Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1899-12-28
NEW YEARS DEED.

y ssa. sa ssga
l. was glad New Years morn and from fan and from
The city seemed filled with the bestof good cheer.
Many people We're seen hurryng by. 0 and FRO
And some carried turkeys and chickens, know,
While the sun from his lofty position looked down
Down street a few blocks stood an old tenant house
Which seemed hardly fit for the home OF mousse
But many peor peope called that place their home.
Twas 50 with poor Bessie, who lived there alone
With Tommy, her brother, boy bout half grown
Their mother had died when they quite small
And their father while drunk had been killed but fall
50 the poor little orphans lived on as they could
And Bess, tho cripple, was patient and good.
Tom BACKED boots sold papers here and there
But often his step would be heard on the stair
AS with loud merry whistle he'd open the door
To see if his Bess felt afraid any more;
Then back down the would cheerfully run
And stay till he felt his days work all done
Things went on for time but when cold
How the wind seemed pierce thro his poor
NO oyercoat had he, no mittens warm,
And his poor aching how they suffered storm!
Little work could he find but the he must pay
TO the great angry landlord this bright New Year, day
The wood was all gone the cupboard bare:
Then poor little Bess leaned back n char
so faint from great hunger, SO blue with the cold
1t made poor Toms heart fairly ache 70 behold.
He thought she was dying; he rushed 10 her side
While slowly her lovely blue eyes opened wide
I'm faint Tom she said oct me some bread?
Can't you put your old just Bessies headP
He spread an old quilt round her quiverng form,
Bat OH he knew well that would not keep her warm.
As soon as she fellina short little doze
Tom thought for a moment then hastily rose
II he could at least one good customer spy.
He watched and he waited, but each he passed
Hurried on by the bootback fast the last,
Till there came by man with his daughter fair
Tom thought the good them come there
For as he called out, Have paper, shine?
The man threw him a bright glittering dime
And said, "Shine them nicely and quickly as well.
And while we are waiting your history tell
You look good and honest but just about half roze
Why, boy, can very thro those cothes''
So Tom as he rubbed told of Bessie small
How her poor little back had been broke BY fall.
And he went the tears filled his eyes.
iii have no one to love me when good Bessie dies
As the boots then finished he started 90,
But B.. the noble young girl called out loudly, NO no.
If Papa will let me- I'll 60 home with you,
For maybe there's something that might do
The proud rich man looked in his fair daughters face
As tho she were bringing him into disgrace.
But Papa" she added, what would Mamma say
If she We're alive this sad New Years dayp'
All! he knew SO well how she helped many poor,
None away cold from her door
The child was so like her he could not say nay;
He tet it was right she should have her way.
So Tom marshaled them on, but could it be
That these rich people would along with him go9
They climbed the steep stair, Tom opened the door
There Bessie lay stretched cold and stiff the floor
They lifted her up no, she was not quite dead.
oh I'm 50 cold the poor dying child SAID
'.Oh, Tom, are these angelsp Idreamed them o be-
But some way other can well see.
think see mother and just there she stands
Calling Bessie, and waving to me with her hands
She looked very happy, the place is fair,
oh, Tom, why can't you and poor Bessie 90 therePn
She sank back exhausted, they saw all was O er
But the rich man felt touched he er had before
Is it then, he thought that such povey's here.
That hundreds are dying like this every year?
What if it my child who has just passed away?
Cop help to live as should from this dav.
will try o be kind and a the DOOR,
And my child shall have money to do all the more
So kindly they buried the poor orphan child
She sweet, and pure and so mild,
While Tom adopted to share in their home
Where again when weary would roam
Through the cold winters blast the great
A poor little booblack, forlorn in the street
Yes, the lesson learned Twas the that's SO old
Full many time has the story been told
That amid all the large, and the weak and the strong
+ pure, simple child shall lead each along,
And guide their weak steps by these loving given,
And help each dwell with his Father in Heaven.
GERTRUDE SMITH