Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1859-08-05
Migttllaur0tl.j.
Bread Upon tho Waters.
BY HELEN FOREST GRAVES.

1t was gloomy room. in crowded
tenement house, low, narrow, aud un
wholesome; and pale faced child was
Its only inmate. She was confirmed
,nval.d-you might trace that in her hol-
low checks and the strange unnatural
luster of her large blue eyes-,he flame
of life was burning low on the altar of
her childish being; yet here she was
alone. The old armchair in which she
reclined, with one or two pillows. and a
rude pine box, was the sole support OF
her tiny blue veined feet. There was no
carpe, on the moldering floor, and in
more than one place, door ard window
had yielded to the remorssless hand Of
decay. and presented a most d.lapidated
aspect. Yet all the scanty furniture
was arranged as neatly as possible, and
there was even some faint attempts a.
taste, as in bit of gaily-colored chintz
spread over the chlld's foo:stool, and a
solitary flower placed in the window seat
where the sunbeams could touch its en-
erald leaves.
That flower; it had been poor Katys
long. Its royal beauty aud luxuriauce
seemed strangely out of lace in the
squalid, low-ceiled roomj yet it grew
and flourished as if in tho velvet sod Of
Bendemeer's stream. And little Katy
lay back in her comfortless chair. and
looked at the splendid rose which quiv-
cred like ruby drop among the leaves,
and watched the sunlight writing its
golden message on the crimson folds of
the blossom with a vague feeling Of
wonder.
1t was so strange that the radiant sun,
whose glory lay on marble pillars and
stately dwellings far araway, should come
to reep into her lonely, lonely room.
'.Is that you. jamie :" said she softly,
a. tho door opened, and a boy of twelve
came in.
"Yes. Do you feel any better, Katy ;
Are you tired Of being left alone :, And
the boy looked tenderly into her blue
eyes and parted the auburn hair from
her forehead, with loving touch.
Not very, but there is such weary
aching AROUND my heart, and sometimes
it sets me all on fire. How cool your
hand feels, Jamie,
Never mind, Katy. I've been saving
wood. and earned whole quarter, and
am going to lay it out in apples and Or
anges, to sell down town. I'll make a
mint of money, and then wont we have
good supper when mother comes home
from work ? shouldn't wonder if we
had bit Of cake and a bunch of grapes
over and above the medicine the dispen-
sary doctor ordered for you
Katy smiled and shook her head, as if
deprecating this piece of extravaganza.
Yes, we will, Katy resumed her
brother; "tain't often we taste anything
but dry bread and cheese. and haven t
forgotten that it's your birthday, sis
you're ten years old o-day. Besides
yoa need something to put shade of
color into these cheeks; the doctor said
you must have something to tempt your
appetite
He bent down to kiss the marble fore
head as he spoke.
How lovely that rose is. to be sure
It's almost as good as company to you.
Katy, isn't it: Are you willing
should leave you alone for little while
1 deafH
Yes, jamie, don't mind it much,
she answered, with deep, weary sigh,
but be back as soon as possible, please.
And her wistful, hollow eyes watched
him from the room with that earnest,