True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1855-01-25
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From the Give Branch.
NORA NELL.
A NEW WAY 10 GET A WIFE

New York, l had wandered, one bright
moonlight night, over half the city from
Bleecker street to the Battery, and now
stood under gas light in Broadway, op-
posite the Park, watching the posscrs-by,
as they came from the Theatre on the
other side, with the advantage, from the
brilliant glow of the light, of not being
seen myself. There is something very in
tercsting in city by moonlight; this was
gloriously clear and beautiful night, and
in the long deserted and shadowy streets,
that SO lately teemcd with busy beings,
now wrapped about by the silent mantle of
night, lay pregnant monde. Ihad stood
for moment in contemplative mood,
the thoroughfare was again in all silence,
the crowd had passed hurrying on, warmly
dressed in their furs, when a hand was
gently laid upon my arm. Turning, 1 be-
held a female figure slight in form, and
very beautiful, yet pale and emaciated in
feature. \ hasty word was rising to my
lips, as I essayed to repulse the intrusion,
thinking the being before me one of those
fallen angels who infect every large city.
And more particularly this, where may be
found as very neighbors, vice and virtue,
riches and poverty, misery and happiness.
A second glance convinced me of the in
justice of my suspicion. as the poor crea-
ture sunk at my feet imploring charity |!
Raising the thinly clad child, for she was
but child in years, from the ground, in
few words, I heard story of misery,
and suffering that opened every channel TO
my heart. Yet determined to learn its
truth, l threw the warm and ample folds
of my cloak around her, and supporting
her weak and emaciated form, hurried by
her direction towards her home. We pas
sed down ChathIm, through dark lanesiand
alleys, into the section of the city known
as the Five Points, and presently descen-
dod into cold, damp cellar, the ground
being scarcely covered by rotten and bro
ken boards. In the least exposed corner
of this desolate place, was large box, in
which lay couple of children on straw,
scantily covered with old carpets, the one
sleeping innocently, while the other, half
sleepy, and half awake, uttered subdued
sobs. My companion, pointing to the
children, groaned out the word starving,
and sunk fainting to the floor. Rushing
from the apartment, I sought the nearest
Restaurant, procured hot wine and water,
and in scarcely less time than it has taken
to relate this, was again in this cellar of
want, administering to the immoderate ap-
pettes of the half-staryed children.
So overcome was my companion by her
feelings and first sufferings, that many
minutes elapsed before she could partake
of anything. At length I prevailed upon
her to taste the wine which warmed and
invigoratcd her almost broken constitution,
and brought to her pale and haggard cheek
a gentle tinge of loveliness, After procu-
ring an ample covering for the children
and the female who had conducted me
hither, with additional refreshments, left
them; promising to call on the morrow
As I pressed my bed of down, that night,
I felt guilty to realize within myself that
while l revelled in luxury, thousands Of
my fellow-creatures were suffering from
want and poverty. During the ensuing
week my time was mainly employed in
procuring comfortable lodgings for the
sufferers, and supplying the same with
little comforts and necessities.
One evening about three weeks after the
night on which 1 had first met my prote.
gies, l sat in neat, comfortably furnished
apartment in Houstan St., at work table
near cheerful fire sat the being, who SC
lately supplicated charity at my feet in thu
cold streets. A stranger would not have
recognized her now. The color was fas
returning to her cheeks, her dark ant
thoughtful eyes sparkled with vivacity, ant
t a sweet smile ornamented her lovely coun
D tenance.
well Nora, said I, Cher name wa
r Nora) you seem to have quiet comforta
t bic home now, and your little brothers to(
they have improved wonderfully With
+ the last fortnight Tears glistened for
d moment in her large piercing eyes as the
beamed with gratitude on me.
n Indeed, sir, we are very happy sal
3 she, 'and owe all, even our lives to you
d Not so,' Nora, said I, thank Heave
Y rather than me, for it was an all-ruli1
sy providence that conducted you to ME, al
,e I am only an unworthy agent of that XIII
ID Heaven. But my good girl, you ha,
e, promised to tell me your history, will yc
a. do so tonight? 1 have only heard suf