The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-06-16
Ghildrem's Column.
The Little Cash Girl.
A TRUE STORY.

Pers lor ABUSED OlnQerellaS, are not very
common in these prosaic days, but some
times things that are unusual and very
pleasant happen to those who least expect
them. In one of the great stores of New
York city, which to the stranger seems
may, intricate, and beautiful as fairy
palace, a pleasant lady stood at counter
making purchases, when at her side she
heard an irritated voice say:
:" Cash Slrty-fve is the most selfish an
hateful girl | ever new can't bear to
speak to her."
Yes said the other, did you see
how she jerked that ribbon out of my
hand. She is just as rude and ugly as
that always
The lady listened in silence and watched
with interest the return of the little cash
girl. Soon slight, poorly dressed child,
with frowning face and sullen manner,
presented herself. Full of sympathy for
the unhappy child, the lady followed her
as she left the counter and when out of
hearing of the others, touched her gently
on the shoulder. The child turned sud-
denly, as if expecting a reproach or re-
buke, to see kind face looking down
upon her, and a gentle voice said: "I
noaiu oohie SiIls say you were Cross
and selfish. Are you unkind to them?
wish you would try to be good and
pleasant, if you do, they will learn to
love you and you will be much happier"
Feeling the sympathy of this strange
friend, the pent-up passion in the child's
heart burst forth, and bitter tears flowed
down her face as she exclaimed: "There
is no use trying to be good. get scolded
everywhere. Every thing I 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. 1 can't be good"
The lady drew her kindly to her side
and short story revealed the picture of
miserable home where there was moth
ing to help the poor child overcome the
sullen temper, which was perhaps the re-
suit of unkindly treatment With heart
full of love and tenderness, the lady felt
as if she would shield in her arms the
lonely and unlovely child, She had often
said, II feel as if wanted to claim for
my own all the real bad and abused chill
dren. Soothing her 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
obhging. 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 I ask the others, they will say you
are one of the. incest girls in the store.
III be sure to come. Now you'll try,
won't you?"
Words of encouragement were strange
to the poor child and seemed to put
strength in her heart, as she gave the lady
her promise to try to be good
In the whirl of busy life, one might ex-
pect 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 well
come 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 inquiring about Cash SiTty-fve, the
lady found ready testimony to her i'm
proved temper and more amiable ways
We don't know what's come over her
She don't act like she use to at all, and
she amt bit cross now
With thankful heart the lady thought,
O, 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 and
trouble. She soon found Cash iStrts,-fve,
and told her how gladly she had heard
Of the victory she had gained over herself
since they last met
I 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. I
want to get you little present not as a
reward, but to remind you how much bet
ter it is to be kind and good.
Taking her name and address, she sent
a 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.
Happily for humanity, there are not a
few such hearts, full Of love and pity for
the heavily-weighted burden-carriers in
the journey of life. Angels of mercy
now in sad and sinful world, the wings