Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1857-06-24
g 8eantitnl storg.
O. ASST A DIV A.

aHeigh y" signs Mr.. Parten, "what for
lorn thing it is to live alonem and he drew his
easy chair to the fire and esconced himself
therein, wrapping his tri-colored dressing gown
about him.
81 wish I were married! I know lady
boards in the same house, too-and l believe
she'd have Inc if / were to ask>her. mean
tho pretty music teacher. She is young, deli
cate and amiable; only there seems to be some.
thing melancholy about her, as though she had
known sorrow; besides she is widow. like
her though, and believe she likes me. III
think this over. I have plenty of money and
nobody to spend it upon. Yes, think will
ask the pretty and amiable Madame Victor to
marry me-"
Rap, tap, tap!
"Come in-who's there 2"
"Please, sir, it's your clean clothes"
"My clean clothes and pray who are you,
you little cherub, and where do you come
from"
IT am Lauretta, sir; and live with Bird
get, who washes, and she sent me here to
night" r.., =
ayes, L should think she had, you little
duckling; and the basket is bigger than your
self! Come and sit down in this chair by the
fire, and warm your toes-there now, want
to talk with you. Are you Bridget's child ?''
"0h, no, sir?" and a look of care passed
over her little face. -.
"No, l thought not. Washwomon's. children
don't have. such eyes, nor such broad foreheadS,
nor such soft hair. Well, birdie, how came
you with Bridget? Have you no parents 2"
Il don't know, sir; I only dream have.
And Bridget lets me stay with her because |
can sing.".s" ~ a ,''..-
sSing!l And what hhs that got to dowith it."
s:Oh, sir, l sing my songsi in the great houses,
and they give me sixpences fol. Bridget"
aAh! You pay your board then Well,
Lauretta, will you sing for me now? 2"
"Ye5, indeed, J" and the little one stands up,
and opening her rose bud mouth, sings Casta
Diva!
aBless my stars what voice! know
something OF music, myself; at least, enough
to know that such voice should lie fortune
to its possessor. Little one, where did you
learn that 2"
"Nurse taught me-"
"Who is nurse ?"
"Nurse is dead" The dark eyes fill up
with tears at this, and the ruby lips are qulv-
ering.
Mr.. Parton walks up and down the room.
His curiosity is excited Us well as his pity.
"Please, sir, shall have my basket? Brid-
get will scold me if l stay long"
"No, little one, will carry the basket; l
am going home with YOU" 40,
aIts up five flights of stairs, sir, and there
is NO light in the passage" =,
@The more reason I should go with you.
Now 1 am ready. Come, my little singer, you
and / will be better acquainted before long:
Don't fall down these stone steps; keep hold
OF my hand here we are, in Broadway. Now
where do we turn! Down Prince street, hey,
and now down Crosby. What do you live
in this alley? O, never fear, little Casta Diva,
/ shall tread safely enough while this little
hand leads me. So. is this the door ?"' -
"Och, and is it you sir, that would be after
com,ingto see poor woman at this hour
VIII You be seated, sir 2' said Bridget, wiping
a wooden chair with her apron. 6 Your shirts
were not to suit ye may BEG" ,i,.....,,.
aShirts all right, Bridget, came home to
bring your little girl, and to ask you something