Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1857-06-24

in italy, somewhere, and while she was out
with the child, then only two years DID, for the
sake of the air, there came big row in the
CITY, and the father was in the middle OF It,
and got kilt; and when she reached the house
all in fright, sure it was on fire, and the moth
er of it gone and never was she able to find
her at all. So she kept the child and comes to
America with it; for she heard tell how the
streets here was paved with gold; and when
she came and found nary gold nor food but for
the working, she had to SO to work as all we
poor creathers do; but niver a bit would she
let the poor child do for itself, but waited on it
like a slave, and only taught It to sing Gas its
mother did before it," she said. And last year
Theresa died. This poor little creature took
on so bad that took her meself, only I'll be
bringing her up differently intirely. I'd tache
her to earn her bread at any rate; and sol
sends her out every day to sing to tho great
folks, and makes her help me to carry round
the clothes; and that is all, Sir"
at was very good in you Bridget, to take
the little orphan. You have saved her from
sad fate. You will be rewarded-dcpcnd on it."
Bridget raised her eyebrows and dropped a
courtesy, while little, Casta Diva" as Mr.. Par
ton then and ever since has called her, hid her
face in the bed, and sobbed to hear her own
story related. The kind gentleman looked at
her tenderly, and then continued:
"I have plan for the poor child, which will
at once relieve you of your charge, and repay
YOU for yonr generosity. Good night, little
one, I'll come tomorrow. Dry your tears, for
| will make you happy. Here, Bridget, is
some money for you, and be sure you do not
send her out to sing again. have something
very much better for her tedo." =. @;st'" Y ?
An hour later, and Mr.. Parton is again seat
ed in his dressing gown once more folded around
him. The only difference is that he smiles in
stead of sighing as he did before.
"Ah, YES" lie says, II see my way clear.
I can now, without hesitation, call on Madame
Victor in her room, to interest her about my
little Casta Diva. will tell her the story, and
engage her to cultivate the voice of my little
protege. will see her tomorrow morning.
and perhaps she will accompany me to Brld5et's
lodging. Not very romantic walk to invite
the lady of my heart to share, but the clrcum-
stances are peculiar" '.i,.f
"Now think of it, / must engage of my
landlady the little bedroom next to mine.s l.
am determined to adopt that singing cherub
for my own. Twill change her name to CaSta
Diva Par. on. If sweet Madame Victor only
sees in her what do, we shall be an amazing,
y happy family. feel like a husband and
father already. I am quite sure to find use
enough for my money, after all"
And so lie goes to bed and dreams of his
future joys till he fairly laughs aloud in his
sleep.
Now it is morning; and if you will put your
head out of your door, you can see him gong
along the hall. He stops at No. G-knocks gent
ly but the rich toned piano, touched by a,
thrilling hand, docs not allow so love like tap
to be heard This time lie knocks louder; the
music stops, and the door is opened by beau
tiful woman who smilingly invites him to enter
Mr. Parton has stayed in there q great while,
and didn't ask her to play or sing once during
the time. ~. j. sy1=
Now the door opens again, and they come
out together; he in his overcoat and hat she
in her cloak and velvet bonnet. He looks very
much excited, and she looks pale and trembles
so she can scarcely talk. She takes his offered
arm, and goes down stairs and out the street
door. l believe they are going to Bridget'S.
And so they were.
Good Mr.. Parton walks slowly with the
sweet lady, for she has every reason to trcm-
BILE; she believes she is little Lauretta's man.
ma for she has been telling her friend how her
husband was great politician, and when they
burned his house they threw her into prison,
where she remained full year, and only es-
capped when in sunny Italy the prison doors
were unbarred to all.
She had sought frantically for her child, but
in vain; and believing that both Lauretta and
her nurse were crushed in the same mob that
killed her husband, she came to America to
earn livelihood among hospital strangers by
her musical education.
Madame Victor believes that Lauretta is her
child because their two stories are so strange
ly alike. Five years have passed since she lett
Italy; but she knows her eyes will not deceive
her. Her baby's features are most mdehbly
engraved upon her heart.
Her friend supports her up the five flights OF
stairs, and there she stops to take breath, and
to, nerve herself for either intense happiness or
heavy disappointment.
They are about to enter the room, when
little voice grcets her ear singing, with wonder
lul power and expression, a melody which she
herself used to sing in her own sunny land.
She grasps the arm of her friend.
s;Oh, wait,n she whispers, "let me try" and
with great effort, she completes the yet un-
finished strain in a voice scarce surpassed by
angels.
lie opens the door.
Lauretta stands in the centre of the room,
with emotion, long repressed. Her mothers
voice has reached spot in her little heart
which yibrates on her memory brightly. :,
Madame Vict-r sinks into chair, and gazes
long and earnestly upon the little motionlesS
figure then she stretches cut her arms, and
whispers in tremulous tone, "come here"
.1nwly o1vancec. and when she is
close to the beautiful lady, shenestles her head
upon her bosom, and draws q deep sigh.
"Tell me your whole name, my sweet little
one"
"Lauretta Victor"
The lady presses the little form still closer. ..
;sDarling, am your mother"
"I know it," sighed the child.
Yoa know it, my angel q,
eyes"
"And how O. ,.a...
"I have seen you in my dreams and I called
you mother, and when you sang just now it
brought it all back"
Good Mr.. Parton went to the window and
wiped his eyes.
Once again we see him sitting in his easy
chair before the bright coal fire. By his side
sits a beautiful lady one hand lies in his, and
the other is tenderly stroking his hair; but her
ewes arc resting upon little fairy who sits at
the piano, silently dreaming over some Of Han
del's music, which her apapa has brought home
to her" .....-.....,,f -. H..
The lady is. his wife.
The fairy is his "Casta Diva" -
aag> Some descendant of Solomon has wisely