The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-04-10

basket"
Around the table, with eager, expoctant
eyes, gathered the little family, while Gri-
selle brought forth ono by one the differ
ent articles from the basket and placed
them upon it.
There now remained but one package.
As she stopped down to bring it out she
exclaimed "All shut your eyes!"
Then there was rustic of paper, Stir
ring through tho room, the rattling oil
dishes, when down on the TIA BILE something
was set.
"Now you may look. J."
And what did they sec? A large coffee
cake.
"This is for our supper.
Then she told them about tho dainty
little miss to whom they We're indebted.
'God bless herp' murmured tho mother
rs she wiped away a tear that was trickling
down her cheek.
In a luxurious mansion on one of the
fashionable avenues little miss sat in her
room alone.
Her mother upon entering called out in
n casual way And what is my little pet
thinking OFF,
She really had not observed that her lit
tie pet was sitting with her hands crossed
on her lap, with her eyes resting upon the
glowing bed of Goals that lay in the open
CRATE in meditative mood.
Come and sit near me, and will tell
you, replied the child. II was just think
ing how unhappy l should bc if / had
sick mamma and little sisters pleading for
bread. "
"But you haven't, my pet laughed the
mother.
"No, but the little flower girl has. 4"
Come, my dear. We will go down TO
the parlor and have somo music. You
must not let such thoughts disturb your
mind. These may have been no truth
whatever in what she said. There are so
many impostors, we must not be affected
by the pitiful tales we hear. =
"Oh, but, mamma, don't let us think
that she is one The Saviour said when
he was upon earth that we should have
the poor with us always. Let us believe
that she is one of the deserving poor that
needs our help and let us help her. have
just lovely idea, +" she exclaimed, her face
beaming with animation as she sprang
from her chair and seated herself upon her
mothers lap. LET me make her an Eas-
ter PRESENT."
This only child was not overly indulged
but her reasonable requests were usually
If not always granted.
This, thought the mother. was i reason
able request and the motive hatprompted
it a magnanimous and noble. one.
You dear, sympathetic child, she ex
claimed as she embodied her in her arms,
Il think you can; but como. We had
hoff fs,..f fT,o Inv ho Gp
before the judge and abide by his deci-
sion"
Arm in arm they tTippcd down the
stairs and through the hall until they
reached the courtroom Court had evil
IDENTIFY adjourned, but there the judge sat
rcrusing the evening paper
Upon being aware of tho presence of
others he laid tho paper across his knee
and looked over his glasses with u rather
stern countenance, as judge is rather apt
to have.
Before he was given chance to speak
his petitioner thus addressed him:
Judge, l have case to lay before your
honor. My little daughters sympathes
were very much enlisted this afternoon
while out walking We We're confronted
by poorly clad, delicate looking wait u
as we passed her, II bunch Of yiolets in my
face and urged my buying. In a trem-
bling voice she told pitiful tale Of sick
mother and Of little sisters crying for bread
which they could not have unless she sold
her violets. My little daughter has seem
ed very much concerned--yea, unhappy
about her and her family and wishes to
make her AZ Easter present. Before act
IL -
honor
"A very lautlable wish" replied the
judge. Grant it most assurcdly, and
drawing out roll of bills from his pocket
this is NY contribution, which / shall
gladly donate to the good cause selecting
n large bill, which he handed to the little
miss.
| Now all formality of the courtroom was
lost in the JOY and freedom of the home
circle
/ Easter dawned bright and calm. Tie
chimes of Trinity resounded sweetly upon
the air, and from the belfry towers far and
near peeled forth joy and gladness that
earth was not doomed to darkness and de-
cay, but that through the risen Lord there
should be light and life.
The streets were tbronged with hand
somely attired men and women, some re-
turning from early church, somo on their
way to church, others out to see and per-
haps be seen. Handsome equipages, drawn
by prancing horses, were driven hither
and thither.
! certain coachman turned his horses
heads toward the east and drove rapidly
until he reached n street whose shabby
tenements, numerous children in the door
ways. poorly clad, dirty, bareheaded, whose
shrill voices In laughter or distress com
mingled with the gruff voices of the men
that stood in little groups along the pave.
ment excitedly debating some question In
common, bespoke its poverty and misery