Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-06-13
Cboite 1itfraturs.
The strs ssrry Boy.


The strs hsrry Boy.
!. One fgamord ! stlsssuasmer of 1888.
a handsome, but poorly dressed boy, called
at the door of rich mansion in L. square
in New York city, and offered some baskets
of Strawberries for sale. Having disposed
Of the fruit, he was disposed to depart, when
his attention was arrested by the appearance
of a beautiful girl, some twelve years old,
who crossed the hall near the door She
was the only daughter of the gentleman of
the house. The kind look which she be-
slowed on him struck cord in his heart,
which, until that moment had never ,ibrated
'Shei is very lovelyr he exclaimed men
tally. but she isthe daughter of great mil
lionaire can be nothing to me-
: am young be continued to himself
Would [ could make myself worthy of her.
And this thought, though it did not Danish
the feeling, hushed it.
A week passed, and the little boy again
stood. with palpitating heart, at the rich
mans door. His fruit was purchased as be-
fore, and he received the money from the
white hand of the fair being whom, from the
moment he first saw her, he had dared to
love. She spoke kindly to him and bade
him call again.
He Gid not forget the order. He called
again, but the season was advancing, and
the fruit had become a scarcity.
/ shall not be able to bring you any
MORE he said one morning. | am sorry,
for it was pleasure for me to call here, but
we may meet hereafter
The young heart that futtered in the bo-
som of that young girl was touched at the
, musical though somewhat melancholy tone
in which this was uttered, and she timidly
replied that she would remember him.
We shall meet again, Miss, when, | pro-
mise you, you shall not be ashamed to &C
knowledge the acquaintance of the poor
strawberry boy
Three years elapsed. The tide of spec
ulation which was swelling in our country
had not reached the flood, and the man of
wealth, with his beautiful daughter rolled
in his elegant carriage on their way to Trim
, ity Church. Charlotte was just sweet six
teen,' and the bud wss4s hanging to the open
= rose. She was fair indeed
- The service had ended-the magnificent
y carriage stood at the church door the ele-
. gantly caparisoned horses paved the ground
uneasily-a li>eried footman held the door,
and the wealthy merchant handed his lovely
. daughter to the coach, amid the low obei,
y sance of her gay admirers.
~ Why does she not observe the homage of
~ her thousand admirers?
4 A young but plainly dressed stranger
= = stands quietly at the side of the church door,
= and her gaze for moment is riveted on bis
- features
'o n Who can it be? No she cannot remem.
- - Der.
~ The carriage rolls slowly towards the
ately mansion of the man of wealth, and
the father discovers an uncommon quietness
; in his daughters demeanor.
;" NV dear Charlotte, are you i'll ?
10 No, father, no-I am very WE'LL
:; They arrived at the door-the stranger
~, ~ was there. They aIight-he extends yer,
~ ~ slight but respectable bow to the heiress
- ! and moves on.
A blush tinges that bright cheek-sh,
+ recognizes him. Charlotte re,ires to he
-. chamber-she was unhappy-bu, surely tn
- stranger was nothing to her, or she to him
~ Time rolled on. 1t was the coldest nigh
bee of the uncommon winter of 1885. and tn
ho memorable 10Th of December. A fire ha
= broken out in the evening in one of tn
- principal streets OF the business part of tn
!, , great commercial metropolis. 1t ragged v
40 olently, and at early morning on the SUI
a. a ceedlng day great portion Of the city la
u, in ashes.
IA The millionaire was comparatively a beg
Az Az gar his furniture was sacrificed, his mar
La is sion disposed of his splendid horses an
n9 carriage passed into other hands, and eve
49, JESSE Charlotte's coal black favorite, ws
~ doomed to pass from them under the han
% 81 mer
~. W. Poor Jesse? sighed his mistress; {
~" Nv hope he may fall into good hands
,uo ,uo But nobody wanted Jesse, and he vi
'a' ~ finally purchased and thrown away upon
~ stranger.
..sO ~ Who did you say was the purchaser
ue inquired Charlotte of her father.
le' A Mr.. Manly, think said her fathe
ne' NJ Another year had fed. Misfortune b;
49, followed in rapid succession, and the rev
~ ou' luton of 1887 had finally reduced our m
sa 81. of wealth to bankruptcy. The followi
bes o advertisement appeared in the papers of t
ner day:
,.o u' Will be sold at public auction, on We
a, a.e' nesday next, on the premises, the right
~ ~ redemption to that beautiful cottage W
s.,e about an acre of land adjoining, laid out
ano aIE. garden, we'll stocked with fruit trees a
'uhy 10y shrubbery. situated on the south side
o..e .ne Staten island. and mortgaged to John ,
Jill cob Asior for the sum of ten Thousand a
=. three dollars, &c. Sale postive-tit!e
alu diSputable--possessioL given Immediately
my terms cash.
= The rich man, that was, in vain appea
to his sunshine friends for aid. They m
have security-the times were hard-tl
rlng had lost good deal of money-peo
D,o.y' sometimes would live too fast-it wa.
hin their fault-yery sorry, but could not b
him.