`` For a while she worked bravely , but the poor three dollars a week would not clothe and feed and warm her , though the things her busy fingers made sold for enough to keep her comfortably if she had received it . I saw the pretty color fade from her cheeks ; her eyes grew hollow , her voice lost its cheery ring , her step its elasticity , and her face began to wear the haggard , anxious look that made its youth doubly pathetic . Her poor little gowns grew shabby , her shawl so thin she shivered when the pitiless wind smote her , and her feet were almost bare . Rain and snow beat on the patient little figure going to and fro , each morning with hope and courage faintly shining , each evening with the shadow of despair gathering darker round her . It was a hard time for all , desperately hard for her , and in her poverty , sin and pleasure tempted her . She resisted , but as another bitter winter came she feared that in her misery she might yield , for body and soul were weakened now by the long struggle . She knew not where to turn for help ; there seemed to be no place for her at any safe and happy fireside ; life 's hard aspect daunted her , and she turned to death , saying confidingly , ` Take me while I 'm innocent and not afraid to go . ' `` I saw it all ! I saw how she sold everything that would bring money and paid her little debts to the utmost penny ; how she set her poor room in order for the last time ; how she tenderly bade the doves good-by , and lay down on her bed to die . At nine o'clock last night as my bell rang over the city , I tried to tell what was going on in the garret where the light was dying out so fast . I cried to them with all my strength . -- '' ` Kind souls , below there ! a fellow-creature is perishing for lack of charity ! Oh , help her before it is too late ! Mothers , with little daughters on your knees , stretch out your hands and take her in ! Happy women , in the safe shelter of home , think of her desolation ! Rich men , who grind the faces of the poor , remember that this soul will one day be required of you ! Dear Lord , let not this little sparrow fall to the ground ! Help , Christian men and women , in the name of Him whose birthday blessed the world ! ' `` Ah me !
I XXXXX , and clashed , and cried in vain .
Take came cried fade going rang required seemed tempted think