South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1874-01-09
M avs riu M p b i.
BY COUSIN FLORENCE.

eo0o, saiu i'ie WAL HASTINGS, one cold
winter moroiog, as she was sitting by her
mother ; "it seems so queer that God gave
all the big people SO much to do for him,
while children do nothing, excepting to try
aud be good, and that's awful hard 20
81 don't know, May" said her mother,
81 think your place is a very big Que, if
you only try to ill it; you are our only
little girl, you bring great deal of bright.
ness into mamms's aud pspa's sad hearts,"
and Mrs. HASTINGS sighed as she though.
of the little boy buried q short time before.
| 1t was near Christmas, the time so merry
for good children and that afternoon, as
! May was looking from the window, she saw
poor child, in ragged clothes, going slow.
, ly along the street, aud seating herself on
the stoop. A bright thought struck May,
and running down to the front door, she
called, "Little girl, little girl, what's the
matter z"
90, miss, don't know" said the child.
coming up the steps, "but think it's most
every thing; father died last week, mothers
sick, and WILLIE isn't we'll yet. o dear,
| don't want to be q little girl any longer.
wish we could all go to Heaven with ia
Their and be angels, for tbey say its nice
MAY thought q moment, and then said,
"Well, I'm sorry for you, but l haven't
any money, and don't know what to do
[ can give you nice piece of bread and
butter; won't you tell me where you live P
Il don't believe you'd know is did,
said the poortchild, 'for no nice reople ev.
er come there
'Woll, just tell me-, MAY replied, 'for
though perhaps cant 60, perhaps | can, too.
Just then voice from up stairs shouted
Miss MAY, Miss MAY, you are catching
cold, come right in, and shut the door
MAY looked startled, and said, please
do tell me quick, and half closed the door.
'My name is FANNY JONES, and live
at No. 10, Mire Lime, aud that's ALL said
the child, and she turned, with a sad look,
aud descended the stoop, as q second call
came from the second story.
Shutting the door, MAY stood thought
fully moment, and then running TO her
little room, sat down, aud putting her head
on both her hands, thought long time for
such little girl, for MAY was but nine
years old.
She looked very pretty, es she sat there,
her golden curls falling around her fair
face, which, just now, wore rather per-
picked expression. Finally she jumped up
quickly, saying, Chats it, and started
down stairs; but suddenly turning, she
slowly retraced her steps, saying, Il don't
believe I can really give it up, its so hard,'
aud thor she sat down again, and as again
the child's sad face came before her, she
said, Il ,otH, and | mean it this time
Again rising, and this time going down
stairs, she said
Mamma, will you do something for
me; | want money Christmas present this
| year
"a what |! said Mrs. HASTINGS, looking
up, astonished.
Why said MAY, coIoring, l want in
stead of any present, except a little one, no,
| mean any present at all, [ want a piece
of money that would be just as much as my
dolls carriage and toys would cost, do you
understand, mammal
yes, dear, partly, but shall better,
when you tell me what you want it for
Well said MAY, just this want to
get something nice, for poor little girl
saw, that lives away down Mire Lane |
have made my mind right up, I thought
first | couldn't quite, but then thought /
would, and l will, So
well, my jenr,' said Mrs. HASTINGS,
i am glad you feel so and instead of prom.
ising, | will say leave it till next week and
then If you want 10 do it as much as you do
now, you may
when, next week 2 said MAY, next
week, Thursday, just at this time. o, I'm
so glad and MAY ran from the room.
The days passed quickly along, and as
each one went | am sorry TO say, the reso
lutions 50 earnestly formed wavered little
Monday afternoon, as MAY was walking
with her mother, Ruth HALL, who was al
so out with her mother, said, while the la
dies were talking, 90, MAY, isn't it nice
Christmas is coming; I'm expecting lots Of
things, though don't know what, what do
you want Z?
a piece Of money, said MAY, littlo
solemuly, I am afraid.
That's funny present. ansHe cred her
friend, u think toys are q great deal nicer
we're RUTu's last words, as the ladies babe
each other good bye.
Alas, for the good resolutions that day.
for on going home, MAY ran to her mother,
saying, Mamma, | just cant did try
hard, but it'sof no use believe, after all,
III wait till grow uP, to ito good, and
now il just be good
Just as my little girl wishes said Mrs.
HASTINGS, aud there vas the least trace Of
disappointment 10 her voice You know
l told you, however, lot TO decide until
Thursday; in the meantime / will take
you to the place, and SEQ if the child told
you true story II It's pleasant, we viii
90 tO-morrou ofarnoop ap1 tb;,L -