Smyrna times., 1878-07-24
Alps Well that Ends Well.

Just back of Bristol avenue, where the
palatial stores lowered skyward, where the
richly-cl walked to and fro, making
costly purchases amid the destinations of
brilliant lights and well-filled purses, runs
n narrow, wretched street called Dirk's
Lane" but "Scarecrow Row" would be
more appropriate, for the cottages were
falling to pieces, the steps decaying, the
rickety, broken-hinged blinds beating back
and forth in the gusty wind, the weather.
beaten fences dilapidated, clapboards swing
ing, and the old broken window.panes
stuffed with rags, old hats, etc. Can this
be an artery of the great city? Yes; the
living tide flows freely here, although pale,
sad countenances are seen faces furrowed,
and scantily clothed forms gliding despair
ingly through the street. Children look
pinched and spectral; their thinly-clothed
arms and bare hands purple with cold as
they hurry along, as fast as their numb
| feet will allow, to their wretched homes.
As we enter one of the crazy tenements,
we find that the snow has been before us,
and an involuntary chill shakes us as we
see the line of cold whiteness which has
been sifted through the cracks of the door.
A fire burns feebly in an old grate-so
feebly, that all but stony hearts must sigh
for the human woe here enshrined-and
upon the neatly-swept hearth three children
sit talking The lamp-light, Pickering tC
its wane, reveals by its sickly fame the
mother kneeling beside an old broker
cradle, in which a sick child of two year
lay asleep. The little hands held one o
hers in tight clasp, and unwilling to dis
turb the child. she left her hair Just as
had fallen from ITS fastenings-all abou
her shoulders-a halo of beauty. She wa
fearful that the night of death was gather
ing about her only daughter, the little chill
of four short summers, and as she locke
= at the guileless, baby face, she though
poor mother, that it might be best so, fc
He who loves little ones, carries tn
lambs in his bosom, and Father" sh
prayed, "save her from such a storm
pathway as her mothers has been -
Finally, as the child moves in her sleel
the little hands loosen their hold, and tn
mother joins the boys by the heartl
J. " Mother, dear mother, is there ar
bread 2" asked Harry, the youngest; &c
anything, mother, | don't care what
added Fred. while Frank, the eldest, sa
nothing, only taking his mothers han
and rubbing his thin little face against it.
The mother went to the pantry al
brought out three slices of stale bread ar
II a pint .basin of cold broth. "Ths, W
IN have to do tonight" she said, mot addil
- that there was not another mounthful
the house) and bending down, she held Il
basin over the flame until it was hot, al
then poured it over the bread.
to "Oh, mother, it is so good" said Harr
he "tastes like more" added Fred, with a fai
ID. attempt at a joke.
tn The weary mother talked with the be
Nj for a weary half hour, endeavoring to pu
brightness in her words that her poor he
never knew, and then said, Z" Boys, it wou
be warmer for you in bed mother will tn
YOU up, for it is bitter night" and s
shivered as she spoke. Their bed was ol
an old mattress, spread in one corner;
as their mother tucked the woolen sprt
around them, and they were still clotf
with coats and pants, they began to
quite comfortable.
They talked in low whispers. but
mother heard all. Frank spoke first. g
boys, l saw such a jolly shawl sold to-da.
II. OConnors auctioni 1t was so red anC
- warm, oh my, and it only cost one doll
y if only could have bought it for moth'
"Where's your money you earned h
ing horses, I'd like to known" quel
= Z Fred.
- "Gone to pay for medicine and broth
: Baby May" answered Frank, and t
added in a lower voice, Fred, I'm af
Baby May is going to Heaven"
n "Doin' to Heaven" echoed Harry
- wis tould do, too, dere's everysin' boo
Ex- dere, 'trismas presents and ALL"
ice. "Let US pray to God to take US too