Year: 1863

In the name OF Him VINO pardoned
the theft on the cross, beseech you to let
me CO." g. af


Tears were running down my face like
rain, and 1 could avoid interfering no
longer, and stepped up to the policeman
and laying my hand on his arm said :" l
beg pardon sir, the woman's story is true !;
allow me to pay for the bread, and let
her 60" He turned around in surprise
and replied, Madame, | beg that you
will allow me to execute my business un-
assisted" This was severe rebuff. but
| felt that the case demanded all my pow
ers of persuasion, else the child might be
left to starve alone.


"At least" said l "if l cannot per-
suade you, come with me to her home
1t is only few steps, and as | pointed out
the place y; he consented, and as the
poor woman pushed open the rickety door
and displayed to our eyes the low cellar
room, and its contents, the man started
with surprise. The floor was faultlessly
clean, and the room was lighted by two
small windows opening even with the
pavement. and contained no furniture save
at one end of what appeared to be an old
packing-box set up On end to serve for a
table, to hold two or three coverless books
and large Bible The walls were damp
and black with mildew, and no fire though
the day was cold. In one corner least ex-
posed to the wind fom the door and win
dows, stood one of those old fashioned
bed-steads made like a camp.slool, to open
or shut at pleasure, and on this. without
mattress or covering save a thin worn
quilt, lay girl of about sixteen years of
age, dying of consumption, the transpar-
ent skin barely held the large blue eyes
in their sockets, and the spirit looking
out through them from its skeleton prison.
house was struggling painfully for release
She raised her thin hands quickly, and
grasped the bread, eating heartily. 1t
was dcath-hunger. for she soon fell back
exhausted, and fit of coughing came on
and as it ceased, we heard the death rat
tie in her throat, saw the gasp, and,
she ceased to breathe. Meanwhile | had
not noticed the policeman. who stood by
the window, his back towards us, but as
he turned to leave the house, saw a
bright drop fall upon the gilt buttons of
his coat, and then another, as he laid
five pound note on the open Bible, and
stepped into the street. | now for the
FIRST time addressed the woman, and learu-
ed from her, her sad story. She was Ger
man by birth, of good parentage and
well educated; but being left a widow
without means of support she had come
with her only child to America to seek a
living by teaching music. The daughter
was frail, and as she drew on toward
womanhood her strength decreased until
consumption settled upon her, and forced
the mother to quit her employment to at
tend upon her child exposure, fatigue.
and over exertion, brought on parylsis
and the right arm of the mother became
useless. Books. music, and musical in
struments all went for food and rent; and
when no more remained, they had remov-
ed to the cellar to starve in silence. and
alone. Poor woman as she bent above
the remains of the last link which bound
her love to earth. She pressed the life
less head to her bosom, and meekly bowed
her own and murmered, father | thank

thee" All was ended now the hope,
the fear, and the sorrow all the dull
deep pain, and the constant anguish of
patience all was over The bells of
the city were ringing the hour of noon'
as stepped once more into the crowded
street, and swept onward by the surging
mass had small chance to moralize,
but could but say, blessed be death
since it often enters where it is even more
welcome than life! D'' "'''' i'
'i Toronto, Nov. 1868. 31"h "n fo'H',I


CT There is well authenticated sto-
ry, in private circles that few months
ago, when the rebel rams we're about ready
to leave Liverpool and our affairs with
p,,,.,d were most fearful and threaten