Squatter sovereign., 1857-11-14

oca1 ucucdsh ildL WEelCneu covering was
more alive 10 pity than many which throb
beneath silken zone so she stopped.
and in kind voice demanded the cause
of the poor woman's distress. In tones
broken by grief and pain, her little story.
was told in few words. She was dying
she said, of want-her husband, after
a long sickness. had been buried only a
week before. leaving her friendIess and
forlorn-and that, unable longer to pay
the rent ola wretched cellar,the cruel land
lord had thurst her forth with her child into
the ptiless streets to die-for die she knew
she must. there was such load upon her
heart, and were it not FOR her poor little
child. she cared not how soon she was laid
at rest In the quiet grave yard. Nelly
spoke words of comfort 20 her, and assis-
ing her 10 rise, bade her lsaxs upon her
and .hen taking the little attenuated hand
of the child in hers, she led them to her
miserable abode. That shelter which the
rich man denied, the Rag -gatherer freely
gave, and with it--kindness
In her work of benevolenee it seemed
as if renewed strength and agility were
given her. She placed her on straw
palet-coarse, but cleaniy she chafed
her hands and poured her out cup of
water. which she succeeded in getting
her to drink nor. in the meanwhile, had
she forgotten to give into the hands OF the
famishing child a generous slice OF bread
How tenderly she smoothed the pillow of
the poor young creature, and bathed her
throbbing temples! But all would not Do
life was evidently ebbing fast away.
Remembering there was physician not
far off. she hastened with all speed TO sum-
mon him. There was apparently strug-
gle with this disciple of Galen at crossing
the Threshold of one so miserable, for on
tiptoeing careful steps he enlered-just
glanced toward the bed-pronounced the
patient well enough and would have re-
treated. but The long fingers of Nelly
seized his arm with the grip of tigress
--her black eyes flashing both with an
ger and contempt, as she said
Stay! and fear not your services will
go unpaid. Here is gold for you! Save
this poor woman, if in your power, for
the sake of that helpless babe.''
Although the eyes of :he doctor sudden
| ~ oppened wide at the exigency of the
case. and although he felt her pulse. and
| administered some soothing stimulant, it
needed more than the hand of man TO
strengthen anew the silver cord, Ere
morning she died. with her last breath
| commencing the orphan to the protection
of the old woman. "As God reads nv
heart, promise you your child shall be as
| my ossp = whispered Nelly. bending over
.S>c...I +
aud Keep her r. D harm. All that one
like me can do, will ("
The mother fixed her eyes upon the
good creature. tried to speak her thanks,
and then ciasping her child 10 her bosom,
her wearied spirit sank to rest. The Rag
gatllerer then prepared the body for us
final bed-from her boarded gains she
purchased decent coffin. and then when
all was ready, she called in clergyman
to perform the last mournful rites. In an
obscure corner of >. Potters' Field the
young stranger was buried-unwept-
unknown!
As the hearse disappeared, Nelly again
bolted her door. and taking the weeping
child upon her knee strove TO comfort her.
She gazed long and tenderly upon the
sweet face of the little orphan, and it was
one which we'll repaid the scrutiny. She
was gentle, timid child, with great deli
cacy of form and feature. Light, golden
hair, waved in sill1en ringlets over brow
and neck of dazzling fairness-eyes OF
beautiful deep blue. seeming. from their
mournful cast, to bespeak at once your
love and pity, and rosy little mouth. in
viting the kiss it SO sweetly returned. Her
mother had called her Violet. and Nelly
had asked no ether name. And now this
poor old creature, so long an object OF con-
tempt, and even contumely by the crowd,
had found something upon which to law
ish her pent up Affections being more
helpless than herself to cherish-she so
long friendless and unsightly to the eye,
received now the artless caresses OF this
pure. lovely child. Tie walls Of her
dwelling, late so dismal and desolate, were
suddenly filled with life and music! From
the day she had sworn to protect the little
Violet. old Nelly seemed changed be-
ing. Her tones were now low and gen.
tie, her footsteps noiseless, as if she feared
her happiness an illusion that the least
rudeness might dispel, or that the little be-
ing she had learned so TO love, was but
vision which breath might dissolve : and
old and decrepit as SHE was. her goodness
tiiuQc net iOsCig HI eiiO eyes VI euC NHio'
As Violet grew older, the old woman
gradually Withdrew from her habitual
rounds and devoted her time more to the
instruction of her young charge. She
taught her to read and spell correctly
guided her little hand in learning her to
write. and was continually storing her
mind with lessons of truth and purity
Words of such beauty seemed strange. is-
suing from the mouth of one whose life
appeared TO have been a scene OF cruel
toll and privation. She instructed her in
| all branches Of needle work, even to the
finest embroidery-yes those fingers. used
10 plucking the rags and rubbish from un-
savory sewers. now threaded the variaga-
ted worsteds. and beauteous buds glowed
beneath her hand
Allow few years to pass unnoted. and
Violet is again before u.s. She had now