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It was in January 1841, and
in the ancient city of Antwerp. The beautiful streets were almost
deserted, the cold was so intense; but my story leads me into a dark and
narrow lane, and a poor room, in which it was as cold as out of doors. In
this wretched abode, a thinly-clad young woman sat weeping by the bedside
of a child, which looked as if it was soon to be laid in a bed where cold
and hunger are felt no more. Hear the stove, in which, however, no wood
was burning, stood a little boy of about six years, asking for bread. His
mother gave no reply, but, after a while, the request was repeated —"Do,
mother, give me something, if it be ever so little; I cannot endure the
hunger." And the mother gave him a small piece of bread, and said—"I
wanted it for your little sister; but I fear she will not require it any
more." Little Hansel seized it eagerly, but returned half of it for the
sick child. Soon afterwards, the father of the family entered, deep sorrow
and disappointment on his wan countenance. "We are very unhappy, Theresa,"
said he to his wife; "I have stood the whole day at the train with my
wheelbarrow, and have not earned a farthing." Little Hansel asked—"Have
you brought me nothing to eat?" But the father's face was so stern, that
the child was afraid, and said—"I won't ask again." When the father looked
at the sick child, his soul was overwhelmed with distress and anguish.
"Nothing remains for me," he exclaimed, at last, "but to sell my
wheelbarrow."
It is the custom in
Antwerp, that every Friday a kind of auction is held in the market-place,
to which people bring whatever they have to sell. The poor man brought his
wheelbarrow, and waited till his turn came. How, it so happened, that two
rich young ladies were just then passing that way, and, being struck with
the sad expression of the man's countenance, stood beside him, and heard
him telling his story to a neighbour. After consulting with each other
they bought the wheelbarrow for twenty-seven francs, to the great
astonishment and amusement of the bystanders. They paid immediately, and
asked him to take it home for them. He requested them to allow him to go
first to his house, and after hearing where it was, they said that they
could go that way. On their road there they bought potatoes, bread, rice,
and wood. It was all put on the wheelbarrow, and soon they were before the
poor man's door. They followed him into his room, and what a scene
presented itself to their view! The woman lay fainting on the floor, and
the little boy was crying bitterly. Wine was soon procured, a fire lit,
and little Hansel's hunger appeased. They now told the poor man, that the
wheelbarrow and all its contents were his, and that they would in future
help him and give him employment. After having promised to send a doctor
to see the child, they took their leave. The poor parents could scarcely
believe in their deliverance; they were unable to utter a single word of
gratitude,—and the ladies also were silent for a long time on their way
home. At last one of them said—"There can be no greater blessedness on
earth, than to be sent by God to relieve the poor in their distress." From
that time they devoted themselves to the poor, visiting from house to
house in the most destitute streets, and bringing help and consolation to
the needy. |
