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

on Tue arm ner biOss0ming rOso tree, and
with the other carrying her bird cago with
ito happy little canary. Tho bright war
bier uttered his loudcst aud sweetest notes
in answer to the caroling Of tho few robins
which had como to find home in the CUB
urbs Of tho city; and the pale roses looked
uP to the warm sun, and breathed out their
sweetest perfume, and the poor orphan girl
laughed more loudly when she gazed on
her fair blossoms, and more merrily sang TO
the music Of her bird than she bad ever
done beforc. All that day she wandered
on, unthinking whittier, singing with her
warbIing bird, and laughing with her flow
ers; but though she travelled many miles,
and passed through crowded marts and
thronged streets she observed no one, and
no one noticed or cared that she was mad
But st night, when wcaried with her long
walk, and almost fain,ing with hunger, she
sat down on the door step of an old build
ing and tried 10 hum m adicu to her sleep
ing bird and dropping flowers, a poor wash
erwoman who lived in little room in the
upper story Of that old building, heard her
feeble and trembling voice, and tho sweet
and simple melody il brcathed, touched
chord in her widowed and motherlcss heart !;
and when another occupant Of the dwell
ing would have driven the vagrant from
the door, she fastened to put her arms
round tho friendless girl, and carried
her To her own room where she nourish-
cd her as kindly and tendcrIy Is though
she had been her own child.
Weeks, and months even, passed awav
before Mrs. Wilson, or Margary, (as her
neighbors called herr knew the name of
her for whom she had expended the reward
Of many hard day Of toll; but when on
recovering from long and dangerous ill.,
ness. Helen Lcslio regaincd her lost rea-
son, and told her nnme and her sad story to
her kind benefactrcss, the poor woman
clasped her 10 her bosom, AID shed tears Of
mingled joy and sorrow % she recognized
10 the orphan girl, the child Of ono, who,
sears before, bad been TO her, her best
earthly friend.
Thank Heaven that il gave you voice
like your own dear moiher's,' Margary
would shy day after day, when o, her re-
quest, Helen sang to her tho little song
which had FIRST touched her heart-sbui for
that sweet voice, nigh, never have known
you. aud for tho bright blue eyes too, 10 like
to hers, though your face is oil your fathers
Heaven forgive him. Aud now, see
how cheerful and happy your coming here
has made every thingr she would add,
when she knew that Helen was thinking
how hard she had laborcd Cor her support;
1T was all sIen. and sad before. but see!
now i, is only music and gladncss! You
are beautiful, my dear child, IS your swee,
roses; be but ns happy rs your joyous bird,
and all will be well. Heavens smiles IRE
for those who nrc trusting and happy
IIclcn's heart was not naturally dcs.
bonding one, and she tried TO bc con,en,ed
with her situation, and grateful for the
blessing which were still left to her--a
home aud friend but in very few weeks
after her conynlescenc, she felt that she
would soon be deprived Of both.
Mrs. Wilson's health had been sometime
declining, slough sbo had endeavorcd to
conceal il from Helen; but she was obliged
to DENY the finishing Of one piece Of work
utter another, till her last patron was lost,
and she then laid herself down on her couch,
she feared to die. Helen wished to coll in
physician, but the poor woman would not
allow il, for shc knew that the sum Of mon-
ey which was left her, afier paying the ex-
pcnscs Of the young girls illness, would be
only sufficient to pay the next quarters
rent, aud procure food for them Tor few
weeks.
Fearing il was her poverty alone which
prevented the sick woman from having
medical advice, Helen cndenvorcd 10 pro-
cure employment at the clothing stores,
that shc nigh. gain for her the needed aid,
but 10 this she was disappointed, and other
work than sewing, her still feeble health
would not allow her to do.
Gradually, but pcrceptibly, did Mrs. viii.
son decline; and Helen, as she knels there
beside her couch, with autumn's golden
sunlight resting on her head, aud the cold
fresh mir filled with the sweet notes Of her
pet connry, floating around her, and felt
that her kind friend must soon die, prayed
lervcn,ly that heaven might take her too
from earth and speedily, that she might not
second time fnd herself without a home,
and friend ia the wide unfeeling world.
The ,hough,s 81 the young were sudden
~ disturbed by the loud tones If n woman
who occupied the FIRST floor Of the house.
She seemed to be replying to the questions
ola stronger, and Helen heard her say.
She will most likely be glad to sell il for
La tsife, for the poor woman she lives with
ia sick, and the noise he makes must trou.
BILE her great deal, for am sure my own
head aches most of the time, al Tor its hor-
rid screeching. Go up two pair Of stairs.
and you will fluid her in the iisst room 10 the
right
Helen did mot hear tho reply. but quick