Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1874-07-21
mistellanp.
RESSIE
"rIsase, sir. give me q penny"


And the old farmer showed his hands
deeper down into his capacious great coat
pockets, and hurried along down the
snowy street.
He had not gone far however. before he
made pause, hurriedly unbuttonod the
shaggy. warm coat that enveloped him,
and hauled out with much effort large.
well filled wallet. took out piece of
money. yulgarly called shin plaster, and
hu rried back and gave it to the poor
pinched little creature who had accoSted
him.
There, there. little gal, take that and
go home out OF this storm, if you have
got one to 60 to. which aiu't likely.
wish l could 10 more for YOU, but Lord
l can't feed and take care of all the poor
children in New York City" And kind
hearted Farmer Goodwin hustled away
down the street again to attend TO the
business which had brought him to the
city.
The day wore away, and Mr. Goodwin,
having attended to all his business mat.
tiers. was Just making his way to the cars
through the twilight and the binding
snow, when he almost fell over small
figure lying against doorstep, and cry
ing as though its heart was broken. The
good man could never pass by such 4
scene as this without trying to fix up
things some way, 50 now he stopped and
bent over the snow-coyered form:
Whats the matter now, youngster ?
Can Go anything for you p
No answer came from the bundle Of
rags, only q redoubling OF the passionate
so5s.
Come, come" said the old man kindly
Don't be there in the snow, and freezing
to death. Can't yol get up?" and he
reached down and with his rough. red
hand and lifted the poor child upon it.
feet as tenderly as mother might lit q
baby on her lap.
"Oh Inever. never viii 90 back there
again :" sobbed the child. cliuehing her
hands until the veins stood in lunches
upon them.
go back where. little one ?" inquired
the farmer.
Back there. 70 that old woman who
beats and siarves me-" replied the child.
through her tears.
why its the beggar gave The money
10 this morning, said the old man. as he
Recognized the pale face of the ragged
hsts creature before him. Just then the
whistle sounded in the depot near by. and
as no time was 10 be lost if he would take
tAs train. he turned once more to the
beggar girl:
Don't she treat you kindly, little one p
he asked.
"No; and never will 90 back
"What will you do ?"
Il don't know. and don't care. III
go and freeze myself to death"
"Why why :" said the old farmer,
much shocked By the fiery spirit dis,
played, you mustn't talk like that How
would you like to 90 home with me ?"
"Oh, sir please. sir do take NE. I'll
work till am dead for you if you'll let
me go" and her tears dried as if by
magic, and she cluug to the old man
hand in her childish eagerness TO 20 with
him.
"Iave YOU no father OF mother 2" asked
Mr. Goodwin.
NO. sir; no one to miss or care if l
am gone. bat Old Granny Mag. and she
said she wished was dead lots OF times
Please, sir. take me with you?@ and her
big brown eyes looked up imploringly a,
him.
well, come along, then, and we must
hurry up, too, or we shall be lett" and
50 Mr.. John Goodwin took the beggar
child under his protection.
The next morning bright and early the
train ratified into the station Of D,
where the modest. snug little house he
called home was located. In ten minutes
more they were home seated at pleas
ant breakfast table and ealing as, only
tired, hungry travellers can eat. especially
when that food is sweet and good and
wholesome. the cloth as white as snow,
: and the silver shining and polished to the
last degree of brightness.
Mercy me John. where did you get
that bundle OF rags from ?" had been Aunt
Marey's salutaiion TO Farmer Goodwin
when he walked in with the child thai
morning.
There, there, wife, don't laugh at me
IcOuldnt help it. The poor little thing
looked so pitilul, and begged so hard to
be brought away"
Brought away from where?7
"Why, losnd her crying in the street.
in the snow, last night. in New York"
You would bring the whole of New
York home. wouldn't you if they should
ask you to. never saw such n man
cant say no to anybody" But, though,
Aunt Marcy grumbled so fiercely. yet she
vas already at work smoothing down the
rumpled hair Of the child, and washing
her grimy face.