Brookville American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1858-1861, 1858-12-24

Now came the hardest blow OF ail. NJ
husband coolly informed me that he wa
no Count that his name was Dugarde
aud that he had been valet 70 noble
men all his life. He had married m
in hopes of sharing my dowry, and nov
quietly refused to support me. Fo
ten years, we livod 'lifo of utter un
happiness. You were born, and nance
Charley, and named for my fhvorit'
brotherand sister. earned something
by selling tho Jewels | had brough
from home. and by assisting my hus
band in giving French lessons. Hac
he but loved me, could still have beer
happy; but he treated me with cold,
ness, sometimes with cruelty, and con-
tinually rcproachcd me with my power
ty, and failure in winning pardon from
my father. AT last, he died. In oil
these long years, had heard no word
of love from his lips; but on his death
bed he spoke TO me tenderly and gently
Anna, | have long 70. given him all his
unkindness; do you the same. Alter
he died, again sought my father. In
vain; he refused 10 see me. For three
years more, supported my children
then came this sickness. Two years
have lived In abject poverty, support
cd by charity and the little you could
earn. Anna, my child, / will soon
cease to be burden upon your young
hands"
Mother, do not speak so. You break
my heart
Anna, my dear child, who will care
for you when am gone 2 God bless
and pity my orphan children ! IL is
Christmas Day. This very day. fifteen
years ago, left my fathers house.
We were having gay party, Tor
Christmas Day is v'so my birthday;
and was on that evening seventeen
years old. lep my my home In a
rich dress, glipering with jewels, and
my hair dccked with flowers; and now
die in sarrst, on hard mattress,
shiveringw cold. Then there were
soft iu,sto envelope my thinly clad
form and cover my bare neck aud arms I
no., rags cover me, and perish with1
10 cold. Father in heaven, my pun.
hshment 10 just, but 1t is bitterl Anna,
what O'Clock is it2
1T is after dark, mother The fre-|
light is all that makes the room light
All, here comes Charley I ai,
A lad, year or two younger thnuI
Anna, came bounding into the room.
Mother Anna merry Christmnd|
have a new jacket and five dollars n'|
money; but | have better news tbaij|
that. There was an old gentleman i'll
hr. Perkins store apd, ,whsn~lae heard]|
~ |QtheF lNeA slckt 1ietuIdme W evme
to hIs house, and he would give me
some eJfruit-iruit, dear mother. at Christ
masl--and some wine and jelly. Anna,
get your bonnet and the basket, and
como. / know the house; he led me
past IL; it Ia not far from hero.
Shall 20, mothcrY' said Anna.
Yea, dear; but come back soon; ]
feel very weak and i'll tonight; and /
long for jelly or wine; 1t will give me
new strength. Goodnight, children.
They started on their crrand. An.
ma, oppressed by the sad story her
mother had related, and filled with dark
forcbodings, could scarcely keep pace
with her merry hearted brother, who,
filled with Joy aths Christmas present,
aud longing To carry the promised
danties to his mother, bounded along,
unhcsding tho falling snow and the cold
wind, which blew open his poor Jacket,
and nipped his fingers and toes. His
precious new jacket and the Ave dollars
had been left in his mothers hands.
"A merry Christmas ! was shouted in
clear voices by all the children in Mr..
Leclere's rich mansion. Toys lay scat.
tered in careless profusion upon the
velvet carpet; books were on the hand.
some table; every luxury was in the
room. Lola Leclere sat with her arms
around her eldest child. looking at pic.
lures; and little Nellie and Harry play.
cd about tho room. Aunt Jenny, Mr..
Lcclere's sister, petted the only boy,
encouraging him in his noisy glee;
while Chole came from the front door
every few moments, bearing some new
gilt; now IL was doll for Nellie, now
u rich cake, covered with white frost.
ing, for oil, now drum for Harryl now
book for Miss Lola. There was Joy
and gladness, and truly merry Christ.
mas, in that house. The day few by
with Joy and feasting; and in tho even
| ing tho house stood dark and deserted.
There was large party ut Lola's fathers.
The family, children and all, wcrc to
assemble; and thi.her this happy house.
hold had gone.
Now, reader, you and | arc priviIeg.
ed persons; and we will step In before
the other guests arrive. We find only
two pen sous IN the parlor; one an old
gentleman. the other "a lady between
thirty and forty years OF ago, but still
beautiful, with sweet face and low,
sweet voice. The gentleman Is pacing
up aud down tho rooms, while tho lady
arranges some music upon the grand
piano. Luxury can scarce devise n
more superb apartment. IL islong. very
long, and wide. Velvet carpets, rich
iurnIture,s gildod frames containing
costly pictures, velvet curtains, who's,
rich crimson Is subdued Ly fine lace
coverings, everything spe ks vt larg,
wealth. The ladys dress isot rich silk
aud costly jewels glittcring in her baii
aud on her round white arn.. These
the occupants ut the room, arc Mr.
Pomel oyh hnd his laughter Anna who l.
the hostess OF the expected company
for Mrs, Pomeroy has lain " her qulel
grave for ten years. Suddealy the gen
tleman paused in his wall, and spok,
to his daughter My dear, there wat
a child in the store thismorning, who's,