Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1856-11-20


True Int sunRose buy him myself
4 Poor Stephen Wood for moment as if par
alyzed, and then happy thought seemed to
arise, for his pale cheek became tinged with
faint color. and his eye frightened, as be eager
" exclaimed Weuld you please to buy me
instead, sir r.
Buy you, child How SO ~
" If you would but buy me, sir, mother
would have the money all the same, and
could work. can work, sir, though / look
but weakly"--drawing himself up to his full
heighs, and giving irrner swell to his chcst.
Icould weed and ran on errands raa very
fast, sir. could tend the cows, end do many
things for the money but Carlo couldn't do
nothing, you know, SIR"
Very logically considered" said Mr..
Someryille, smiling !" and as to your work,
my boy, we will see if we can find employment
for you by and by but at present. there, put
down tie dog, and leave him with me; and
here"-throwing sovereign on the table
is what will do your mother more service
than fifty dogs"
The boy s1ood pale and still MS death, sare
only that he strained his little faYorite closer
and closer in his arms. while the poor little
animal as if conscious of impending evil, ncs-
tied his silky head in the bosom of his master
With low, waiting cry of distress
Come take up that, said Mr.. Somerville,
pointing to the sovereign; "land tell your
mother that
90, not for that thing-not for that, hurst
forth from the child, as he pushed the coin far
aSay from him. 40, mother, dear mother !!
if it must be, let it be for food, for wine, for
something to save the life of my mother, bnt
not for that cold, glittering thing y
Big tears chased each other down his sunken
che eks while he spoke but he soon brushed
them hastily away, and then, rs if gathering
up all his strength for the inevitable sacrifice,
he walked quickly eeross the room to where
Miss Somerville was sitting, placed the dog,
the sole treasure of lis heart and life, on her
lap, and in a voice hoarsc with emotion, almost
whispered, go, comfort him, lady, when am
gone,' and rushed out Of the room, having the
price of his sacrifice behind him.
Food aud wine were sent from the manor
house without delay, for the use ofstllc sick
woman and faithfully and tenderly did The
young boy keep watch over her itful slnmbcrs,
and administer from time TO time the rcstora-
tives lie had so painfully obtained hut not a
morsel Of that food could be taste himself il
was the price OF all tin, had given q charm %
his simple life Not word, however, reached
that mothers car not sign met her eye which
could bctray that he haG parted with all his
possession for her sake !: but as returning
strength and power of observation began to
dawn, she saw that the smile, the light of his
heart was gone. His time, his thought lis
strength were all devoted to her comfort but
where was The buoyant step, the gltcsomc
laugh, the froc Wild the warm, bril- Lt hope
that even poverty's cold grasp could never
chill Az, where? She wondered and gricv-
cd but knew not that the companion of lis
waudcriugs, the promoter of his playIulncss
the sharer of his bed and board---ihe DULY
thing save herself that he had 10 love, the on
ly thing that loved hin-was gone Too weak
listless, and almost scnsclcss to oil around, she
had not at first noticed the still loneliness Of
the pale, spiritless boy at her side.
Day by day, the check OF poor Stephen be-
came pale and more pale from his constant
vigIs by his mothers bedside, and the hunger
that would not appcasc itself at so costly q
price; when, one evening, just as the sky was
deepening into the sober gray Of twilight, the
door, which had been left aiar, was srddenly
burst open, and Carlo with one bound, was at
his masters feet. The fond caresscs and soft
ened tones Of Stephen soon restored the at
tached animal to his former joyous gamhols !;
but the boys tears, SO long restrained, now fell
unchecked, till, as shadow crossed the thresl,-
old, he turned and saw Miss Somerville stand
ing in the doorway. Stephen gasped for
breath. 90. indeed, indeed. did not coax
him here; didn't steal him o, ] wish he
was dead ! Let him be dead"
"No, no, Stephen" returned Miss Somer-
vile, in kindly tone, the dog is mnch better
alive brought him here, because thought
yon would like to SEQ him. The truth is, the
other dogs at the manorhouse look upon him
as an interloper and do not think he relish
es the fare there half SO well as when he shar-
ed your breakfast he has often refused part
Of nv own"
Perhaps the crusts wasn't hard nor dry
enough observed Stephen. $50
perhaps not" replied Miss Somerville, smi-
ling at the naive betrayal of his own hard
fare $50 think Ismust get you to take
charge of him for me, and shall pay You for
his board. When your mother is we'll enough
to part with you, want you. to help in mr.
flower-garden and then You can bring Carlo.
as on q visit to me but his home must BE
here" Stephen drew long breath, but did
not attempt to speak, and Miss SomervilIc con
timed My father says also. that when By
your work you have fairly earned the purchase
money. the dog is to be yours again"
nv rcrs oscM r exclaimed Stephen, inaui.
ringly, while every drop of his blood seemed
rushing to his brow. @, was she woman or
Al, I~Av l.,k L.. III