Middletown transcript., 1876-02-26
MDDLEroWN DELAWARE MORNING, FEBRUARY

the searching winds blew and switched
her thin garments around her and 81.
most tsking her breath at times: on
she hurried. holding in one haud the
paper IN which was written the suppl.
cation for help
The morning being intensely cold,
but few. as yet. we're on the street
Doors we're closed, and blinds drawn
down in many houses the shutters were
: still bolted. as If to keep out the biting
wind. Of coming king winter.
As she hurried on up Fourth street.
looking up. she saw the blinds raised.
and face at the window. twill call
here, they cannot turn me away'-with
stifsned fingers she rang the bell.
| The same face she had seen at the
window met her at the door; aud in
silence the two traversed the long hall
to the sitting room beyond. where q
lady. possessing all the comforts Of life,
sat warming her hands BY the heater.
Jean looked up. and the lady. .scith
a half.bred stare. looked .at each; not
. word was spoken.
Jean stretched forth her red and
swollen hand-rhe fingers then almost
TOO stiff to hold the paper-the lady
snatched it from her. and for moment
scanned the scraps Of paper. then with
ferocious CLEAN in her eye. thrusting
the scrap back into her hand. she said:
mo. begone aud work as I do J"
The pinched and hallowed face grew
white as death. the pale lips doivered
sud twitched for a moment; then NOV
ing the bundle on her arm and drawing
the shawl closer around her, she sought
the street again.
As she left the door, her soul cried
out: '.Ol merciful God; how long will
this last? What can I do Christ fell
by the way side under the burden Of
his cross, and too will stseger and
fall. am only child and this is too
much-my cross is too heavy" and
tears fell thick and fast; with be-
uumbed fingers she brushed them away
with the corner Of her little shawl.
The eye weeps tears Of water, while the
heart weeps tears of blood.
Hurrying on. she scarcely noticed
the forms passing and repassing; strong
men with their great and heavy ulster
coats buttoned up to the chin. and warm
gloves covered their hands. all this she
needed not. but steadily proceeded.
cIutching. now. aud then, at her shawl
to keep It in place.
As she neared great brown build
ing, she looked up and said: "Ah!
yes. this is it. This is Gods house"
and looking up At the stained windows.
thoughts Of brighter. happier days
fitted through her mind. OF days
when she had no thought Of care and
sorrow. privatiou and want.
She sees herself pass 10 the church.
with the happy throng and take her
seat with her class in the Sunday
school All the little children are there
looking so joyous sud bright. She hears
the voices Of the teachers and children
raise and fall with the peal Of the organ.
AZ they swell she hymns Of praise tbat
echoes and re-echoes through her
brain. \
Again she sees her pastor rise and
bids them pray. At last the cards ere
given to each child the card is in her
hand. she sees in large letters on il;
Feed my lambs" sai |
She feels shock, the vision has
passed. for some one. in their haste, al
most knocked her down.
A moment, she .stares in bewilder.
meut to find herself leaning sgainst the |
iron railing round the church; then
looking down At her. hands she sees the
scrap Of paper auttering in her fingers.
oh can this be trueY Am l freez-
ing. starving. dying 10 the very shadow
Of Gods house! (! How long. o. how
long will this last !? Will never reach |
the end?"
Poor little Marguerite, my little
sister will almost freeze to-day. for
her feet are as bear a. my hands " She
said. as the thought Of her little sister
came, strength came With ie. and ~
she neared Market street, crowds Of
boys we're rushing along. some hooting.
others shouting. and men collecting 10
groups. others passing on. "What can
this mean 2" and as she nesred the |
corner. the crowd parted. A police
man came leading by the band sn old
man whose form seemed bowed down
with years. the long whito hsir flowing |
back from brow furrowed by care
Jean Looked on-and thoughts Of her |
own trouble seemed to have vanished
as the form 10 tatters passed BY her.
What can be his crime? I? Not much. l
am sure. All yes, be has taken food
from the market people. With oil our
want I have not done this /" With
elapsed hands she stood locking after
the old man.
my God, my God. 1 thank thee for
all thy watchful care and loving kind.
ness to u.s. Oh! how ,ungrafeful l
have been bow unworthy Of thy bles-
sings! when. not even the fall Of
sparrow evades thy sight. / must not
murmur again at our lot, it might be
worse"
She reached the shop and Der work
was being examined, che chafed her red
hands 1t the great stove. Presently q
voice said: ''Jeaunetss your work is
ready" and as she lifted the large roll
from the counter, the same voice said:
jean, here is . warm pair Of woollen
mittens. for doing your work SO WE'LL"
With heartfelt thanks she drew on
the mitseus. took up her work and was
out in the bitter. cold again. When she
reached home, the petition paper was
burned, with q resolve never to ask
aims again.
On she struggled with ineessant toll