The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1881-11-11
ROSE LEAVES.
BY ERNEST GILMORE.


Kindness is slowed away in the
heart like rose-leaves in a drawer,
to sweeten every object around.'
A little girl of about nine years
old was walking along q muddy
street in Chicago; her father held
her hand, and seemed very tender
in his care of her. The quality aud
style of their garments limited
strongly of wealth, while the strong,
good tace OF the father, aud the
loving. sweet one of his child, told
of something better than wealth.
even of depth of hearts. Just as
they reached a crossing, where the
mud was thicker and the wind
blew stronger, aud vehicles of all
descriptions passed each other In
tiresome confusion, they noticed n
poorly clad old woman, on whose
trembling arm rested a large bask
ct heavily laden, standing on the
corner, as if fearful of crossing
over. She looked anxiously at the
whirling carts, and deprecatingly
at the passers. by. No one seemed
to heed her as the well-dressed
lhrong hurried along.
"Come, Edith" said the father,
''this is q dangerous crossing; papa
will carry you across"
lie put out his arms, as be spoke
lovingly. But the child only whisp-
cred:
"Papa, l have rubbers; I'm not
afraid of the mud. Papa, see the
poor old woman-she seems afraid
of something, see how she trembles.
Couldn't you help her, papa, while
| run aheadr
For answer, the gentleman ap-
preached the old woman, saying in
a low voice:
"This Is a tiresome crossing,
Madam, let me lead you across; /;
give me the basket, please.o
Could you have seen the rested,
thankful look on that weary old, face
as the woman found herself safe Oh
the other side, think you would
have echoed her fervent cry: "God
bless that man, aud the blessed
child, tool"
OF course there were sneering
smiles ON some countenances which
witnessed the quiet act Of helpful
ness, but it mattered not as long
az one knew that around the great
white throne there were smiles of
Joy because two Of His followers
had not In selfishn ess neglected
doing favor to even the "least of
these
Iuto q very elegant palace car
entered Q weary faced, poorly dress.
ed woman with three little children,
one q babe IN arm. A look Of Joy
crept into her face as she sat down
10 one Of the luxurious chairs. But
it was quickly dispelled 10 she was
asked rudely to "start her boots
A smile of amusement was seen
on several faces as the frightened
group hurried out to enter one Of
tho common cars. Upon one young
face, however, there was . look
which shamed the countenauces OF
the others.
"Auntie,n said the boy to the la.
dy beside him, "Pm going to carry
my basket Of fruit and this box Of
sandwiches to the poor woman In
the next Car. You are willing Of,
course.
He spoke eagerly, but she an
swered: "Don't be foolish, dear /;
you may need them yourself, and
perhaps the woman Is an impos-
tor
"No, I'll not need them," he an.
swered decidedly, but In Q ycry
low tone. "You know l had q
hearty breakfast, and I don't need
lunch. The woman looks hun.
cry, auntie, and so tired too, with
those three little babies clinging to
her, III be back in q minute, aun-
tie. l know mother wouldn't like
il II l didn't speak q kind word to
the least of these when meet
them.r
The worldly aunt brushed tear
from her eye after the boy left her,
and said audibly, "Just like his.
MOTHER
About Ave minutes later, as a Ia
dy passed the mother and the three
children, she saw a pretty sight
the family feasting as perhaps they
never had before. The dainty
sandwiches were eagerly eaten, the
tempting fruit basket stood open.
The oldest child, with her mouth