True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1856-02-20


contents, m it unopened, begging her
adopted father TO take it from her sight,
and retain it in his own possession, lest
at any time the painful necessity of using
it should come upon her.
And she parted from them, from all
she loved and valued in life, TO hide her.
self and her shame together, where none
might hear Of her more.
CHAPTER ".
1t was a bitter night. All day the
whring storm had ragged, showering
down the white snow fakes over the good
city Of Berlin, still, at twilight, scarce
pathway could be seen, even through the
mos, frequented streets. In the suburbs
hardly creature was stirring cut Of doors,
and, but for the lights that gimmered here
and there in the windows, one might
have deemed it a frozen city.
Dreary aud de solate indeed must he
be, who, on such night, could call no
hearthstons his own; yet there were
many wrelched beings hiding away in
hooks and corners of this royal city, who
would gladly have ea!en.lhe ctum BIS from
the meanest board.
A quarter Of mile out Of the town,
and on an eninence overlooking the
Spree, stood long, low edifcc of gray
stone, with sharply-poin'ed gables and
narrow Gothic windows. For a long
time it had been uninhabited but now
cheerful gleam came from the parlol
windows, and within, the sweet SOUND
of music seemed striving to drown thu
bowling of the wind without. Two oil
servants sat crouching over the kitchel
fire, listening to the fearful wailings o
the storm, and as the frozen slcet cam,
driving against the well.closed shutters
thanking their stars that they were safe,
sheltered from its fury, and praying {
sincere "God help the poor" for the les
fortunate.
Mistress Alice has sweet voice. salt
Carl, as The sound of a plaintive air cam,
to their ears 'but would rather hear E
merry tune from her rosy lips. Sh'
sings gayly enough when The music teach
er is here; but when there is no one by
her songs are always so sad and low, that
somehow, fancy there be ghosts in th'
house; and can almost see their pale
faces if I but turn my head over my ehoul
der
'Whistv replied Dame Bertha; 'it i
not for such as you to find fault with Mis-
AIice's songs. And don't be talking O
ghosts on sue night as this. May b
you never heard she continued. the Sta
ry Of old miser Hoffman, who died in til
east chamber here, years ago. They sa
he never rested well, even in his grave
and the old woman drew her shawl close
about her shoulders.
'What was il, dame = inquired Carl
i never heard breath of it before.'-
And Bertha went on 10 tell him that. es
especially OH dreary winter nights, III
: troubled spirit Of the penurious old wretc
: went shivering about The town, seekin
for the comforts that he himself had, man
, time, refused to the needy and sufIe
ing. She had scarcely finished her VOL
d drous recital, when light tap at the dot
startled them, causing the half cowardl
: Carl to turn pale with terror; but Il
stouter.hearted dame, taking the cand
, from the mantle, demanded who the il
ruder was, taking care to repulse all e'
spirits, if such were without, by pref
cling her question with fervent In Il
- name Of Cod
A low, childlike voice, in reply, inqu
red for Mistress Alice; and Bertha, re-
. ognizing the tone, opened the door vii
70 enough TO admit the slight form that slot
'' trembling at the portal, wondering in Il
mean time what could have sent her for
al from her home at such time. The chill
a. pale girl of some dozen summers, sho,
10 The snow flakes from her cloak, and thro'
Il ing her wet hood on chair beside ht
at again asked to speak with Mistress
y, ice. 1T
Q 'Your poor mother is not ailingr
20 quired Carl. still OBTAINING the child, W
s seemed impatient Of their questions, a
Of anxious to perform her errand; but j.
Id at this moment the parlor door opent
p and the mistress herself appeared.
For an instant her dark eyes open
st- wide with asionishment; but quickly
d; covering her usual self.posscssion, a
lts patsinV her fair hand earsssingly over