The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1848-05-04
on the poor orphan girl.

on the poor orphan girl.
The November wind swept wildly around
Helen Leslie, as she stepped into the street,
aud stood for moment irrcsolutc whittier
to direct her steps. The cold wns intense.
and it quickly pierced through tho thin
garment in which she was clad; but she
cndcnvorcd to keep her hear. warm, and
though the wind seemed to blow more
ficrceIy as she walked down the street nj n
quick pace aud the snow flukes fell thickly
on her face, she needed It not, but began to
dream Of coming happy days for herself
and Margery; and a cheerful smile wns
still on her countcnnnce, rs che stepped in
to an intelligence office, aud stated 10 M
elderly and grnvc looking gentleman that
sho wished for situation in n family, ci-
Their rs scnmstscss or chnmbermaii.
The gentleman made n few inquiries us
to whether she had been accustomed TO such
hard work, and could bring good recon-
mcndations,-and when Helen wns oblig-
ed to reply il the negative, he told her that
he could not provide her with a situation
at present; but the apparent innocence and
goodness Of her beautiful countcnancc
touched his heart aud he added that he
would cndcavor to find good place where
she could be received without testimonials
Of character, and instructed in the duties Of
her situation.
While tho gentleman was speaking, an
individual in the adjoining apartment cali
ed him; and bidding Helen wait till his re-
turn, he left tho room. After few mo-
mcnts absence he came back with smil-
ing countcnnncc, aud informed her that he
could provide her with situation in a
small family, where she would be expected
10 do plain sewing aud wait on two ladies'.
lie named tho street and tho number where
the family resided, and told her that she
could 60 there Immediately, or wait few
days, a. suited her best; and that she should
receive such wngcs MS could not fail 10 give
her entire satisfaction. Helen cndeavor-
ed to thank him, but her emotion was too
great for uttcrance. The gentleman saw
her flowing .enrs, aud bowling 10 her kind
~, he turned away.
Now Heaven be praised" exclaimed
Mrs. Wilson, as Helen rc.cntcrcd tho hum.
bio experimentation sec there is hope in
your hcort, and gladness in your eyes.
though you are trembling with cold and
covered with snow
The happy girl sat down beside her kind
friend, and told Of tho good fortunes she had
mot with.
And now dear Margnry,' shc added, 'on
lss sh...l h,sU s..crls, hoIl lNnfh IIvnI-
You will have Just rs mucl, of my wages ns
you can spend, you know aud as the place
where sl,nll live is only about n mile from
here, shnll como home quite often; for
shall work very fast, and undoubted after
my labors are finished, the ladies' will allow
me to step out little while, md then
sI.all como home 10 you, aud do NIL you will
want done
.Thank you, my dcnr Child said Mrs.
Wilson--'but shall not need your kind
ness; Cor good providence has smiled on
INC too, during your absence. Look here.
and she held up letter which tho post
boy had Just brought in.
Il was from her nephew, who resided n
few miles out Of the city. lie hnd heard
of her illness and poverty, md had sent to
inform her that he should come next day
10 take her TO his house, where she should
remain until her health was perfectly re.
stored.
So accustomed had poor Helen been 4
disappointment and sorrow, that when tho
morrow had comc-.he day on which she
decided 10 enter her new sphcro--all her
cirerfulncss had vanished. Il was her
18th birthday, and as she stood before her
mirror to adjust her hair, rho thought, had
her dear mother lived, and her father been
the kind parent no was in her infancy, what
glad day the present had been to her and
10 them. Helen knew that shc was beau.
iiful. She could not look on hersclf with
out being conscious TINT her form and fen
lures were more dclicately moulded :han
were those Of most females knew that
her eyes were Of brighter and Of a deep
CT blue, that her skin was clearer, that hei
hair was softer and Of richer brown; ond
she thought with what pride and pleasure
her parents might have gazed upon her
But they aro gone; and there was none e
look upon her now but with envy and con
tempt.
Tho morning passed away sadly enough
though Helen did all in her power to ap
pear cheerful; but after she had, with a
smiling countcna nee, insisted Mrs. Will
son down stairs, aud badc her good bye,
and watched the carriage which was e
convey her 10 the residence Of her ncph.
ew, till il had disappeared from her view,
she returned again TO the apartment which
they had occupied, snd seating bersolfon
IN old box, Tho only article in the room
which had not been rcmov cd, -she gave
full vent to her sad feelings.
The san was shining brightly on the
white sheet Of enow which had been spread