{"character_count": 4461, "word_count": 822, "ccnet_language_score": [0.9781000018119812], "ccnet_perplexity": [1833.0], "fasttext_language": ["en"]}

ing the late festive season, when those who thought at
ALL reflected that, eighteen hundred and for,y-hree
years ago. the religion of the heart, bringing peace
and goodwill earth, came to soften the rigor of the
religion of form, little girl. not years DID, had
been observed by lonely lady, sitting day af,er day
the sep of door opposite to her house 1t seem
ed to belong nobody but a certain hour, there
was, wrapped In an old shawl, crouched on the cold
sone and rocking itself pcnsvely backwards and for
wards, more like ailing old woman than child
Other children PLAYED around it, but this melancholy
little being mingled i'll their sports, but sat silent
and solitary.


Soon after 1t 10 peep about the Of the
ladv's house, and look wstfulv at the kitchen win
dows. The lady, who kind to children thinking
that the little girl might be trying to attract her
tice, opened the door suddenly, and offered it
gingerbread. When the door opened. there a
strange eager expression in the child's eyes; but
when she saw the lady she looked scared and di sap
pointed The kind voice and manner soon reassured
the startled child who thankfully took the offering.
broke up into little bits in her hand, and carried
to the door step opposite where she again took up her
station Another child seeing the gingerbread
up to the solitary infant, who gave the
conner some. and, by gestures, the lady that she
was informing The other child whence the gift came
After waiting considerable time without eating her
gingerbread the poor little grl rose delectedy and
went away. still looking back u the house


\ day or two afterwards, the same child was seen
lingering about the pavemen near the area and holding
bit of sugar candy in its Tiny fingers through the
rails.


The lady, who thought that the child to
offer ont of gratitude for the gingerbread, went down
into the area; and as as she appeared the child
away. Soon again. however. the child at its
old station, the door-stcps opposite. The lady had
mentioned this 10 her only female servant as very odd
but received no observation In reply.


One morning the dor wa, opened to receive n
piece Of furniture and the s1mc child again suddenly
baIv dS.o l- Il tbo IL,
the lady. who was near. said. :" lee you when
the child immediately rctrcated to her doorstep


" This l. very extraordinary, sand the lady 10 her
servant; cannot make out what that child wants" !"


4" Madam slid the servant, bursting into tears,
=" it is mn child


Your child. But 60 bring her in. Where does
she live :"


with my sister. and she goes TO school I have
told her never here; but the po,r thing ,riR
come every bit of playtme she gels That day YOU
thought she Offering YOU some sugar candv. | had
been 10 the school and given her penny when sho
over. she 10 give bit of tie sugar can
dy she had bought. Oh ma'an, have mercy-!o-g.vc
me. DO not send me awav, :"


The lady. who had known aGvcrSitv and was no.
of those rirdly righteous people who forget the
first PRINCIPLES ncucul ated BY the divine Autnor Of
inc Christina creed looked grave, il Is true. but d
not shrink from the lowv sinner as if she had the
plague. although she had become a mother bcor she
had been made wife. by the gay cavalier WHO had
deceived and forsaken her Nor aid she turn her out
upn the wide world, in the vrtuous s,rnnrSs of her
indignltion To the great horror Of some of her
ncghbor, she told her servant that the child mirh,
come to her every Sundiv. beginning with the
next When the ch Il, who was no longer the mop
ING creature wh ca II had been before II was admit.
ted 10 the mother. heard this. she Immediately and
iously inquired. How many days and nights Is It to
Sunday -


Some may sncer at this II me there is something
painfully affecting In the quiet. subducd demennor OF
tnis offspring of shame, mldly watching TO obtain
glimpse of her who had borne ~ at age when ha
pier children are never without those creates, Of
loyments, the carresses of mother. Think Of the
misery Of this poor child driven from the mere in
tinct of longing for Its parent To the >tad demeanor
Of age. whilst the other merry little ones were sport.
ing around it. Think what she must have suffered
she cazed. day after day. at the rownng door that
shut out than all the worlds value 70 her
Tank Of the suffering mother, dreadng lose, with
her place and character the means If supporting hcr
hapess. prcmaturely old infant. On nan. man. thou
hast much to answer for