Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1882-05-02
MIscELLkREoUs,
LITTLE PIERRE,

S n an humble reom, in ono of tho poorest
o streets of London, Pisrre, q fathsrless
french boy, sat hunming by the bedside of
HIS sick nothsr. There Was no bread in the
closet, and for the whole day he had not
tasted food: Yet he sat humming, to keep
up his spirits. Sill at times he thought nj
his loneliness sBd hunger, and he could
scsreely keep the tesrs from bis eyes, for he
kasv nothing would be SO grateful to his
poor Invalid mother as a good, sweet GRANGE.
aud yot he had not penny il the verId
The little sang he was singing was his own
one SO had composed with air and words
for the child vas q genius.
He vent 10 the window, and looking ont
saw. msR putting mp a great bill with vel
low letters, announcing that Madame Siil.
ibran would sing that night in public.
80, If | e"uld only gel" thought little
Pierre sad then, Psusiug moment, he
ciasPed his hnnas his eyes lighted with
new hope. RGoSiag to the littls stand he
smoothed down his yellow ourls, and taking
from little box some old stained paper gave
oae esger glance at his mother, who slcpt.
aad ran swiftly from the house.
"WhO did you say is waiting for mo ?"
said Msdans to her EervSut. ~ ara already
worn out with conpsny."
III ia only very pretty little boy with
yellow osrls, who says if he can just see YOU
he is sure you'll DO. be sorry, and he will not
keep you moment"
20, we'll, let him como !" ssid the besuti.
fui singer, With q smile; csn nevor refuse
ohildIen"
Little Pierre cano in, his bat under bis
arm, and in his hand li:tIs roll of paper
with manliness upusual foe Q child. ne
ko ha Icl
said o.
II came to SEQ you because nv mother is
very sick, and We are too poor to get food and
medicine. l thought that perhaps if YOU
would enty sing my little song at soro of
your grand concerts maybe some publisher
won Id buy 1t for small sum, SO l could got
some food and medicine for my mother"
The beautiful woman rose from her seat
Very tail aud stately che wss. She took the
little roll of paper from his hand, and lightly
hummed the air.
"Did you compose it 7'' she oskcd-.svou. n
child! And the words? Would you ike to
como to ny eoneort7 2" ahe asked.
80, yes !" aud the boys eyes grew prieht
with happiness; "but L couldn't leave nv
mother"
Il will scud somebody to take care of your
toother for the evening, and hero is crown
With which you may go and get food snd
medicine. Here is, s!so, one of my tickets.
Come o,night; that will admit you to scat
near me-"
Almost beside himself with joy, Pierro
bought some oranges, and many a little lux
ury besides, aud carried them home to the
poor invalid, telling her, not Without tears, OF
his good fortune.
When evening came, and Pierre WAS admit
tod to the concert hall, he felt that mover in
his life had he been 10 SO grand place. The
music, the myriad of lights, the beauty. tho
tssbiDg of diamonds and the rugtling Of silk.
beEiiGered his eyes and brain
At last she came, and the child sat with
his glance riveted on her glorious face. Gould
re believe that tbs grand lady, all blszing with
jewels, tnd whom everybody seemed TO wor>
ship, would really sing his little soue?
Breathlcss he waited. The band, the whole
band, struck up little plautive melody: he
knew it, and clspPed his hands for Joy. And
., how abe sang it Il was so simple. go
mouIntui; many a bright eye dimmed with
teAIs, and Rsught could he heard but the
touching cords of that little song-O, go very
touching!
Pierre walked home as if he we're moving
on the air. What. cared he for money now
The greatest singer in all Europe had sung
ms HI:le song, ana thousands had Hept at
his grief.
The next day he wa, frightened at vis;.
from Madame MAlibrsu. She laid her hands
On his yellow curls, and, turning te the sick
woman, she said:
Your little boy. madam, has brought you
fortune. l Was ofsrcd this morning bv the
best publisher in London, G30O fer his little
soGg, and after he has realizsd certain
amount from thu sale, li:tle Pierre ia to share
the profit Madam, thank God tbst your son
has gift from heaven"
The nobie.bearted singer and the DOOR vo.
man wept together. AS to Pierre. alwsy,
mindful of Him who watches over the tried
and tempted, he knott down By his mothers
bedside and uttered simple but elOquen.
prayer, asking Gods blessing on the kind
lady who had deigned to notice their sfflio.
ton.
The memory of that prayer made the
singer even more teuder-hearsed, and she
wac was the idol of Englspd's nobility went
! about DOING poOd And - bo- ao-I-