Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-07-08


got kilt; and when she reached the house, all in
fright, sure it was on fire and the mother of il
gone, and niver was she able to find it. So she
kept the child and comes to America with it;
for she heard how the streets were paved with
gold. and when she came and found nary gold
nor food but for the working, she had to 60 to
work, as all we poor creatures do; an she took
in washing in the one room down stairs; but
niver bit would she let the child do for itself
but walet on it like slave, and only taught il
to sing, 'as its mother did before it, she said
and last year Theresa died. This poor creature
took on so bad that took her myself, only III
be bringin' her up differently, intirely; I'll teach
her to earn her bread, at any rate, and so send
her ont every day, to sing to the great folks
an makes her help me to carry around the
clothes and that is all, sir"
ut was very good in you, Bridget, to take the
little orphan; you nave saved her from SAD
fate you will be rewarded, you may depend.
Bridget raised her eyebrows and dropped
courtesy, while little Casta Diva, as Mr.. Patron
then, and ever since called her, hid her face ii
the bed and sobbed to hear her own story re
lated. The kind gentleman looked ct her ten
derly, and then continued: .,
NJ have plan for this poor child, which vii
relieve YOU of your charge, and repay you fol
your goodness of heart. Good night, little one
III come tomorrow. Dry your tears, for vii
yet make you happy Here. Bridget, is some
money for you, and be sure You do not send hel
out to sing again. have something better fo
her to do"
Bridget dropped another courtesy and he
mouth opened wide-for she was all mystlhet
and bewildered.
An hour later and Mr.. Patron is again seated
in an easy chair before his bright coal fire, witt
| his dressing gown once more folded around him
The only difference is that he smiles instead o
signing as he did before.
VAS, yes" he says, 81 see my way clear.
can now, without hesitation, call upon MADAME
Victor in her room, to interest her about m.
little Casta Diva. will tell her the story ant
engage her to cultivate the voice of my LITTLE
portege. / will see her tomorrow morning, ant
perhaps she will accompany Inc to Bridget
| lodging. Not very romantic walk to invite
the lady of my heart to share, but then the cir
cumstances are peculiar"
"Now | think OF. it, must engage Ofmy land
lady the little bedroom next to mine. am de
termined to adopt that singing cherub for m,
own. will change her name to Casta Diva
Patron. 1t sounds MUSICAL and she is musca
herself. Ifsweet Madame Victor only sees il
her what do, we shall he an amazing happy
family. declare feel like a husband and faith
or already. | shall find enough to do with m.
money after ALL"
| And so he goes to bed and dreams of his fn
ture joys till lie fairly laughs aloud in his sleep
| Now it is morning, and if you will put you
head out of your door, you can see him walking
along the hall. He stops at No. 8-knocks gent
| ly; but the rich toned piano. touched by thrill
| ling hand, does not allow so love-like tap Il
be heard. This time he knocks louder, the music
stops, and the door is opened by beautiful wo
man, who smilingly invites him to enter. Well
| don't wonder he fell in love with her! They
closed the door Let's you and 60 peep at the
KEY hole and hear what they have to say. III
never tell-will you2 Hark Well, after all
can't tell what they said now; because promis
ed wouldn't; but Patron has staid in there &
great while, and he don't ask her to sing or play
all the time.
Now the door opens again and they come on
together; he in his overcoat and hat; she in he
cloak and velvet bonnet. He looks very mucl
excited and she looks pale and trembles so sht
can hardly speak. She takes his offered arm
and goes down stairs and out of the street door
i
And so they are.
Good Mr.. Patron walks slowly with the swee
lady, for she has every reason 10 tremble; sht
believes she is Lauretta's mamma for she ha'
been telling her friend how her husband wa:
killed in dreadful mob one day, because he wa.
great politician, and when they had burned
his house they took and threw her into prison
where she remained whole year. and only
made Eer escape when during the terrible trou
BILE in Italy, the prison doors were unbarred t.
all.
She sought franticaly for her child, but ir
vain, and believing that both lauretta and he
nurse were crushed in the mob that killed hel
husband, she came to America to try to earn {
livelihood among the hospiiable strangers by
her fine musical education and uncommon voice
Madame Victor believes that Lauretta is hel
child, because their stories are 50 strongly alike
Five years have passed since she left Italy; but
she knows that her eyes viii. not deceive her,
Her baby's features are indelibly engraved upor
her heart.
Her kind friend supports her up five flights o
stairs. and she stops to take breath and to nerve
herself for either intense happiness or disappoint
ment.
They are about to enter the room, when 6
little voice greets her ears singing with wonder
ful power and expression, an Italian melody
which the lady herself used to sing In her OWE
sunny land. She stops and grasps the arm o.
her friend.
"Oh, watt" she whispers, "let me try" with
great effort, she continues and completes the
unfinished strain in voice that all angels might
not exceed.
He opens the door.
Lauretta stands in the centre of the floor, O.
lone, pale and agitated; her great eyes dilatet
with emotion long repressed. Her mothers voice
has reached spot in her little heart, which vi5
rates on her memory like glimpse of Heaven
Madame Victor sinks upon chair, and gaze:
long and earnestly upon the motonless figure
then she stretches out her arms and whispers
''come here"
Lauretta slowly advances, and when she i:
close to the lady, she nestles her head upon hel
bosom, and draws long deep sigh.
''Tell me your name. sweet One."
The lady presses the little form still closer.
"Darling, | am your mother!"
81 know it." sighed the child.
"You know it, my angela"
YES; lave seen you in my dreams, and al
ways called you mother and when you sang
just now it brought it all back |"
Good Mr.. Patron went to the window ant
wiped his eyes,
Once again We see him sitting in his easy
chair before the bright coal fire. By his side sit:
a beautiful lady-one hand lies in his, and the
other was tenderly stroking his hair, but hel
eyes are resting upon the little fairy who sit,
at the piano, silently dreaming over some O
Handeps music which her papa has brought
home to her.
The lady is his wife.
The fairy is his "Casta Diva"
An honest backwoodsman, unacquainted with
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