The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1853-07-06
Sin Orlglual 5turu.
WRITTEN EXPRESSLY FOR THE LANCASTER LEDGER"
THE RIVAL FOES
DR.
THE PURCHASED BEAUTY.
wsM. coNNoRs.

bright eyes, now sunkcn in their sockets
st is visible in the mould Of her features
now calm and sorrowful, and in the turn
Of tile hand and arm now withered by suf-
teriug and Diseases.
IL is evident that death will soon claim
her rs its victim. Her eyes rest upon the
little girl with a silent, mourniul, agonizing
expression as she seems To peer into the
linn future, and thinks of the lonely con.
'litlon and uncertain fate of that little
child. At length she calls:
Alice ~
The little girl bounds to her side and
cries:
"You are awake now mother; wont we
have breakfast! am so hungry 7"
Her mothers arms are thrown around
her as she answers:
"You must try and be patient my lar-
ling; the last penny is gone, but perhaps
your father may come home to-day"
"But mother, father has been gone a
week, and may not como; then what will
we dol" ....
Try and bear il II little longer my child /:
surely he will not he gone much longer"
''but mother, We are starving !" VI. =
Tie sufferer answered by look Of
m"urntul, consuming, intense agony.
The child continued: "If you will only
let me beg mother, as the other children
do. | may get something for u.s."
This idea seemed to thrill 10 the very
soul Of the mother. The idea that her
rhiId should beg! Her emaciated frame
withered with more terrible agony than
any that had yet consumed her rs she
cried:
Never! Never ~
But what would she dol For herself,
she cared not, her hours were few, but
would she let her child starv-i These
thoughts seemed to pass through her
mind. as she gazcd upon the pale lace of
he little girl. AT length she said:
"AIice. the Uaker that you have been
a' Gu toned to buy from, may le, YOU have
n loaf Of bread for once without the money.
Try him, my dear"
The starving child needed no second
bidding, but rs she reached the door her
mother called her hack, and throwing her
arms around her neck press d her in a
!, M. atfectionate embrace, rs il conscious
that life was ebbing last within her own
frai body.
The little girl now bounded down the
stairs into the street, and walked as fast
rs her little limbs could carry her until
she reached the bakers shop that was
situated in part OF the city where every
thing wore more gay and lively aspect,
than around her own dreary habitation.
Her little heart had not thought of re-
buff from the baker, bnt when she told
him that she had no money, he in n surly
tone commanded her to leave the shop,
he had nothing to give To beggars.-
Shrinking and frightened by the rough
tones Of the hanlened wretch, she glided
back into the street, and for few mo-
ments stood upon the pavement; the
tears streaming down her pale and sInken
cheeks.
Her !as. hope vas crushed, and the lit
tie girl was starving!
As she was standing not knowing where
To go, she was accosted by tall young
man who was gazing upon her with a look
oi HtenSe Interest.
"What is the matter my little girl, why
10 you weep sol"
She looked up, and with the instinct Of
childhood, knew that he had heart tha,
could sympathize with her sutierings, as
she answered:
'Oh, sir, We have had nothing to eat
for two days, and mother is too sick to
work now"
"Have you no one else to depend on
but your mother; no father or hrothers r.
"Fatber hardly evers,ays with us nov !;
he hasn't been homo for week"
"What j. your namei"
"Alice y
The gentleman turned q shade paler,
bat after a moment he asked again
"Alice who ."
"Alice Winters !"
The little girl did not notice that he
lsaned sgaiust post for support, but con
qiering his apitation, and after rejecting a
moment, he said:
~ yonr mother is suffering and in want,
Twill relieve her; viii. you show me where
you live r.
..Oh yes cir, u you viii ro.v
They walked rapidly, aud were soon IN
the room OF the dying woman. The voung
man gazsd without speaking npon That
corpse Ike face. that white and simoet
'puIseles bosomt
Y n