The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1838-03-23
.WISCELL.f.l'EOTS.
From the GentIeman's Masasine.

BY CHARLES T. ILSLEY, PORTLAND, MAINE.
CRATER Ill.
Ii wes a cold clustering evening in No
vember. A raging north easterly storm
had prevailed through the day, aud as night
shut H. the wind and sleei swept sullenly
through the streets, and drearily against the
buildings. The shops were nearly all clos
ed. The lamps shed din and Pickering
high, 90 the slippery pavement, over which,
occasionally, some passenger bending to the
blast, would hurry on hls way. On this
evening, emerging from narrow, dreary.
looking street, young female was seen,
struggling along IN evident haste. Turn.
ing the corner, and passing TIVE or three
blocks, she assembled the steps Of large
house, before whose door an expiring lamp
threw gu, few faint CLEANS. After hest.
tating a moment, as if to recover herself,
she rang the bell. The door was shortly
opened by a young man who hastily inquIr.
ed her wants.
Does Doctor Herbert reside here :" was
asked, in timid irreseute voice.
"My name IS Herbert" was the reply,
in tone that evidently showed that the
speaker was not altogether pleased with the
call.
"Can you not visit lady-a poor wo-
man." correcting herself" Who IS danger.
ously Ill !"
Will net to. morrow do 7" and the young
man drew back, casting a significant glance
at the driving sleet, as ne partly closed The
door, will not TO morrow do II have al
engage"
" For the love Of God, sir, do not refuse
me Y interrupted the female, in trembling
and beseeching voice Ny mother is sick
very sicE~-lhe distance IS short-you
shall be paid Y
"Canno. YOU find some one else, Miss Y
said the physician IN more yielding tone.
"Oh, no, sir have beeD refused by
tive others. Ny poor mother | fear Is dy-
lag. On, sir, lfyou have mother YOU viii
90 With me-if YOU have not, by her mem.
DRY charge you 10, to slight the orphans
prayer. Add the speaker turned her face
full upon the young mau. IL was very pale,
but strikingly beautiful.
Whether the affecting appeal or the love-
" counienance influenced he young physl-
clan, It matters not but be hesiiated 40 Ioug.
er. Hastily throwing on a cloak, he follow.
ed the female. Although she said the dis
lance was not great, yet to the young man
il seemed intermInable. After following
her through two or three obscure streets,
and as they were pIunging down an un
lighted and dismal. looking alley, he inquired
If they had much farther to go.
ssThis is the house, sir, said the female,
stopping before mean and shattered tene.
ment, whose crazy frame could hardly with.
stand the heavy gusts that swept over il.
{" Take care Of the broken STEP SIR !"
W.th this caution he picked bis way into
the low entry, and followed bis conductress
up pair of creakng stairs, prepared TO
witness a scene Of squalid wretchedness.
A door was opened, and he was introduced
TO diIny lighted room. He started on
his entrance. The signs Of poverty he
surely beheld bsi II was not the poverty Of
crime and IHt-mperance-the disgusting
and revolving exhibition he expected to en-.
counter. There was no appearance Of dis.
order--1o unpleasant odor-no filthy floor
and dirty sack Of straw for bed--loo com.
mnnls found Ia the abodes OF want. He
gazed about him IN astonisbment. The
scauty furniture was plain AID of the cheap
est kind hot every tblug was neat and well
arranged. A small tal!ov candle gave
light 10 the room. There was the white
pine table, covered with a clean cloth, on
which rested bible; the rush bouoned
chairs-tbree 10 number; the well secured
floor, and the neat bed-s,raw 10 be sure
but covered with spotess white though coarse
sheets, and a PLAIN Counterpart. A few
smoking efnbers burnt on the hearth. The
physician had but moment 10 view the
unexpected appearance Of the room, as the
girl threw off her bonnie, and cloak, and
kaelt BY the bedside, displaying IN the act !