Aunt Jo's Scrap-Bag, Vol. 5

ling snow," I saw him smile,-a thoughtful yet a very hap

you see o

e stare in surprise, as I joined him

ughly puzzled, I turned to Richard, demanding a

n, I'll tell you a little adventure of

od at the window of a fireless, shabby little room, with

ing, 'What shall I do?' and, receiving no reply but that wh

worked and hoped, with a brave spirit; had written my life into poems and tales; tried a play; turned critic and reviewed books; offered my pen an

one after another, leaving me to despair. The last wreck lay on my table then,-a novel,

and hungry, solitary and despairing,

nd there is no room in the world for me, s

vel on his shoulder, and trudged away, whistling shrilly, to l

brains, starving because no one will give me a chance; and there i

ed to answer

rains don't pay, try muscles, and

declare to you I was as much struck by the new idea as if a

ot give up while there is any ho

rough comforter, as disguise, and stole down to the shed where I had seen a shovel. It was early, and the ho

n a frolic. It was bitter cold, and a heavy snow-storm had raged all night. The streets were full of drifts, and the ci

which of the tall houses to apply first, when the door of

d with a few unavailing strokes of her broom at the drift

imperious wave of her duster to the shabby man opposite.

nd sweep 'em nice, for our folks a

avier tool than a pen, were soon blistered; but I tugged away, and presently found myself much stimulated by the critical and approving glances bestowed

hing tickled me immensely, and I laughed behind my old tippet, as I shov

d pay, the maid said, with condescension, as she glanced coquettishly

I run up, and get the mo

t's kilt wid the could he is,' said the buxom cook; adding, in a motherly tone, '

' I answered, with a fine brogue, for as a

nce, and, filling a mug with cof

hat's just fore-ninst us, the master won't begrudge ye a breakfast; so take a biscu

good luck and a long life to ye I'

as two pays,' cried the cook, regarding me with increasing favor, as I bolted the

g in a few picturesque words, as only an Irishwoman could do it, how Pat had come to 'Ameriky' first when things

her at last. How the saints had an eye on him, and one happy day answered her prayers in a way that she considered 'aquil to any merrycle ever seen.' For, lookin

like an angel flyin', and the way he tuk me in his arms, never mindin' his illigint

ere shining on her fat cheeks, and Mary appeared with a d

n', and many thanks, and the compl

le hostess, I took heart, and worked away at my next job with redoubled energy, and by the time the first bells rang for church, I had three do

tune again, and hurrying home, I dressed and went to church, feelin

prayer, and psalm cheered the hearts of all. But the shabby young man in the back seat found such beauty

happy present, for he was a prosperous man now, with an honored name, a comfortable

could not re

on shovell

need of it, thanks to Pat's

ll the story, for I

h of nature that makes the whole world kin. For when I went home that day, I sat down and made a simple tale from the hint she gave,

hough my room was cold, the sun shone; though my closet was ba

on Monday morning, called it infatuation, and thought no mo

is active labor was the tonic my overwrought nerves needed, and my spirits ros

of my life! The very day I got the letter accepting the little story, I was gaily putting in my last ton of coal, f

lifted above all doubt and fear by the knowledge that my talent was not a fa

he hungry sparrows, and my whistle caught her ear, for it was an air she knew, and had heard a certain

b was done, wiped my hot face, and went in to get my money. To my surpris

ut the woman I had loved hopelessly but faithfully all that

face. But she did, and with a world of feeling in her own sweet face, she off

when their ambitious hopes fail; but I am so glad, so proud to see in your face

e that had come at last. Heaven knows I told it very badly, for those tender eyes were upon me all the time, so full of u

Kate it was with clean hands, that carried her, as a first love-token

eautifully, for the sound of little feet ap

has come! May we go an

have to earn your breakfast," answered Dick, as three fine

nherit from their father," he added, with a twinkle of th

the hand he stretched out to her, and holding it i

ct for honest work, but the genius that can see and pai