Children’s Short Works, Vol. 010

Description

“AN ANGEL OF MERCY” by James Baldwin



I. A PLUCKY GIRL

ONE afternoon, many years ago, there was a timid knock at the door of an old-fashioned house in Boston. The knock was answered by the mistress herself, a gray-haired, stern-faced woman of sixty, who lived there all alone. She opened the door softly, her lips ready to say “No” to any expected beggar or other person who might ask her for help.

But when she saw who was there, she started with surprise, and her face for a moment forgot to wear its accustomed look of severity.

“Why, Dorothy Dix!” she cried. “Where in the world did you come from?” Her tones, in spite of herself, were more kind than harsh.

The child who stood on the doorstep was scarcely twelve years of age-a mere slip of a girl, slender and pale. She was very poorly dressed. On her head was a little calico sun- bonnet, faded and worn. On her feet were shoes so poor and ragged that they seemed really worse than none. She was covered with dust; she looked very tired and hot.

“Where in the world did you come from?” repeated the old lady, as she drew the child into the house and shut the door.

“Please, grandmother,” was the answer, “I have run away from home, and I have come to tell you about it.”

“Ran away from home, eh?” said the grandmother, taking off the child’s bonnet. “Well, I declare, that is a pretty tale to bring me. Come, sit down and tell me about it.”


[amz_corss_sell asin=”1776744527″]