The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1859-02-03

her sister. She wished her to be as
her own child, "with,'''' she. told her
husband, "no low connections"
Hester was stunned. Lola, her lit
tie sister, the only thing left for her to
love, to be taken from her entirely
She asked for day to think about it,
and taking her sister by the hand, left
| the house. In her own little room, she
thought more calmly of the proposal.
Her sister was very young, and prom.
ised to be very beautiful. If she staid
with her, what was there before her
but poverty and ignorance ?" If she
went to the wealthy merchant to be
as his only child. there was certainty
of education and comfort. Bitterly
rose before her the condition of these
advantages. She must never see her,
never clasp her in her arms, and call
her sister; she must not watch the un-
folding of her mind. The only one
who must not share the triumph of her
beauty and accomplishments must be
her own sister. The struggle was a
hard one; but true love triumphed
putting aside all selfish considerations,
she decided for her sisters good. Lo-
la went to MIR. Larkins, where, for the
present, we will leave her.
Jake Hopkins, an old man, with
only moderate income, a widowcr,
and childless, was only too glad to
have Hester remain with him. Her
gentle manners, her low sweet voice,
and her touching gratitude for his
kindness, all had their charms for the
old man. His bouquets never met so
ready sale as when her taste arranged
them. The vases sent to him to be
filled for great parties was never so
loudly applauded rs when Hester
grouped the sweet flowers. Then, af-
ter work was over, there was no hand
like Hester's to give him his tea, no
voice like hers to read the evening pa
per. His pipe was filled with dainty
white fingers; and when the news was
read, that clear, sweet voice could
warble songs without number. Put
ting aside and bravely crushing down
her grief for her mothers death, her
longing for her sister, the noble girl de-
voted all her thoughts to showing her
gratitude to her old friend. One earn
est wish dwelt in her heart 1t was to
finish her education, Through her
fathers life she had attended the
best schools; and, thanks to her moth
er, she was no mean musician. In her
present home, there were no books, no
piano; and she determined to have
both. But how? The sale of flowers
was not enough. All she made there
would hardly clothe her.
One morning, an advertisement in
the paper attracted her attention, and
she determined to answer it.
Heigh-hor' said Mr.. Lawrence
Holmes, throwing aside his book and
rising, "this is stupid work ; my brains
are all in maze"
Mr.. Holmes lit cigar, (probably to
clear his brains) and sat down again,
T with yawn. He was a lawyer, man
about thirty-fve, and one of the most
} talented men at the New York bar.
He was handsome, wealthy, and un-
!, married. "Quite dangerous individu-
: all" the mothers decided. "Quite a
: catch," the young ladies whispered.
A knock at his office door made him
look up. "Come in! By jove p was
the thought, "what a beautiful girl
J what radiant eyes! what complex
ion! what hair! Win you be seated?''
J he added, handing chair
"You advertised for copyist," said
Hester Crawford, timidly, "and | called
! to see if l could not do what you re.
quire."
"Will you write something forme ?''
he said, placing paper, pen, and ink
} before her. "Anything-your name
Venus what a perfect little hand p
was the aside in his mind.
chester Crawford" was written, in a
distinct, clear. hand, upon the paper.
"That will do!''
; Hester found the terms were liberal
, and she went home happy, with a roll
of writing and blank paper under hel
| arm, while Mr.. Holmes resumed his ci
J gar, and mused thus: "sHester Craw
, ford! what a pretty name, and how
beautiful she is! Hester!' Ard he
took up the paper upon which the
: name was written. can orphan, she
7 says, and living with an old florist, who
was kind to ner when her mother died
, So young, beautiful, and lovely. She
must not come here; it will set the fel
lows about the streets to talking ;
! Poor girl! she is friendless: will be
a friend to her.'
: In the evening, Hester received q
r little note, stating that it would be in
! convenient for Mr. Holmes to be inter
: rupted at his Office, a boy would cal
} for the writing and bring her further
: orders. eloD aF
Patiently the noble girl toiled, day
after day, by early rising, to write
much; and her hand grew more ac.
customed to the work, it was astonish.
} ing with what rapidity she copied the
: stiff papers. Three months enabled he,
to hire a poor piano and buy second
, hand book of old music. The old for
: lists delight was almost ludicrous. He
insisted upon certain hours being de
voted to practice and study, and NJ
: lowed her yet more time for the writ
ing duties. Mr.. Holmes called occa
sionally, to give some directions abou,
, the law papers, and when he heard
her desire to improve herself insisted
: unon sendintr her some bo>.I