Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1856-12-10

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stairs will not improve it-a little further
--one more fiisht-do no tremble so. my |
child; You will not see any of those peo |
pie And so at last they stood within
a room, so low, so mean, So miserable,
that Hesse hal never imagined human
IT, could exist in surh surroundings
The bare. unpainted raft rs of the attic
were family illumined BY the moonlight
streaming through domer window, and
the hazy glow of a tallow candle. by
which a woman was seated at her work.
The single chair which she occupied, the
small pine table on which her materials
were spread, was the principal furniture
of the room. Fire. there was none! but
the dull white ashes in the rusty CRATE
showed that it had beer suffered TO die
out after the last meal But the woman
herself, so gaunt, so'worn, to warm her
benumed fingers by rolling them in the
folds of her faded apron, and looked up
as she heard their steps, with dull,
hopeless gael 1t was strange contrast
to the young wife, in all her elegance
and beauty, her round, white arms pro-
tecied by the ermine lined cloak, which
had slipped from her shoulders, reveal
ing the cloudlke folds of gauze that
composed her dresss, and the jewels that
sparkIed on her throat and wrist.
DO not let us disturb you. Mrs. Allen,
said Mr.. Ralston, as he saw the look OF
amazement and disquiet with which she
rose to receive them Mrs Ralston has
only called to pay you that little bill,
sent in three weeks ago. She thought
you would excuse late visit, knowing
how much you needed the money
And then he laid the amount before her
from his own purse, without even look
ct Hesse, who could not have spoken for
her life.
%, sir. hope haven't been trouble
some! the poor creature said; 'but in
deed, l did not think you were The lady's
husband, or | would not have said one
word. But could not get any money
from any one, and my rent was due, and
they told me you were Away coed an3
kind to the poor. Being the same name,
was what made me mention it. | suppose;
but, indeed, did not think you were her
husband. Please excuse me, am,
and she turned to Hesse with look SO
humble, so beseeching, that she coul'l
not bear I, and hurried cut OF the room,
regardless of the darkness, or the narrow,
winding stairs.
'Home-Jamesr Mr.. Ralston said to
the coachman, for he heard the bitter,
convul>ive sobbing from the corner o
the carriage in which his wife had thrown
herself, and knew that home was the best
shelter for her newly awak ned self-re-
proich. And then he raised her in his
arms, and asked her forgiveness for e
harsh lesson, so tenderly, while he ex
planned what seemed an espionage upon
her conduct, but was a reality only the
revelation of accident. He overheard
the purchase OF the ornament the
very first evening she had worn them,
coupled with remarks upon her exirava
pance, from the ladies who had admired
them at Bailey's, AMI he knew only too
well the difficulties in which she would
involve herself. He had watched the
progress Of her unhappiness, hoping that
she would apply to him; but accident
again threw Mrs. Allen, the cap maker,
in his way, and he had planned, in kind
ness to herself, the visit to the room,
her desolate poverty would be
the best reprOof.
DO not think me cruel, my dear child.
1t was l who placed the temptation in
your path; you know so little Of the
world that l cannot blame you. Ii is
thu frs. Of series of faulis-vices in
deed--to which every woman in fashion
able life is exposed. have seen so
much mischief result from it-you can
not dream how far some Of them have
been carried by just such commence
ment. l meant it all in kindness; do
no. think l suffered one selfish motive to
intrude! You know my wealth is yours;
but 1 wish to show you, darling, how
many better uses it may be put to than
mere personal adornment.'
%, forgive me--forgive me? was the
only response of the now thoroughly
humblrd girl. Indeed. they gave me
no pleasure. 1 have been very miser-
able all the while
i knew it, Hesse; and sometimes
Ionged to end it all, by telling you what
thought. But you have been taught
The value of money by hard lesson,
and now you shall be my little almoner,
and help me to be bountiful steward
VIII you nct?' and he kissed her as a
seal of forgiveness and reconciliation.
A war uDon visiting medical muse |