Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1855-05-18

as he told il:
IL is eight years next month, Hattie
and was in New York, engaged 10 my
collegiate studies. Yoa see it was three
years sfier our mothers death, and yoV
were at that time with uncle Harvard, at
tending school. Il was a cold, wild, disa
greeable night; and remember ulsndin:
at the window Of my sanctum, and looking
out ruefully into the darkness. for | had al
engagement to meet several Of my felloV
students that evening in distant portion
of the city.
Dear mel how the wind blowsl' / solil
Oquised, with very feminine shrug of tbs
shoulders, as drew the curtains Closer
I've half mind 10 throw myself on TIE
lounge, which looks so provokingly comfort
able this evening, and not attempt an en-.
counter with the elements. It's absurd tc
think they'll expect me such night as this
In short, won't tempt an influenza BY
showing my face outside the door, was the
conclusion Of my monologue.
i remember that wheeled up the sofa
in comfortable proximity With the FIRE. 10.
Gated my lamp 90 that its rays fell softly
upon the volume intended 10 commune
with, and ths: / had settled myself for 9
long, quiet. winters evening"
But it would not do. My eyes wander.
ed listlessly along the pages; they could
not engage my attention. A strange, un-
accountable feeling of restlessness and anx.
iety seemed to possess me. At last res
Olutely closed the book, and few minutes
later was in Broadway. mentally eeusur-
ing my folly in yielding to a feeling could
not resist .--ss
'Ah, mel looking back through the eight
years that lie between that dreary night
and the present. how clearly can discover
the great Fathers leve in it all
what is it you want here, li:tle boy?
see him now just as though l had seen him
this morning, and the light from the tall
window is falling on him just as it fell then.
revealing his ragged dress and pale. pinch
ed features, and the cold rain 10 dripping
of his thick, brown curls. just IS it did then.
Il is strange. mournful Picturs-ihe dark
night in the background. and the little rag
ged boy. and the brilliant lights, and the
great stores, with all sorts of rare confect-
ions in front. No wonder it touched my
heart. The boy started as laid my hand
gently on his shoulder. and looked up with
his wild, eager bright eyes into my face.
o, sir! be said. after moments earnest
perusal Of my features. L was thinking il l
only could carry one OF those cakes home
to Ellen; she is very sick, and-and (lhe
little fellows lips quivered.) We havn't had
anything to eat for two days
4 did not speak another word; but l
caught hold of the child, and pulled him
after me into a store
Hand me down plate Of those csIes.'
cried 20 the astonished clerk. who turned
with more than ordinary alacrity to ful6ll
my request. l drew the boy into small
sitting-room at one end of the establish
ment. Now eat these as fast as you can.
and then tell me who Ellen u.s.
His hungry look, the strange avidity
with which he grasped the food, almost
wrung tears from my eyes
Ellen is my sis,er-my only sister since
the baby died. We are all alone now
Last month. Just after they buried mother,
she grew sick. Is'pose it was because she
cried so much; and she's been growing
worse all the time -
And there is nobody to take care of her
now but you, my little fellow?'
Nobody but ms--the money mother
left is oil gene, you see, sir, and though l
earn sixpence by selling pa
Ders or cleaning side walks. couldn't leave
Nelly for the last week, she grew so much
worse. o. sir, bow good these taste!
can't thank you, but want to-
We'll, you needn't my boy. want no
other than your enjoyment Of them
But msyn't take the rest home 10 Mel
y? She'll be frightened. I'm gone SO long,
0, sir. if you'd only go with me!'
I'll come and see you and Nelly 10 NOR
row. said. if you'll tell me where you
live, and nov while you are eating the re-
Of your cakes, I'll get something
that Nelly will ike better
I procured basket which / saw well
stocked with variety Of fruits and confec
lions most likely to tempt the appetite of an
invalid. and adding to these all the money
| bad with me. / returned 10 the child
60 home to Nelly with these as fast as
you csn,' / said, and tell her that l will
come to see her tomorrow morning. Now
be a man. my little boy, and take good care
of sister Ellen til them
And ere all these for her?' said the
,hild, as his large, wondering eyes rOamed
,ver the basket. And she has been moan. |
ng in her sleep after an orange for whole
week. o, sir, we will pray God to bless
Tou for all this; and he will, for mother
lsed to say be would hold those in ever
ssting remembrance who forgot not the
sidoW and the orphan and tears Of min
yled gratitude and delight were shoWering
Town the little fellows face IS We parted.
The next morning, Hattie, l received
hat letter which summoned me 20 my faith
RS dying bedside. / bad, of course. no
ime to ful6l my engagement with the little
,rphans, in whom had become so greatly |
indeed, the mournful cireum-
tances which drew me once more to the
lome of my childhood banished them from
ny mind .4.s
'Ifyou will look down to that time, my
title sister, you will remember that April
vas waving her green carpet over the mead
'ws before We parted, and l returned to
he city to complete my studies, and then
O enter that serHica in which. hAfnra INV