Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1893-12-20
THE LOST GROSCHEN,

LIE LUSI UhUSCf1EN.
It had been showing all day, intense
cold had succeeded the storm, and the
stars. shining brightly in the clear sky,
looked down ON the good old town of
Nuremberg in the year $500. It was q
beautiful winter night, and although
the curfew hour had passed the lights
still glistened through the small diamond
shaped window panes in the houses, and
the church bells rang out loud and clear.
The people were coming out of their
dwellings and walking slowly but cheer
fully along the streets, not seeming to
mind the crisp cold nor the deep snow
under their feet.
The throng of people had passed on and
the voices Of the bells had become mere
reverberations, when q little girl
about = years old appeared in the
principal street, which was now silent
and deserted. She was alone and look
ed 20 small a. she walked fearlessly
along, taking short steps SO as not to
slip on the hard glistening snow, and
| singing in . soft voice, made little
tremulous by the sharp cold, I'm old
Christmas hymn about the angels, Beth
lehem and child asleep in manager.
Suddenly she stopped, uttered a cry Of
dismay. and falling ON her knees began
searching for something in the snow.
She was evidently unsuccessful, how
ever. for her signs changed to tears and
her grief increased until it found vent in
sobs.
my money" she cried; '.my poor
groschen! o dear infant Jesus, bring
me back my groschen"
Like an answer to her prayer there
sounded not Ear Of strange, sweet
melody, and she dried her eyes suddenly
and looked about, half expecting to see
IN angel, for she thought the music
must have come from heaven, 20 beauti-
full it was.
But she soon pefceived . figure with
ont wings, harp or halo, q lad about Is
years old, dressed unlike any one in Nu-
remberg, with dark blue brooches, q
short cloak on his shoulders and little
red cap ON his black hair. He carried q
musical instrument and touched the
strings as he glanced up at house where
. light was cleaning. It was the home
Of q rich merchant, and q lantern swung
from above the doorway, and this light
had attracted the young musician. When
he had played few chords on his lutte,
be sang. and the little girl, remembering
the guide of young Tobias who had
seemed but simple traveller, began to
think. that the singer was indeed an
angel. Tho child did not understand
the singers words. and feeling sure that
he was using the language of heaven she
threw herself at his feet, clasped her
hands and raised her eyes entreatingly
70 his face.
Good angel. I pray thee, she cried,
''help me to find my groschen! beg
thee in the name of the infant Jesusy'
"What 10 the trouble, little one? Tell
me. and IL can help you I will. There
b 20 much SORROW in the world for every
one that always like to help other peo-
pie carry theirs." He smiled cheerily as
be spoke. and the child answered:
RI ha~V l0Qs my QoQey-my Gzuaeasen.
We never have anything nice for sup
per, but because it Il Christmastime
my mothsf gave me the money to buy q
sausage and an apple pie. but I have
dropped my groschen in the snow. We
have no more, and now we can have no
Christmas supper"
"Where did You drop ity asked her
listener. and when she pointed to the
spot he knelt down and began turning
over the snow. His back was turned to-
ward the child. when he gave a cry of
triumph and held up coin in his en-
gerA
"Oh, you must be an angelr' cried thu
title giri joyfully. And be added with
smile:
"A Florsntins angel then. Ny name
= Maso Napoue. Rememberit and pray
5w me sometimes, little one Now.
podby. Go buy your supper"
Not until I have been to the mid.
night mass" replied the girl my
noGher i i'll, % ! must 60 and pray for
her."
Then I viii 20 with you" said Maso,
taking her hand. "What is your manner
''Christine Dacha My mother is the
Widow Gudule."
"Your mother has to work."
"Yes, she does beautiful embroidery.
DO little Of it, but I have not learned
% work very wen yet. Pretty soon
shall do Il better. and then mamma can
xssk She = often tired and weak, and
Win she cannot work We have n
0ney."
Il am IN alone IN the world, )" said Tn
yuuth whsa Christine stopped speaking.
/ 81 49, - s,na.Ha ~ $780, - 49,