Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-07-05

She saw her father soothing and support
ing her fainting mother and heard him say,
" Bread She dies for want Of food"
al have no bread" sobbed wretched
Marie. Then there was loud wall from
the little boys and cry Of despair from
the father.
Marie could not bear IL, but ran away
again, without waiting to hear any more.
a new thought had entered her mind and
half-crazed by the distress of those she
loved so well, She would not stop to
think whether IL was right or wrong She
ran from one street TO another, till she saw
bakers shop, which seemed TO have no
body in it and then calling up all her cour-
age, she rushed in, lifted loaf, aud fled.
But the shopkeeper had seen her from
behind the counter. How should he know
she was starving lie shouted, ran after
her, and pointed her out TO the people pass
ing by
Marie ran on. It seemed to her as If the
whole world were pursuing her, and at last
the loaf of bread was snatched out of her
hand. After that she did not care what be
came Of her, and so was seized at once.
They took her toward the poice-ofhce.
Poor little creature; doesn't il make your
heart ache to think Of itY She looked
that crowd who would have the least pity
on herr
Why. YES there stood by the door little
girl OF her own age, with golden hair and
blue eyes, like the picture Of an angel
Quick as thought Marie whispered in the
little girls ear
Father aud mother, aud my two broth
ers, are dying for want of bread
"Where 2"
Marie gave the street aud number Not
that she supposed il would be Of the least
use but it is relief when our hearts are
breaking TO speak to any one who looks at
US kindly She had hardly finished when
she was carried in before the terrible man,
called the commissary of police !" but She
had left a true friend at the door.
go, what can do for herY II is dread
full, dreadful, for any one to be so hungry"
thought Clarice " II mamma were only at
home, I'm sure she would give me some
thing to carry to those poor people, She is
always so kind but she is gone away, and
before tomorrow they will starve. o, !
know what can dol" Here She stopped
suddenly and clapped her hands " can
sell my curls II is better to do that than
to let people starve.'
OF She ran to the hairdresspr, quite out
of breath.
"Please, sir, you said you'd give me a
piece Of gold for my curls."
"Your curls Did your mamma send
you 2"
30, sir; but want 10 be rid of them
this very minute. She won't care cut
them right of; please do e.
90, but you said you loved them dearly.
Wait till next summer, when they feel as
warm around your neck as a fur collar"
But | can't wait Mamma is gone
| away to-day, and ! want some money. q, |
want it so Where are your shears 2"
But the hair-drcsser would not make the
least snip till he knew what Carice wanted
of the money, When she had told him, he
turned his head away to hide his tears,
| for he was a good man, aud the child's
generosity touched him to the heart.
SO that is it," said he, pretending to
/ laugh; "and you would lose your beautiful
curls for the sake Of a naughty little girl.
who is perhaps a regular thief"
| 90, She never stole before, know she
never did. Won't you please hurry, and
cut my hair 2"
I'M tell you what I'll do, my dear
won't stop to cut it to-day but III give
you fifteen francs now, and the rest to-mor-
row, after your mother comes home"
90, how good you are cried Clarice,
taking the money and running off as fast
as she could for a basket, which she filed
with as much food as it would hold.
All this while the Lenoir family had been
in an agony of suspense as well as hunger,
"What can have become of Marie
hope nothing has happened to her" said
/ the father.
Just then light steps were heard coming
up the stairs, and all the four unfortunates
uttered cry of joy. But instead of Marie,
it was a stranger, little girl with beauti.
ful bloom in her cheeks, and long golden
hair falling in curls over her shoulders.
Your daughter cant come back to-day,
said She nodding and setting basket OF
food aud five-franc piece on the table
she can't come back to-day; but don't be
uneasy, I'm sure you'll see her tomorrow
Then looking around upon them all with q
pleasant smile, she yanished-this dear little
fairy-before any one hal time to say
" Thank YOU"
OF course the hair-dresser went to the
polce-ofice, and pleaded for poor little
Marie, who was let off with a very light
punishment.
But more than that, he told so many
people the story of Carice's curls, that
many friends were raised up for Marie,
family and poor VI. Lenoir and his wife
were soon restored to health and comfort
It is needless 10 say that Carice still keep,
her beautiful hair Conpcga'iondiisf.