Star Dollars

Once upon a time there was a little Girl whose father and mother were dead; and she became so poor that she had no roof to shelter herself under, and no bed to sleep in; and at last she had nothing left but the clothes on her back, and a loaf of bread in her hand, which a compassionate body had given to her. But she was a good and pious little Girl, and when she found herself forsaken by all the world, she went out into the fields trusting on God. Soon she met a poor Man, who said to her, “Give me something to eat, for I am so hungry.” She handed him the whole loaf; and, with a “God bless you!” walked on further. Next she met a little Girl crying very much, who said to her, “Pray give me something to cover my head with, for it is so cold!” So she took off her own bonnet, and gave it away. And in a little while she met another Child who had no cloak, and to her she gave her own cloak. Then she met another who had no dress on, and to this one she gave her own frock. By that time it was growing dark, and our little Girl entered a forest; and presently she met a fourth Maiden, who begged something, and to her she gave her petticoat; for, thought our heroine, “It is growing dark, and nobody will see me, I can give away this.” And now she had scarcely anything left to cover herself; and just then some of the stars fell down in the form of silver dollars, and among them she found a petticoat of the finest linen! and in that she collected the star-money, which made her rich all the rest of her lifetime!