True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1858-06-30
q Raglan, Editor and Proprietor.

her meself, only Ill be bringing her up
intirely; I'll tache her 10 earn her bread
at any rate and so send her out every
day to sing for the great folks. and makes
me help carry round the clothes and that
is all sir" ...4 81 .,y ..
"It was very good in you. Bridget,
to take the little orphan. You have saved
her from sad fate. You will be re.
warded, you may depend"
Bridget raised her eyebrows and drop.
ped courtesy; while little "Casta Diva"
as Mr.. Parton 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 ten.
derly, and then continued: s"..
81 have a plan for this poor child,
which will at once relieve you of your
charge, and repay yon for for your good
ness Of heart Good night, little one
I'll come tomorrow. Dry your tears,
for | will yet make you happy. Here,
Bridget is some money for you, and be
sure you do not send her out to sing again.
| have something better for her TO do"
Bridget dropped another courtesy, and
her mouth opened wide, for she was all
myslifed and bewildered.
An hour later, and Mr.. Parton is again
seated in his easy chair before his bright
coal fire, with dressing gown once more
folded around him. The only differ
ence is that he smiles instead of signing
as he did before. ~
"Ah yes" he says see my way clear.
| can now, without hesitation, call upon
Madam Victor in her room, to interest
her about any little Casta Diva. 1 will
tell her the story and engage her 10 cul.
tivate the voice Of my little pro,ege.
will see her tomorrow morning, and per.
haps she will accompany me 10 Bridget's
lodging. Not very romantic walk tc
invite the lady Of my heart to share, but
then the circumstances are peculiar.
"Now think of it, I must engage Of
my landlady the little bed room mex. to
fmine.. l am determined 10 adopt that
singing cherub for my own. Twill change
her name to Cas,a Diva Parton 1t sounds
musical, and she is music itself. II sweet
Madam Victor only sees in her what
do we shall be an amazing happy family,
l declare, | feel like husband and "a
ther already. I shall find enough 10 Dc
with my money after all.
| And SO lie goes to bed and dreams o
his future joys till he fairly laughs alout
in his sleep.
| Now ii is morning, and il you will pa
your head out of your door, you can SCI
him going along the hall. He stops a
No. 6-knocks gently; but the rich tonet
piano, touched by a thrilling hand, doe
not allow so love.lke a knock to be heard
This time he knocks louder; the musi
stops and the door was opened by beau
tiful moman who smilingly invites him I,
enter. Well, I don't wonder be fell il
love with her! They have closed tn
door. Let's you and | 60 and peep in a
the key hole and hear what they say
will never tell, will you! Hark! Well
} after all, I can't tell wha. they said now
because l promised | wouldn't, but Mr.
; Parton has slaid in there grea. while
, and he didn'. ask her TO play or sing ono
all the time. "a.
Now the door opens again, and the,
! come ont together, he in his overcoat an
hat, she in her cloak and velvet bonne
' He looks very much excited, and sh
looks pale, and tremblss so she ca
scarcely speak. She takes his offere
arm and goes down stairs and out of th
street door. ! do believe they are goin
to Bridget's.
> And SO they were.
i Good Mr.. Parton walks slowly wit
the sweet lady, for she has every reaso
: to tremble she believes she is Lauretta
mamma; for she has been telling he
friend how her husband was killed in
. mob one dreadful day, because he was
grea, politician, and when they burne
= his house they took her and threw he
I into prison. where she remained who
year, and only made her escape wher
. during the terrible trouble in Italy, th
prison doors were unbarred 10 ALL ,.
= She had sought frantically for her chil'
: but in vain; and believing that bot
y y Lauret,a and her nurse were destroyed
u the same mob that killed her husban,
!" she came 10 America 10 try 10 eal
!. livelihood among the hospitable stral
= gers by her fine musical education an
- uncommon voice. l6le. ,..ssq
9 Madame Victor believes that Laurel
! is her child, because their two stories a
e SO strangely alike. Five years have pa
sed since she left Italy but she is con
i dent her eyes viii not deceive her. H
10 baby's features are indellibly engrav,
W W upon her heart arl 2pg,
I'd Her kind friend supports her up 4,
or five fights Of stairs, and then she stops
10 take breath, aud to nerve herself for eth
id intense happiness or heavy dlsappoir
m rient.
he 3aThey were about 10 enter the roc
On when q little voice greets her ear siDgi
ng with wondrous power and expression,