The Port-Gibson correspondent., 1845-02-05

however, might have been seen, wrapped
in thick oNercoat, urging his way a.
galnst the tempest, by the light of the
dim lamps. Suddenly as he passed a
ruinous tenement, the figure Of girl
started up before him.
"PIease, SIR" she SAID, ''if lis only a
penny mother is sick, and we have eat
nothing 10 day."
The first impulse Of the moment was
TO 60 on; the second 10 stop. He looked
at the girl. Her face was thin and pale
land her garments scanty. He was q
man or good impulses, So he put his hand
towards his pocket, intending TO give her
Ia shilling. She saw the act and her
IlustreIess eyes frightened. Bat The trav-
eller had forgot that his oyercoat button
ed tightly over his pocket.
'.li is TOO much trouble,n he said 10
/ himself, ''and this wind is cutting. Be.
sides these beggars are usually cheats
/ I'lI warrant this girl wants the money
10 spend in Gin shop And speaking
aloud somewhat harshy, he said 81 have
nothing FOR you; il you are really desi,
tute, the guardians Of tie poor will lake
care Of you.''
The girl shrnnk back without a word,
and threw her tattered garments around
her form But a tear glisened on her
cheek in the light Of the dim lamp.
The man passed on, aud turning the
next corner soon knocked at the door Of
a splendid mansion through whose rich
lily curtaned windows rosy light
streamed ont across the entrance. Al
the sound Of his footsteps the parlor door
was opened. and beautiful girl, appa-
renlly about seventeen, sprang into his
arms, kissed him on the cheek, and then
began TO assist him in removing his over
coat.
.,lVhat kept you SO long, dear papa?"
said she, 'sil had known where you
: we're would have sept the carriage.-
You never stay 50 late al the ofiice.n
mo, my love; was al my lawyers !;
busy, very busy, and all for you,n and
: he kindly patted her cheek. "But now,
Maggy, cant you give me some supper.
The daughter rang The bell aud Or
dercd lie supper 10 be served II was
such an one as an epirure would delight
il, just the support for traveller on a
nlght like that.
"Pa." said the daughter, when it was
, liaished = hope you are in a good hu-
, NOR, Tor have favor 10 ask OF yous
and she threw ner arms around his sneck
and looked up in his face with that win
ming smile and those beautiful dark eyes
OF hers Il wish to give ball on my birth
day. Ii will cost, oh! sight Of money
but you are kind, good papa, and
! know you have been successful, or you
! would not have been at your lawyers. :
:, Yes, ny darling" he said, londly
kissing her, the cotton speeuIaIions have
turned out we'll. | sold all had Of the
J article this afternoon, received the mo.
ney and took il to my lawyers, telling
him % nves: il 10 real estate. | think
shall give up the business"
! "Oh! do, do, papa. But you will give
i me this ball, won't you?'
d you little tease said the father, bu
he spoke smilingIy, and putting his hand
!" in his pocket hook, he took out a note o.
e five hundred dollars and put it in III.
: child hand. ''fake this-If il is no
!. enough you must have another, ! sup,
y pose. But don't trouble me about it any
! more
u The next morning broke clear, but the
i snow was d foot deep, and here and there
lay in huge drifts, blocking up the doo
le ways. AT ten O'Clock the rich merchan
was On his wsy to his counting room
ri lie turned down the same streetup which
Il lie had come the preceding evening.
if crowd had gathered around an open Gel
n lar door Of ruined tenement. The mer
chant paused 10 enquire what was TIT
matter.
"a woman, sir, has been found deat
: below there" said one ofthe spectators
= .'she starved 10 death, il IS said, and the,
= have sent for the coroner. Her daugh
= = Ter has just come back, after being on
. = all night. believe she was begging
:, That's her moaning"
II "Ah!" said the merchant, and pan
!. =. went through his heart like an ice Dol
~ for he remembered having denied pc
= tilioner the night before. He pushe
z through the crowd and descended tn
= = cellar steps. A girl covered over a
- :, omaciated corpse. that lay on a heap (
straw in one corner Of the damp aparr
ment. It was the same girl he had leare
al it would prove. The merchant was hor
IT'S ror struck.
%, "My poor child!' he cried, laying h
nd hand on her shoulder, you must be care
nv ror-God forgive me for denying yo
ls- last night. Here-take this"-and /
he put bill into her hand.
re The girl looked up and gazed vacantl
tn. at him. Then she put back the pro
as fered money.
ng "It will do no good now," she sal
in t'mother is dead,n and she burst iHto hy
Iv ,arin ,aars