The Carolina Spartan. [volume] (Spartanburg, S.C.) 1852-1896, 1857-11-26

explanation Of the strange appari,ion, bu
finding Desmond in no mood to CRAFTY hi
curiosity, he placed the tray upon the table
aud quietly walked towards the fireplace
Carelessly placing his hand upon the man
| tle, Tom knocked off the Ambrotype whicl
his master had placed there before he lef
the room. The picture fell at tho feet @
the btde girl, who, observing it, carelessly
took 1t up. and with that curiosity SO pecu
har to children, proceeded to open and ex
anime it. .-, 7.,..,.-
No sooner did her eyes fall upon the pic
ture than she jumped up and exclaimed
with sweet smile upon her countenance
Mother" ..
Desmond, who had been unpacking bis
trunk. turned quickly around on hearing
the child's exclamation, and seeing the
Ambrotype of Lula in her hands, rushed
twards the child, after stepping heavily up.
on Toms corus, and with countenance
pale as death exclaimed ..ls.s
! 1"For the love Of Heaven, child, what do
you meant" s.
[ The child, somewhat frightened by Des,
mond's excited manuer trembling,y replied
as a little tear stole down her cheek, III on.
ly said that this is mothers likeness, sir"
"Your mothers likeness.-and your name
Is -"
"Lula, sir"
"Your mothers name is Lula Woods.
worthsp
Eyes, sir"
"Oh God, thank thee for lhis!" feryent.
ly exclaimed Desmond, as he pressed the
astonished child to his bosom, while his
tears fell thick and fast upon the glossy
curls of the trembling innocent.
Toms eyes almost started from their
sockets as he witnessed this affecting scene.
The poor fellow brushed away tear from
his cheeks with the sleeve Of his coat. and
going towards his master, he placed his
hand upon his shoulder and with the most
affecting simplicity said:
"Nebber mine, massa!-don't cry!"
Desmond led the child 10 seat and Ia.
king her upon his knee, and smoothing
back her beautiful curls, said with q auiy-
ering lip:
"And is it possible, that the child Of Lula
Wordsworth is SO poorly clad, aud wanders
about the streets Of this city at such hours
as llis! Tell me, my poor baby!-where's
"Home, sir" replied the child.
"And why do you wander about this
cold night?"
The child briefly narrated her story as
follows: She had been sent by her mother
thst afternoon to distant part of the city,
TO carry some needle work 10 a wealthy
doctor, who had been furnishing such work
for Lula. Being in very destitute circum.
stances, and needing immediate assistance,
she had told her little daughter 10 see the
doctor himself, and request him TO send the
amount due her for the work. The child
did not ind him at home, aud with a sad
heart retraced her steps homeward. She
could not bear the idea of her mothers dis.
appointment, if she should return home
without the expected amount, aud there
fore again called upon the doctor about
supper time.
lie was at home, but had nothing small.
er than I've dollar note, whereas the
amount due for her mothers work was on
ly seventy five cents. The child told the
doctor that her mother had not morsel of
food at home, and that she herself had
eaten nothing since morning.
lie then gave her something TO eat and
promised to call upon her mother in the
morning and pay her the debt.
The poor child, wearied and dsappoint.
ed, was on her way home, when she acci
denta!ly met gentleman whose wife was
also owing her mother small amount for
needle work. She mentioned it 10 him,
told him how very much it was needed and
besought him to give her at leas, twenty-five
cents Ha told has ,h t q,
change, but if she would wait until he could
step into tavern or saloon, near which he
was standing, he would change dollar
and give her half. The child gladly con.
sehted 10 his proposition, and he entered
tue saloon. She waited in the cold street
Tor the villain almost two hours. and finally
ieil asleep on the stone steps of the house
next to the hotel aud opposite the saloon,
which Desmond had observed from his
window. The arrival of Desmond at the
hotel had awakened her, aud not knowing
how long she had slept, she arose TO oo
home, but recollecting tho promised money
she thought she would sit down on the ho.
tel steps and wait little longer or the man
who had gone into the tavern. HEARING
the town clock strike twelve she became
alarmed at the thought of being out SO late,
1t was while weeping that Desmond had
heard that low sob, and, as the reader is
aware, went 10 her relief.
Desmond listened breathlessly to little
Lula's story, which told SO plainly the al
most utter destitution Of her mother.
lie took the nntasted supper from the
table, and wrapping it nicely 10 some tow.
els, he told Tom to take TIE child home.
and to tell Mrs. Wordsworth that an old
friend would call upon her in the morning.
Lie wrapped little Lula in warm blan.
ket, placed piece OF gold in Der hand,
kissed her aifectonately, put her in Toms
arms, and the next moment Tom left the
room, and Desmond was alone with his re-.
flections.
Truth is stranger than fiction, sure
m n nnnxI 90. Il