Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1880-07-29
THE LITTLE SISTER OF CHARITY.

Young Harry Gilfiory was Just twenty-four
And had to his credit million or more;
TO him the great world was garden of flowers
And he, like butterfly, wasted his hours
He trequented clubs, and be drove his fast horse
Was the pet OF the bellies and their mammas of course
He had nothing to do but kill time, and fear
This cost him at least twenty thousand year.
Like many pOssessors of very great wealth,
He thought more of pleasures that kill than of health
The wine cup he'd quatf till his wits went astray
And sometimes he'd cling 10 it day after day
Till nature gave ont and he'd awake at the close
Ot engthened debauch, sick, unnerved, and morose-
A prey TO remorse, and disgusted to think
Ot the folles he'd wrought while demented by drink
Twas after a turn of this kind that young Gil
Detected. unDeIved by excess, and quite ill
Lounged in his hotel, to all outward things blind
Al war with himself and with all Of his kind
bis Young features wore an expression fOrorn,
His clothes were bedaubed and in some places torn
His hair was unkempt and his eyes were blood-shot
And he looked very much like penniless sot
Though society's pet, and by every one known
Not one spike to Gil as he sat there alone;
lie was lett u rmolested amid the rude din,
Illl small beggargrl from the street venured in,
Her clothing was thin, and her features were pnchd
But from the rude gazers the child never finch'd;
She must have been less than dozen years oId.
But long fight with hardship has rendered her bold,
To each lounger the little petitioner went
Please give nae a copper, sir-only cent!
Since morning I've had not morsel to eat,
And I'm tired, so tired, from walking the street. e.
Some gave her penny, some pushed her aside;
But firm and undaunted, she every one tried
Till she came to our hero the wretched Gilfory
Held out her wee hand, and repeated her story
you've nothing to eat since the morning you say .
Gill sulleny growed. Little girl go away!
For three days I've tasted no food; so You see
You are tar better of,,you young beggar, than met
The girl hung her head and had nothing to say,
But rhe heaved deep sigh and walked slowly away
She paused at the door, hesitated and then
Turned quickly, and faced young Gilfory again.
Poor man she exclaimed; 's1m so sorry for you !"
And her pityng eyes filled with heavenly dew
And her voice had pathOf as tender and sweet
As our SaviOrIs when Magdalen knelt at his feet:
Thee days without eating Oh that is too bad!
Here, take these five cents, and you'll make glad,
You know you can't live without something to eat,
And can get help from scme one on the street"
From his indolent stupor Gifory awoke
At first he felt snre that the child meant to joke
he looked at her keenly, but naught could he trace
Save angelic sympathy in her young face.
by Heaven! she means it, he cried, in surprise;
Her young bosom heaves; there tears in her yes
Both language and accent speak pity and love
She offers me money, and means it, by Jove!
"This poor little waif princess tonight,
And am the subject that pales in her light.
She has taught me a lesson that cannot depart
While reason remains and there's warmth in my heart
She has taught the lesson that Chri taught of old
hat the heart which can feel is the genuine god,
And that in His bright home most blessed He'll call
Not those who gave largely but those who gave all.
COme here thou fra waf of small form but big heart
Gllhorys the beggar-the lady thou art!'
And quietly taking his hat from his head,
de passed II around to each person, and said
~ want five dollars, please, not single cent less,
FOR this angel OF light in a calico dress!
They gave without grumbling but then, don't you sce
They gave to young millionaire on spree,
VINO passed II in turn to the ''ange of light
III the calico DRESS" and kept sober that night.