How grieved I was to have that pleasant friendship end so sadly , for I had planned many small surprises for my girl , and now I could do no more , could never know all about her , never see the sunny face again , or win another word from lips that seemed made for smiling . Only a little school-girl , yet how many friends she seemed to have , making them unconsciously by her gentle manners , generous actions , and innocent light-heartedness . I could not bear to think what home must be without her , for I am sure I was right in believing her a good , sweet child , because real character shows itself in little things , and the heart that always keeps in tune makes its music heard everywhere . The busy man of the horse-car found time to miss her , the schoolmates evidently mourned their queen , for when I met them they walked quietly , talked low , and several wore black bows upon the sleeve ; while I , although I never knew her name , or learned a single fact about her , felt the sweetness of her happy nature , and have not yet forgotten my little school-girl . X . WHAT A SHOVEL DID . As my friend stood by the window , watching the `` soft falling snow , '' I saw him smile , -- a thoughtful yet a very happy smile , and , anxious to know what brought it , I asked , -- `` What do you see out there ? '' `` Myself , '' was the answer that made me stare in surprise , as I joined him and looked curiously into the street . All I saw was a man shovelling snow ; and , thoroughly puzzled , I turned to Richard , demanding an explanation . He laughed , and answered readily , -- `` While we wait for Kate and the children , I 'll tell you a little adventure of mine . It may be useful to you some day . `` Fifteen years ago , on a Sunday morning like this , I stood at the window of a fireless , shabby little room , without one cent in my pocket , and no prospect of getting one . `` I had gone supperless to bed , and spent the long night asking , ` What shall I do ? ' and , receiving no reply but that which is so hard for eager youth to accept , ` Wait and trust . ' `` I was alone in the world , with no fortune but my own talent , and even that I was beginning to doubt , because it brought no money . For a year I had worked and hoped , with a brave spirit ; had written my life into poems and tales ; tried a play ; turned critic and reviewed books ; offered my pen and time to any one who would employ them , and now was ready for the hardest literary work , and the poorest pay , for starvation stared me in the face . `` All my ventures failed , and my paper boats freighted with so many high hopes , went down one after another , leaving me to despair . The last wreck lay on my table then , -- a novel , worn with much journeying to and fro , on which I had staked my last chance , and lost it . `` As I stood there at my window , cold and hungry , solitary and despairing , I said to myself , in a desperate mood , -- '' ` It is all a mistake ; I have no talent , and there is no room in the world for me , so the quicker I get out of it the better . ' `` Just then a little chap came from a gate opposite , with a shovel on his shoulder , and trudged away , whistling shrilly , to look for a job .
I watched him out of sight , thinking bitterly , -- '' ` Now XXXXX at the injustice of it !
Wait asking falling get grieved joined look puzzled saw tell