in the
way. They are not wanted on earth
When Christ called the poor little chill
dren to Him, He did that which would
now be considered a rebuke to those
whose church spires pierce the sunlight
but whose princely edifces of worship
would be contaminated, were their base
ments fitted up for the feeding. warming
and educating of the poor
For half an hour stood we close by
that silent beggar-child to see if her &C.
cupation was profitable. During that
time. while our supper in waiting at
home was growing cold, We waited and
watched to see the faces of those who
passed. Scores after scores of people
sped by. Men talked and laughed as
they hurried on. Women were careful
not to see the little one of their own sex
there in distress. Once in a while a
man or woman would drop penny into
the little blue hand, but the harvest of
pennies was not large, nor were those
who gave, judging from dress, those who
could best afford to.
One man, with little tin pail swing
ing from his hand, went whistling by.
Judging from the look of humanity in
his face We said to ourself as he was
crossing the street toward where the girl
sat
THAT man will give her a penny, !
surely" !
But he walked on without stopping.
We were almost provoked at him. His
face had told US that he would: his feet
had taken him by and he had not given.
Disappointed, We sent a thought after
hlm-a mental whisper; shave you not
forgotten to drop something into that
Door little blue hand 2"
Inc man actually stopped and looked
around We felt like a ship-wrecked
man on an island, whose signal for help
has been seen. He turned clear around. |
fumbled IN his pocket, retraced his steps. |
came back few yards to where the lit
tie girl was sitting, dropped two pennies
into her hand, as he said
Here, my little puss .''-then turned
again and walked on. A few quick
steps and We were by his side. !
beg pardon, sir; but why did you
turn around to give that little girl those
pennies ?"
why did [? Because L went by
without doing it at first
Did you not see her?''
"1es-I saw her; but was in such a
hurry to reach home to see my little pets
hat L did not really notice her: then,
Ill OF sudden something seemed to pull
ne around, so [ saw her little hand
Then thought of my own little girls,
Ind how glad l was they were not little
'eggars out in the cold. and I stepped
Jack to give her what pennies I had.
But why do you ask %
"Only to know why you turned around.
5od saw you do that. He was aookino
It you all the time. He will see that
very penny you gave that little freezing
hid will be returned to your little ones
thousand fold if not in cash. in sun
hlne' heartlOve and happiness. Good
hight"
The man said-"thank you. Good
night, and walked on.
Then we walked back to where sat
he little girl.
what Is your name, little one?"
Agnes Norton she replied.
"Where do you llve?"
'Oyer on Ninth Avepue''
nc WIN me and get warm"
PLEASE sir, dare not"
why ?"
Il must stay here to get all the pep-
les | can"
Come with me little way to the !
sstaurant there, and we will have some. | I
ing to eat-you shall get warm and
ave half dollar to take home with :
on beside"
y the power of money. 1t will en-. !
&c men In authority from the path of .
9ctltude and hush the fears of the moor !
II we trudged to the restaurant whore j
here the little girl ate stewed oysters
though they were more than Injuries +.
salvation from death. +.
chow old are you Agnes ?" :
Nine years old, almost, SIR {
Whose little child is that you have ?,' a
at Is my little brother, SIR h
EsHdv old - l. asy