Yes , I owe to that kind soul and her little story , the turn that Fortune gave her wheel . Nay , rather say , the touch of nature that makes the whole world kin . For when I went home that day , I sat down and made a simple tale from the hint she gave , and something of her own humor and pathos must have got into it , for it was accepted , and more stories solicited , to my great surprise . `` I wrote it to please myself , for I was in a happy mood ; and though my room was cold , the sun shone ; though my closet was bare , honest money was in my pocket , and I felt as rich as a king . `` I remember I laughed at myself as I posted the manuscript on Monday morning , called it infatuation , and thought no more of it for days , being busy with my new friend , the shovel . `` Snow was gone , but coal remained , and I put in tons of it with a will , for this active labor was the tonic my overwrought nerves needed , and my spirits rose wonderfully , as muscles earned the daily bread that brains had failed to win . `` Ah ! but they brought me something better than bread , dearer than fame ; and to that old shovel I owe the happiness of my life ! The very day I got the letter accepting the little story , I was gaily putting in my last ton of coal , for I felt that now I might take up the pen again , since in a kitchen I had discovered the magic that wins listeners . `` Bless my heart ! how I worked and how I whistled , I was so happy , and felt so lifted above all doubt and fear by the knowledge that my talent was not a failure , and the fact that my own strong arms could keep the wolf from the door ! `` I was so busy that I had not observed a lady watching me from the window . She had opened it to feed the hungry sparrows , and my whistle caught her ear , for it was an air she knew , and had heard a certain young man sing before he dropped out of her circle , and left her wondering sadly what had befallen him . `` All this I learned afterward ; then I unconsciously piped away till my job was done , wiped my hot face , and went in to get my money . To my surprise I was told to ` go into the dining room , and missis would attend to it . ' `` I went and found myself face to face , not with ` missis , ' but the woman I had loved hopelessly but faithfully all that hard year , since I had gone away to fight my battle alone . `` For a moment I believed she did not know me , in my shabby suit and besmirched face . But she did , and with a world of feeling in her own sweet face , she offered me , not money , but her hand , saying in a voice that made my heart leap up , -- '' ` Richard , I was afraid you had gone down as so many disappointed young men go when their ambitious hopes fail ; but I am so glad , so proud to see in your face that you still work and wait , like a brave and honest man . I must speak to you ! ' `` What could I do after that but hold the white hand fast in both my grimy ones , while I told my little story , and the hope that had come at last .
Heaven knows I told it very badly , for those tender eyes were upon me all the time , so full of unspoken love and pity , admiration and respect , that I XXXXX like one in a glorified dream , and forgot I was a coal-heaver .
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