Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1851-09-19
From the Star Spangled Banner.
The Stranger--A By-gone Sketch of New York.


of New York. the spacious Broadway, seemed on this
nst.t almost wholly deserted Here and there ne
destran might be seen contending against the driving
sleet and chilling snow. while they drew their gar
mens close to their contracted lmbs and pressed for.
ward with great activity.
On the way from The Battery towards the Astor
Housea man-all, erect, and of military bearings,
proceeding at very deliberate pace, apparently
regardless of the of the elements His form was
concealed in the folds of large cloak. but the expos
ed features evlnced an iron WILL determination of
character, tempered by intellect that would seem 10
qualify him, in eminent degree for the execution
and command OF any important project. In vain did
the cutting sleet and fierce north wind oppose his way
Thought was loo busy within him 10 heed the resist
ing elements But slight form, weaker than the
storm, though pale the falling fragile child
opposed the passage Of this stern man. ana stopped his
onward course.
Charity, sir, pray you' she said, in a voice chill
ed by the co!d while the quiverng icad limbs plain
ly showed the pain she suffered,
The stranger for the moment gazed harshly on her
his brow darEened--but it was only for moment.
he look and the of the child was totally op-
p'site 10 lhe wandering vagraht. Her voice touched
his heart
Child, said he, who has been so unfeeIing as TO
send YOU forth this nclement night j?
On, no one, sir
So young ana Vet beggar at beart'
8 tave you parents, child !?
YES SIR
Are you accustomed to frequent the streets for char
;ty"
Oh no but father is very sick. and there is no
But you have said your parents knew not of your
coming out This evening.
No, sr-they did not Mother put little brother
to he'd and cried very mich when she told she ia
nothing for US 10 eat. She said father verv i'll,
ami that she must attend him during the 'ght. She
told us 10 say ou prayers an1 be COOL children, and
in the morning we should have something 10 eat. She
then Kissed Us and hahe us good ght had seen
children in the asking for money and thought #
couj only get some how happy If would make poor
mamma; ;hea she could buy medicines for father, and
little brother could have bread 10 eat So got up
s,,ftly, without awaking IN. put nv cnthes and
left the house. without telling mother where was GO
ing. thought i: would he easy to get money. but
have been oct very long, and no one seems 10 care for
what say 10 them.
Child, is this true, what you have told me? But |
know 1t is-truth is written in your eountenance
Poor girl-vou must have suffered much let this
shield you from the frosty air. lie then unfoled a
large fur mufI1er from his neck and twined around
the form of the child
You are very good sir hut if you could help poor
father and mother, should he so happy
If thew are deserving, will. Come. we will go
to your father and MOTHER and vii! if ANYTHING
can he done TO assist them. What Is your name"
'Adea, sir
sWhat is your fathers business?
He wrote, before he sick. for the papers and
magazines but have heard mother say he was a SOL
dier and officer
Hay! soiler Child, YOU are still cold; and he
unbot,oned his large cape from his cloak and wrapped
il around her.
THANK you. Yes, sir, he was soldier, for ne has
often told stories OF the brave General Jackson, who
Was his commander
'Hav cluId Jackson his general and be suffering
If he lives he shall not suffer long. To escape the
bullets of the Indian rifles and return with whole
scalp only to die nf starvation? Ry the Eternal il is
too bad. Come child and he caught up the little
Adelia in his arms with vehemence that startled The
poor girl. Heaven grant, he said, | may not he ton
ate He then pressed onward as 4 pursuer would
follow his retreatng foe, and rapid were his strides
that many minutes had not elapsed he reached the
miserable dwelling pointed out by Adea as her home
The door was unbarred and offered resistance 10 the
entrance of the visitor Guided by Adela he ascend
ed the shaking stairway to their apartment Soft
y opening the door, what a scene was presented to
his view. The dim lamp, instead of dispeIiing the
darkness made the gloom more ghastly ndlstinc, but
the bed upon which laid the fevered form was more
clearly seen The lamp seemed to have exhausted its
rays on the features Of the pale, fair watcher which
though clouded by intense suffering hote the stamp "i
an indelibe. though delicate beauty, which sadness
and woe could not affect.
The ceakng of the door caused her 10 start wildly
Asonishment thrilled through every ven
Her little Alelia, whom she had left, as she thought
by the side of her brother now IN company with a
stranger at this late hour of the night while the
garments quickly informed the eye OF the mother that
her little daughter must have been wanderer in the
storm No wonder that she was speechess-no won
der that she sunk almost he pless into the open
of the chair beside her.
Lady. have not come curious intruder at In S
late hour | have come where sorrow is, to sympa
thse If want eXists-to relieve it. | am stran-
ger to DANGER hardship and suffering Thanks to this
noble hearted little girl, have been directed where
trust, can do good. From her learned tha, your
as such there is debt of sympathy existing between
us therefore, ma lam, let not false decacy withhold
from me your confdence-for by the Eternal as am
a man and soldier, will respect and serve you
Heaven, thank thee. Words cannot express, sir
the gratitude owe you. The emaciated form of my
husband is reposing in slumber-the first he has en-.
oyed fol many nights The hand of Providence has
ordered this sleep visits my husband. Then you are
sent providentiay to olr poor home; but. sir, hope
you do not think me unnatural parent as 10 have
sent this poor child to seek charity
No, lady; this little heroine has exonerated you
fully from that while in the recitation of her ingenious
tale discovered truth and affection worthy of more
advanced age But your husband-has he had pro-
per medical attendancer
ALAS, sir, fear not. You have desired me 10 speak
plainly with you !; | will do so. AS long as money
was forthcoming in advance, tie attendance regu
lar; when that was exhausted, it totally ceased
The narrow minded villain | would like 10 make
an example of him But anger must not interfere with
the business hand. physician must be procured:
will now leave you for that purpose. and will also
send you some few necessary articles you may require
Nay, lady, do not blush-poverty is no crime see
you have pride. like IT, but pride must not interfere
in this instance For vour rhusband'S-your chidrens