Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1848-05-26
VOLUME II--NUMBER 80.

"May 60 with you moiher!" he SAID, but
toning the scant jacket round his finely mould
ed person, and taking ealhem cap from the
floor, he stood ready to go forth.
81 will Try again." muuered the unfortunate
woman; Eyes, Joseph, We will 60 once more TO
Mrs. Henry's. 1t is but ten cents, and she may
have forgotten il; but even then it is nothing to
her, everything to US; we will try, surely we
cannot slarve, boy, starye when food lies before
us in such quantities" As she spoke the WON.
an lifted her finger and pointed to bakers shop
across the way, where the windows were Just
lighted, and loaves Of bread lay heaped on the
counter beyond.
This conversation had led the Suffering pair
into the street, and they walked forward lacing
the wind and the driving snow with desperate
energy.
"Mother," said the lad, as the two paused be-
fore the high granite steps Of proud dwelling
in Broad street. "Wil ten cents be enough to
buy the pigs feet and fire TO cook lhem"
"Do not begin TO think Of it," said the widow
II have been here again and again, but could
never see the lady: it may be so nov: try and
think Of something beside food, my boy, for |
have liule hopes Of any to- night"
81 would think of something else if it were
not for you, mother. can dc without eating a
long time, but"
The widow quietly wiped the tears from her
eyes, and descending into the area of that prince
ly dwelling, knocked at the door. The steps
above sheltered her from the cutting wind, and
she waited long and patiently.
A pampered cook, who sat comforting her
crimson face before the kitchen fire, heard the
knock, and after few minutes deliberation, a.
rose to answer it, muuering sullenly al this call
10 perform duties out Of her place, as she went
through the lower hall. She opened the door,
"a gust Of wind came through and put out her
lamp, but not till she had seenthe poverty-strick-
en- creatures standing there.
ave have nothing for you," she exclaimed,
setting down the lamp, and using both large
hands to force the door against the wind "no
cold victuals for beggars-such night as this
you ought to know better than TO come when
The snow drifts into gentIeman's hall in this
way" and taking up her lamp, the overfed cook
made her way TO the well heated kitchen range,
and sat down 10 regale herself on the best part
of canvass back duck which she had put away
for her own benefit between two plates with
cranberry sauce, before she sent up her masters
dinner.
The widow turned TO her son, his hand was
clasped in hers, and the look of mute despair
which lay upon his young face was fully reveal
ed by street lamp that stood close by; she did
not know that her own thin features were still
more faded and ghastly.
"What shall we do! She would not even
hear what we had to say"
"Let us 90 to the front door," said the boy;
"ring the bell, and ask for Mrs. Henry. You
are Iady as we'll as she is"
1t was bitter and sad smile which fitted a.
cross the trembling lips Of the widow.
81 apas lady," she said, "a proud one-but
not now, not under these garments, want and
hunger crush our feelings so-come, boy, come.
Why should we not go in at the front door!'-
The two passed hurredIy up from the area and
stood upon the pavement.
"How warm it looks" said the boy, pointing
to the drawing-room windows, where the light
from chandelier came streaming, like flood
of wine, through the crimson curtains that fell
in vouminous folds over them.
The mother made no reply, but graspng his
hand tighter, led him up the steps. She rang
the bell loudly and with energy. Her eyes had
been Knocked with uxuries once familiar; she
was starving, she and her first born, and fell
wronged, as if the inmates of that house were
insulting her destitution.
: It was indeed a scene of luxurious splendor
that spacious drawing.room-beds Of glowing
anthracite flashed in CRATES Of glitterlng stee
3 and silver. The crystal pendants on the chan
delier took rainbow tnge from the wax lights
d that burned among them. Rare pictures hung
9 in gittering frames on the walls soft, glowing
light fell upon them, and swept all around oil
= tho A.xuo ha ell lknn
. tables of rich mosaic. There was but one per
i son in the room--a young girl Of magnificent
= beauty and queenly presence. A harp stood be
5 fore her, and as she stopped to draw forth mus
: from its strings, the muslin draPery which sha
i ded her arms fell loosely; her thick, black hal
caught the light, and the color on her rounC
i cheek grew deep and rich as warm sunset
What was it to her that the wind blew chill anC
sharp without? ltcouldnot penetrate the depths
of those damask curtains. 1t touched not The
cluster of tea roses, and that snow white japoni
: ca that stood on the sofa table, and shed blanc
perfume over the couch of embroidered sill
which the lady had just occupied: ittouched no
G the rare prints and the last magazine which lay
g half concealed beneath the crimson cushion.
Her dress was that of summer, and like summer
d was the atmosphere of these beautiful rooms.
y Her hands wandered among the harp strings
n and the color deepened in her cheeks as the
y music which they drew forth rose and swellet
around her; but, as if the discord had startled
!, her with pleasant surprise, she turned her head
as the ringing of the door bell broke through
9 the low notes which her harp was that instan
9 whispering; her white arm rested motonless a
gainst the arras; her lips were slightly parted
u and the color on her cheek was like the crimson
side of aPeach. She onged 10 steal toward th'
: door and listen if it was indeed his voice.
6 When the footman opened the door, sayin!
% that woman and boy wished to speak with hi
mistress, he could see the beating of her hear
ID through the folds of pure muslin crossing he
% bosom, and there was meaning smile on hi
lip when he observed the look of annoyance