The King's Talisman — page 20: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE KINGS TALISMAN. 11 morning I knew not how I should pass the day. I felt that it was to be a day of pleasure, but, alas, I could think of no new pleasure within my reach. Every day beneath the roof of my father brings with it all that can make life pleasant. While I stood upon the corner of the market-place, my at- tention was arrested by the appearance of an old woman, who stood gazing with an almost tearful eye upon a piece of coarse meat which a butcher's dog was devouring. The whole expression of her countenance seemed to be concen- trated into the one desire for that piece of meat. Curiosity led me to approach her, and laying my hand upon her arm, I asked her what she desired. For a moment she gazed into my face with a kind of vacant stare, and then, more to herself than to me, she murmured: ‘‘ Food, food; food for my sick husband and my little ones!” ‘<«T asked no more questions, but immediately changing one of my pieces of gold, I bought meat, and bread, and a jar of milk, a bottle of wine, and a rush basket in which to carry them. It was some time ere I could make the woman comprehend that these articles were for her; but when she did understand it, she poured forth her thanks, and lifted the basket to depart; but it proved too heavy for her, and I offered to carry it home for her. She joyfully accepted my offer, and as I placed the basket upon my arm, she led the way to the outskirts of the city where she entered a small house which, though humble in the extreme, was still neat and clean, and the interior, though giving place to the most meager furniture, was in a tidy and cleanly condition. Ina single room were three small children and her sick husband. I soon heard the story of their sufferings, and I know that I heard the truth. My heart waxed warm with joy as I saw the husband and father rise up in his bed, and grasp the food and drink which had thus been sent him; and when those little children gathered around with their grate- ful looks, I could not repress the tear of gladness that started Eomichbooks: co