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 felt like one in a glorified dream , and forgot I was a coal-heaver . `` That was the last of it , though , and the next time I came to see my Kate it was with clean hands , that carried her , as a first love-token , the little tale which was the foundation-stone of this happy home . '' He stopped there , and his face brightened beautifully , for the sound of little feet approached , and childish voices cried eagerly , -- `` Papa ! papa ! the snow has come ! May we go and shovel off the steps ? '' `` Yes , my lads , and mind you do it well ; for some day you may have to earn your breakfast , '' answered Dick , as three fine boys came prancing in , full of delight at the first snow-fall .
`` These fellows have a passion for shovelling which they inherit from their father , '' he added , with a twinkle of the eye that told Mrs. XXXXX what we had been talking about .
Dick Kate Richard coal-heaver day left love-token snow-fall sparrows year