Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1874-01-10
NORAH'S NEW YEAR.


1t was New Years Eve. The streets
were thronged with pedestrians, the
Jingle of the sleigh-bells was ever anon
heard, and all the world seemed to have
forgotten care, and taken holiday.
But not so. There were sad faces amid
the merry ones the poor and wretched
lostled against the gay and happy; and
this life pictute, like all others, had it's
dark background.
Looking in at the brilliantly
window of confectioner's stood little
girl, her face blue with cold and hunger,
her eyes wistful and pathetic. She had
on light calico dress, shoes that were
too large fer her, and a strange kind of
garment-half shawl, half cloak-so
worn and patched that one could not
tell its original shape or color. Her
age was not over nine or ten, yet she
seemed more like little old woman
than child. There was an air of wis
dom in the way she turned her head,
and wrinkled up her forehead, and
pressed her lips together as she gazed
at the confectioner's candies and cakes,
as if she thought them all very pretty,
but at the same time very unsubstan-
tial. Once or twice the child-nature
showed itself in her eyes, but was quick
ly followed by an expression of gravity
and sorrow, touching in one SO young.
Finally she turned away with sigh,
and at that instant the confectioner's
door opened, and a lady, richly dressed,
came out. Something in the child's
face or look attracted her attention.
She stopped, drew the shivering little
figure toward the light, and scanned it
curiously.
What is your name, dear? ?" she
asked, kindly.
"Norah," was the answer, given in
o low voice, and with look of wonder at
the questioner.
"Norah = echoed the lady, turning
pale. "Norah what?"
"Norah Brady, ma'am."
"Oh y and an expression, partly of
relief, partly of disappointment, swept
over the listeners face. Then she
slipped some money into the child's
hand, and whispered, "Spend it as you
please, dear 1t is New Years gift"
Norah's cheeks flushed, and she drew
back a little proudly"
"I cannot take it, maam," she an
swered, i'll even, steady tones. "Papa
would be angry if | did,"
Angry that you accept a gift? Why
sop
Because were poor, and when peo-
pie give us things, he says it's out of
charity"
But is that any reason for refusing
them %
Yes, for papa and l are independ-
ent, and had rather earn ourown money"
The little figure Strengthened itself with
an air of dignity-almost womanly.
" You are strange child" was the
reply, and the lady looked interested
and amused. "Tell me where YOU
livc."
The street and number were named,
and then Norah raised her honest blue
eyes, and said, softly, "Please don't
think me ungrateful, a'am. You are
very kind, indeed. Only that papa
has seen better days, and that it hurts
hlm so now to be poor, might perhaps
keep it. And she handed back the
money with a wistful little glance that
spoke volumes.
Have you mother, dear?" ques-
toned the other.
The blue eyes filled with tears. "No,
ma am, she answered, in quivering
voice. " Mamma died three wears
ago
Why was it that throb of pain stirred
the listeners heart at these words
what was Norah's mother to her? She
felt drawn toward the child, she hardly
knew why; drawn, too, toward the dead
mother, and the strange, proud father.
Norah's eyes, Norahs name. were like
those of a little sister she had loved and
lost-not by death-but by separation
that was almost worse. She had never
forgotten it, and tonight the memory
OF that olden time softened her heart.
and made her pitiful toward the griefs
of others. But all this while her car
riage stood waiting, with white
haired old gentleman inside and the
coachman impatiently stamping his
feet.
II must leave you," she whispered
to Norah at last, longing to clasn the
little figure to her breast. 81 shall
come and see you soon, NAV I not ?"
Then, seeing that the child hesitated to
reply, she added, care you afraid papa
will object? Tell him charity has moth
ing to do with it, but that it is for my
own sake, and because you remind me-
OF some one | loved years ago, that I
wish to come
Moran , was hospitable little soul,
anu anu Ine beautiful lady had completely
won ner leart. Papa will be glad to
|, too" "A"
Thank YOU, dear" Then. moved
1y sudden impulse, the lady stopped
down and kissed her. The coacb,non
looking ON, Rubbed his eyes, aud thought