Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-11-17
The Little Cash Girl.

In one of the great stores Of New York
city, which to the stranger seems may, in
tricate and beautiful as a fairy palace, a
pleasant lady stood at counter making
purchases, when at her side she heard an
irrtated voice say:
"Cash Sirty-fVe is the most selfish and
hateful girl | ever knew. l can't bear to
speak to her."
Yes" said the other did you see how
she jerked the ribbon out of my hand. She
is just as rude and ugly as that always"
The lady listened i'll silence and watched
with interest the return of the little cash
girl. Soon slight, poorly-dressed child
with frowning face and sullen manner pre-
sented herself. Full of sympathy for the un-
happy child, the lady followed her as she
left the counter, and when out of hear
| ing of the others touched her gently on
the shoulder. The child turned suddenly,
| as il expecting reproach or rebuke to see
a kind face looking down upon her, and
| gentle voice said, /" | overheard some girls
say you were cross and selfish. Are you un-
kind to them? | wish you would try to be
good and pleasant. II you do, they will
learn TO love you, and you will be much hap
pier"
Feeling the sympathy of this strange
friend, the pent-up passion in the child's
heart burst forth, aud bitter tears flowed
down her face as she exclaimed; There is
no use trying to be good. | get scolded ev-
erywhere. Everything | do is wrong. Here
| have to run all day, and the girls make fun
Of my mean clothes. When / get home,
father scolds and mother is cross. / can't
be good"
The lady drew her kindly 10 her side, and
short story revealed the picture OF mis-.
cradle home where there was nothing TO
help the poor child to overcome the sullen
temper, which was perhaps the result of un-
kind treatment. With heart full of love
and tenderness, the lady felt as il she would
shield in her arms the lonely and unlovely
child. She had often said, al feel as If ]
wanted to claim for my own all the real bad
and abused children" Soothing with gentle
words, which were like refreshing rain to
the thirsty flower, she said on leaving;
"Now want you to try to be kind and
obliging. See if you do not feel happier,
and if the girls do not like you better and
treat you more kindly. Two weeks from
to-day am coming here to inquire about
you. Now do try TO behave, so that when
ask the Others they will say you are one
of the incest girls in the store. I'll be sure
to come. Now you'll try, won't you ?"
Words OF encouragement were strange 10
the poor girl, and seemed to put strength
into her heart, as she gave the lady her
promise to try to be good.
In the whirl of busy life, one might
expect that the incident would be forgotten.
But the childs faith never wavered, and the
thought of the kind and lovely lady nerved
her TO bear meekly many rude word and
groundless reproach, and the next two
weeks were happy ones, for they were
frightened by hope.
At last the time came when the welcome
visitor might be expected. Eagerly the
little cash girl scanned every one who on
busy errands, crossed her way. And she
was not destined to disappointment. On
inquiriug about Cash siriy:fve, the lady
found ready testimony OF her improved
temper and more amiable ways.
We don't know what's come over her.
She don't act like she used to at all, and
she amt bit cross now"
With thankful heart, the lady thought,
"Oh if my few words have only been help
to that poor child |" And life seemed more
worth living than it had for many day, for
she, too, had known sorrow aud trouble.
She soon found Cash Siriy,fpe, and told her
how gladly she had heard of the victory she
had gained over herself since they last met.
~ may not see you again, but you have
One Friend who loves and sees you always.
He will help you, dear child, if you will only
trust and love him. | want to get you lit
tie present, not as reward, but to remind you
how much better it is TO be kind and good"
Taking her name and address, she sent
beautiful copy of "Little Women" TO the
delighted child, who never knew the name
Of the lovely lady that had made such .
bright spot in her life.
Happy for humanity, there are not few
such hearts, full of love and pity for the
burden-carriers in the jour
ney of life. Angels of mercy now In sad
and sinful world, the wings Of these beaute-
ous souls are unfolding which shall one day
bear them TO . more congenial CLINE.