The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-04-14
Ghilaten's Column.
Mrs. Thompson's Visitors.
BY MRS. A. E. c. A. MAsKELL.


ment upon two little girls standing upon
her front porch. They could not have
been more than six or eight years of age,
such wee things out in the cold Novem-
Der winds-the elder carrying packet
under her arm, and the younger a purse
clutched tightly in her little chubby
hands.
No, we have plenty of matches, said
the lady, kindly.
Yes, ma am" was the meek reply,
and the two little girls had turned down
the steps,
How cold they looked, so scantily
dressed and then their manner, how diff
ferent from scores of peddlers which
tramped the streets almost daily. Mrs.
Thompson could not shut the door.
Little girls, said she.
Yes, ma am, said a quivering voice,
aid as the little girls turned back, Mrs.
Thompson saw that the sweet blue eyes
OF the younger one were filled with tears
Aren't you cold?"
Eyes, ma'am."
Come in then, and get warm I want
to talk with you
The little girls came forward and Mrs
Thompson led them into the nice, warm
diningroom.
a. Now let me take off your things, e"
said the lady, and you shall eat your
supper while have chat with you
Tea is just ready"
Please, ma'am, we are not beggars"
said the elder one, her pale cheeks flush
ing.
"Of course you are not, said Mrs.
Thompson, quickly. "You are my visi-
tors"
The little girls looked shyly at each
other, and then dropping their heads with
pleasant smile, submitted to have their
hoods and shawls removed.
Now, said Mrs. Thompson, after the
tea had been finished to the satisfaction
Of ALL p" am going to make you little
present to take home to your mamma
My friends often make me presents, and,
If l can, sometimes / return them; but
as many Of my friends are very wealthy,
very often can no more than say thank
you: l like to get presents very much,
don't you?"
"Once we did, before papa died, but
no one makes us presents now, said the
elder little girl
Well, / am going to, and love to have
visitors, too, very much-and best of all
little girl visitors and so now that I
have become acquainted with you shall
expect you to come and see me often.-
Indeed, l shall be very much hurt if you
do not.
ooh, we will comet said the elder
one think it is nice to have such a
sweet place to come visiting, don't you,
Gertie ?"
The little one nodded her head, and
then Mrs. Thompson, with gentle fingers,
again robed the little girls, saying, "You
my bring the basket back the next time
you come to see me-
" Yes, ma am, they replied in chorus,
clutching hold of each others hands, as
they started down off from the porch. -
Mrs. Thompson watched them until
they turned a corner, and then she went
into the house, wondering whether she
should ever see them again.
But scarcely a week had passed before
they came to restore the basket, and after
that they became frequent visitors, always
meeting with kind reception.
AT last holiday arrived, and again
Mrs. Thompson found them upon the
front porch,
please, ma am, said the smaller one,
the bright smile breaking out all over her
face, 1--WE have come to spend all the day
with yQu,
Yes. we don't have any matches to
sell to-day" said the other,
I am 50 glad said Mrs. Thompson.
Come right in and take off your things"
and taking each one by the hand she led
them into the parlOr full of grown-up
ladies.
The little girls hung back, the elder
one saying, please, ma am, we did not
know that you had other company"
"0h that no differencel" smiled Mrs
Thompson. Ladies, let me make you
acquainted with nay two little friends,
Nellie and Gertie Harrington.
The ladies smiled and nodded, though
some could not conceal their surprise
and Mrs Thompson, to put them more at
their ease, seated them on sofa with a
beautiful book of prints to engage their
attention
They seemed very well contended until
they had looked the book through, then
Nellie said, please, Mrs. Thompson, if
you'll get our things, we j be going now -
L 80 Al