Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1840-11-12
Miscellany.
THE ORPHANS.
A SKETCH FROM LIFE.


Moving slowly along Princess street one
day lately, heard the measured tramps of nu-
merous little feet behind me. Turning round,
saw that this sound proceeded from about
an hundred boys and girls belonging to one
of the charitable institutions. twas plea
sing sightto see these children appear happy.
They had the hue Of good health on their
countenances; their dress was plain, but
comfortable and clean; no fantastic, gro
tesquey cut clothes disfigured their little per-
sons, nor did they wear any badge to tell the
world they were the children of misfortune.
] entered into conversation with one of the
teachers, who informed me that they were GO
ing to view the Geological Gardens, and that,
with such prospect before them, they were
quite delighted. The little troop turned up
St. Andrew street, and, as | was going in the
same direction, l moved along in the 'front.',
conversing with one of the boys, the girls be-
ing all behind. Going down st. Andrew
street south, my attention was directed to-
wards two young boys, about Ii years of
age. Each was driving small cart, drawn
by pony. The first boy, when he saw the
children, called out to his young friend who
was little behind him, and at the moment
his eye caught the sight, he leaped from the
cart with spring, crying out "James III see
my sister, HI see my wee sister" He drew
his horse quickly to the side OF the pavement,
and left it alone the instant the girls came to-
wards him. Just as he commenced his anx-
ious search his horse moved OFF, he sprang to
its head and checked its progress, and, in an
instant, he was at the front ranks of the girls,
keenly glancing along the line to discover his
little sister. Being all dressed alike, it was
not easy to distinguish any one in particular
without the strictest search. On they passed,
but his sister came not. Poor boy, thought ],
his kind heart will be doomed to suffer dis
appointment, as his little sister docs not ap-
pear to be amongst them, and, from his sor-
rowful look, he thought 50 too. They are all
passed but two-his face glowed with delight
his sister was one of them; the anxious
boy rushed to her, and grasping one of her
hands in his he placed his other gently on her
neck, and could only say s'Mary" The lit
tie girl, who appeared to be about seven
years of age, looked up, and oh such ecstacy
she was by the side of her brother. She
clasped her little arms around him, and her
sweet face was lighted up with smiles. He
bowed down his head to catch the few hur-
red words she spoke to him, and to let her
hear his little tale. He took his eye from off
her face but once, and only once, and that for
moment, and this was TO see that his pony
was still where he left it. The poor brute
seemed to be sensible of the sacred mission
on which its conductor had gone as it moved
not. lie again bowed down his head to
breathe into the ear of his beloved and loving
sister his ewparting words, for he could not
go any farther; they grasped each others
hands and exchanged looks of tenderness and
the little girl moved on with her companions.
His eyes saw nothing but that one loved OBJ
ject-they followed her along. The children
in front turned down York place, and, before
she was out of her brothers. view, she turn
ed round, and, with d sweet smile, held out
her hand in token of adieu. The boy started
rs her face met his gaze, and moving one step
forwsrd held out both bis handsN;he next
moment she was hid from his sight.
He slowly returned towards his horse, and
whilst tear moistened his eye, and a cast of
melancholy shaded his countenance, there