Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1856-12-02

Yes, that IS my name. And what dc
you, want with me, my little girl!' | que.
RED, greatly surprised atthis singular en-.
counter.
., sir, do you remember a little boy
whom you met one evening last winter,
who told you he had a sister Nell, and
The mystery was at once cleared up.
es, yes, remember it all,' inter
rupted. And you are Nelly, | suppose?'
and | surveyed the child with enchanted
interest. Her ragged garments, her pale
mournful face, bore very Iegible history
OF sharp poverty and bitter suffering.
o, am SO glad-so very glad, sirl'
and the light that broke into the little care
worn face was beautiful to behold. Il
was almost sure it must be, when the
4 gentleman called your name, and YOU
looked just as Willy said you did. O..
sir, have looked, and watched, and wait
ed for you SO many days, that / had al
Fmost given up hoping'
Poor child! l have been out of town.
or | would have come to YOU as | prolnis-
ed. But where is Willy now? and what
do you want with me!' | was we'll nipb
ashamed after the latter question was
asked, her poverty answered it SO plain
ly.
20, sir, Willy is sick, very sick, and
his face looks 50 white and strange late
ly, fear sometimes, he is going home to
mother. You see | got better after you
sent me the cakes and oranges, and VIII
I ly bought me some medicine with the
money you gave US, and we paid the rent
/ three months, so the woman let us stay
there. But one day, about d month aro
Willy was out all day in the cold rain,
/ selling papers, and he's so altered now,
/ you'd hardly know him. But he's want
ed to see you so badly, and talks about
you all the time in his sleep, and for the
last two or three days he's grown almost
/ wild about 1t. and So I've been out keep
ing watch for you all day; and | could not
bear to 60 home at night, for Willy would
/ spring up IN the bed, and cry out 50 loud,
/ Nelly, have you seen him?' and when |
shook my head, he would lie down with
such a look that | would go off and cry
alone, 1t made my heart ache to see it
But now Willy will be so glad! O, please,
Sir, won't you go and see hing
see, Hattie, that your eyes are grow
ing moist with tears; and If You could
have heard the simple, touching pathos
with which that child told that sad story,
you would have answered as | did, Yes,
Nelly, | will go now
Willy, I've brought him! I've brought
HIM And the little hand that had gui-
ded me SO carefully up the dilapidated
stairs was Withdrawn as the little girl
broke into that old attic chamber, her ca
ger, joyful tones making the bare walls
ring again: I've brought him! I've
brought hjmr
The dying daylight looked with a sweet,
solemn smile into the room, the entire
destitution of which was revealed 10 me
at one glance. had not time for anoth-
er, for q child's head was lifted from a
miserable mattrass in one corner. ] came
| forward, a pair Of attenuated arms were
stretched out, and those large burning
eyes were fastened a moment on nv face
as though life or death rested on their
testimony.
Yes, yes, l knew you would come at
last, and the little cod arms were wrap
ped around my neck %, have watch
ed, and prayed and hoped 50 long, and
It seemed as if you would never come;
but | knew you would come to-day, for
last night mamma came to me, looking so
beautiful, with flowers woven all arol nd
her head, and a white robe flowing down
to her feet, and SAID, MY little Willy. he
will come tomorrow; and his coming viii
be signal, for then, | too, shall come to
you
My tears were falling fast on the boys
brown curls; but a sharp pang reached my
heart, as he spoke these words:
No, no, Willy, you were only dream
ing | said, as lifted up my head and
looked at him anxiousiy. One glance IN
to the rigid face told me enough,-the
mother had come for her child.
Bend down quick murmured the BOYS
white lips. Nelly will be alone when
leave her; for there's nobody TO take care
of her, you see, and | want to give her
to you. You are 50 kind and good,
know you will take care of her, and new
er let her suffer, and mamma and l will
look down from our home in Heaven, and
bless you for it all, and may be we shall
come some time to take you to us. You
will promise me this, won't you?-quicll,
for cannot see youF and his glazing
eyes wandered over my face.
Yes, Willy, promise 1t 10 God, your
mother IN Heaven, and to YOU answer
ed solemnly.
Nelly, you have heard what he said
he Will take care OF you. Kiss me
once more, liltIe sister. There, there,
mother has come for me. Good bye'-I
The little cold fingers sought our hands
and drew them iogether-a smile wan
dered over the stark, rigid face, and the
last light of that May-day looked into
that bare attic. where the beautiful clay
was lying on the cold mattrass,
% sir, is he dead!' questioned the lit
tie girl, with her large, pathetic eyes wan
dering from the dead face to my own.
Ny looks answered her-my lips could
not.
Willy, Willy, come back, come back
10 mer she cried out in voice, whose ex-