The LIttle Match Girl.

The LIttle Match Girl.
490.4

“Come in. little stranger.” I said.
As she tapped at niy half open door;
With a blanket pinned over her head.
Which reached to the basket she bore.

A look full of innocence fell
From her modest and pretty blue eye,
As she said. “I have matches to sell,
And hope you are willing to buy.”

“A penns a bunch is the price,
I hope you’ll not think it too much:
They’re tied up so even and nice.
And ready to light with a touch.”

I asked, “What’s your name, little girl?”
“Tis Mary.” she said. “Mary Dow.”
And carelessly tossed off a curl
That played o’er her lovely brow.

“My father was lost in the deep:
The ship never came to the shore.
And mother is nadard will wrap
When she hears the wind blow and sea roar.”

“She sits there at home, without food.
Beside her poor, sick Willie’s bed.
She paid all her money for wood.
And so I sell matches for bread.

“And now every time that she tries
Soine work to do to be paid.
And lays down the baby.
It cries And that makes my sick brother wake,

“She would go to the yard to get chips,
But then it would make her so sad
To see men there building their ships,
And think they had made one so bad.

“I’ve one other gown, and with care
I think it will decently pass:
My bonnet, that’s put by to wear
To meeting and Sunday school class.

“I love to go there, where I’m taught
Of one who’s so wise and so good:
He knows every action and thought,
And gives even the raven his food.

“And now. If I only can sell
The matches I’ve brought out today
I think I shall do very well.
And mother will rejoice at the pay,”

Fly home, little bird, then, I thought,
Ely home full of Joy to your nest:
For I took all the matches she brought.
And Mary can tell you the rest.