Little Pollie / Or a Bunch of Violets

lowers are a long time in season, bearing bravely the March winds and April showers, as though des

to her the while; girls on their way to the city workrooms gladly spent a hard-earned penny for violets, and worked more cheerfully afterwards, gladdened by the mere remembrance of Pollie's grateful thanks. A sturdy policeman, too, whose beat was at that place, and where he seemed to hold stern sway over all the omnibus and cab drivers, took her, as it were, under his lo

u, my lit

nce dead) had rambled through the green lanes of his native village, searching for sweet violets, and this memory cheered the poor tired policeman, made him forget the ceaseless din around and the never-ending wilderness of bricks. Even the London sparrows looked less dingy, and the sunbeams falling across the dusty pavemen

t the child in case she needed protection. But Sally's movements were inclined to be erratic; she dashed in and out among all sorts of vehicles in search of

ther, whose kind heart was touched by the account the child gave of their friendless young neighbour; so she sought her out, and finding how good she was, and how bravely she struggled to earn her daily bread honestjly, gradually won her confidence; so that now Lizzie felt she was not quite alone in this wide wide world. There was a kind motherly l

more extensive, her ally, Sally, having persuaded her to sell flowers in the evening also; and as her mother and Mrs. Flanagan had offered no objection to thi

from sheer gladness thinking also of the dear face upstairs that would brighten up to welcome her, as it ever did,

id; "yer mother has gone to help Lizzie Ste

nagan is in her roo

or I see'd her go out to the market; I kno

just let myself in, and wait for mother; I know

n she felt the little cripple boy g

d biding with me and telling me about the kingdom of heaven, and that good

us sit on this lowest stair; I don't think many people will be

hild would use she told him that sweet story of old-of our Saviour, a babe in the manger of Bethlehem-His loving tenderness to us-of His death upon the

eautiful land?" asked the awe-

even you,"

dirty and u

makes nothing ugly," replied

n heaven, and never feel pain any more. O Poll

ly. She knew what a wretched life was his, and could not wonder at what he sai

anion had been silently gazing up at the only piece of sky that was visible in that narrow court, as though trying

prayer?"

did her best to make it easy to his benighted

to God," she sai

to the likes of me

o Him with your whole

, as though musing up

treated in hushed tones,

s fold-alike and yet so unlike; and the poor outcast cripple, following the actions of the little girl, meekly folded his ha

d! lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep

s after she had ceased to speak; then in silence the

and the peace of God was resting on those little ones. By degrees a calm had fallen upon the poor boy's soul. Never, neve

esus'

fast asleep, with the star-light

the kingdo