The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1850-05-08
BY PAUL cRKyToS.

i n = IA r n - a ~ " BUN.
AN INCIDENT IN HEAL LIFE.
By PAUL cRKrTos.
One night last winter, while pnrsuing
my way along one Of The most obscure
streets IN Boston. | was aroused from The
revery in which I was induiging. by hear
ing footsteps close BY nv side. Turning
quickly. beheld young girl, apparent
ly moi more than Twelve years old. fbliow- :
ing as IL she was anxious 10 speak to me;
and when | observed blythe dim light Of
a neighboring greet lamp. iha. she was
poorly clad. trembling. thin and pale. l
asked her, in tone Of kindness, what
she wsnied.
"Ify you please. sir." she replied. in a
voice that was almost choked by sobs,
yet which struck me as soft and pecu-
liarly sifyer-ioned-.lf you please. sir,
will you go back with me just little
way. and see my father, who is very
sick r.
.what is The matter with your "a
therl' asked, afraid Of being deceiv-
ed.
20, sir, I don't know" she answered,
in the same tone as before but fear he
is going TO die. DO sir, be 20 good as TO
20 and see him.
The esrnesit manner of the broken.
hearted girl made me ashamed OF having
doubted her al FIRST. and resolved to COM
ply with her request. was in just The
mood for some adventure where there was
an opportunity Of accomplishing an OBJ
jeci Of benevoIence, and willingly follow
ed my limid, sorowful little girl TO her
home. i1n
The girl led me into small and some
what dilapida.ed house. and invited me
TO ascend small and narrow staircase.
Al the head Of the stairs ] heard her
cropping about until her hand touched The
latch Of door, which che opened. ask
ing me in low voice 10 follow her into
the room.
did so, and found myself in IN hum
bic apartment. where scrupulous neainess
seemed struggling against absolute want.
The dim ligh. Of a flickering lamp which
stood upon small table near the door,
revealed 10 me The scan,y furniture,
which found 10 consist OF few chairs,
the table already mentioned. and among
other articles Of minor importance, bed
in the most retired part Of The room.
The girl stepped along before me, and
poinled TO the bed.
"Come this way, slr, if you please" :"
she whispered; /" here's father"
As she turned 10 approach the bedside
Of the sufferer, 10 apprise him Of my pres
ence, silently brushed away teal.
which the sight Of her grief. worn, pallid
cheeks, and eyes red with weeping, caus-
ed 10 start through my eyelids."
My youthful guide bent over the sick
man, and laying her cheek close 10 his.
while her arms encircled his neck, wins.
pered something in hls ear. A moment
after, she arose, and placing chair al the
bedside, begged me 10 approach.
Seating myself in The chair she placed
for me, took The hand of The invalid. and
gaxed for The fr.t time full upon bis face.
shall never forget the spectacle. Al
though emaciaied, his features betrayed
the spirit Of pride in The midst ol poverty,
of resolution in adversely. and of stern en-.
durance during his moments OF agony,
which dwelt within his breast.
\ | was abou, TO address him when he
cut me short by speaking first.
You find me in bad condition, sir."
said he, with a smile, thought rather
, bitter. IL cant deny that am actually
crushed by sickness and misforlunes; thin
lyon will readily believe, for | could nevel
have stopped to ask assistance Of any one
had not been perfectly helpless. Ant
even now, sir. doubt whether woult
not have died before asking favor o
/ any one, had II mol been for The broken
hearted girl who conducted you hither."
r / cannol describe my sensations Of
, hearing these words SO full Of pride an
, candor. fell from the lips Of man VIII
: nigh. be dying. Il was plain TO be see
{ that the invalid had once seen better days
1 and moved in circles of refinement, and
4 was sure that his intellect was OF the Gil
e lesl order. |, was owing TO these peculis
r circumstances Of the case, that becan,
Q deeply interested in my new scquaiI
1 Ilances, and felt anxious 10 relieve then
y