Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1859-01-27

ing. Consumption claimed her for his VIC
tim, and she died week ago, leaving them
orphans.
where are you living nowp
sat MIR. Hopkins's, the florists, who al
lowed us to offer thes flowers for sale.'
The very children he was telling me
about this morning. said Mr.. Lsrkins.
Mrs. Larkins still! held Lola clasped close
in her arms, as if she never would let her 90.
will you let your little sister stay with
me to-duyr she asked, turning to Hester.
You can call for her tonight, after you
have sold all your flowers
These are mine,' said Mr.. Larkins,
emptying the basket, and placing gold
piece in Hester's hand. You will have to
60 to Mr.. Hopkins for more.'
When Hester returned in the evening, a
most startling proposition met her. Mrs.
Larkins wished to adopt Lola, and separate
her entirely from her sister. She wished
her to be as her own child, with she told
her husband, 'no low Connections
Hester was stunned. Lola, her little 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
proE ised to be very beautiful. If she staid
with her, what was there before her but
poverty and ignorances If she went to the
wealthy merchant to be as his only child,
there was certainty Of education and COM
fort. 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 unfo lding
of her mind. The only one who must not
share in the triumphs Of her beauty and ac-
compishments must be her own sister. The
struggle was hard one; but true love trium
phed; and, putting aside all selfish cons:d-
erations, she decided for her sisters good.
Lola went to Mr.. LarkIns, where, for the
present. we will leave her.
Jake Hopkins, an old man, with only q
moderate income. widower 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 charm for the old
man. His bouquets never met so ready
sale as when her taste arranged them. The
vases sent to him to be flied for great par
ties were never SO loudly applauded as when
Hester grouped the sweet flowers. Then,
after work was over, there was no hand like
Hester'S to give him his tea, no voice like
hers TO read the evening paper. His pipe
was filled BY dainty white fingers; and, when
the news was read, that clear, sweet voice
could warble songs without number Put
ting aside and braveIy crushing down her
gTief for her mothers death, her longing for
her sister, the noble girl devoted ali her
thoughts to showing her gratitude to her old
friend. One earnest 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 mother,
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 theIe would hardly clothe her.
One morning, an advertisement in the
paper attracted her attention, and she de-
termined to answer it.
'Heigh ho!' sad Dir. Lawrence Holmes,
throwing aside his book and rising, 'this is
stupid work; my brains are all in maze.
Mr.. Holmes bit a cigar (probably to clear
bis brains) and sat down again, with yawn.
He was a lawyer, man about thirty-five,
and one of the most talented men at the
New York. bar. He was handsome, and
wealthy, and unmarried. Quite a danger
GUS individual the mothers decided. Quite
catch,' the young indies whispered. A
knock at his office door made him look up.
'Cone in! By Jove!' was his thought, swhat
a beautiful girl! what radiant eyes.
what a complexion! what hair! Will
you be seated!' he added, handing a
CHAIR.
You advertised for copyist,' said Hester
Crawford, tmidly, 'and called to see if
could not do what you require
'Will you write something for mer he
said, placing paper, pen and ink before her.
sAnything-your name. Venus! what
perfect little hand!' was the aside in his
mind.
Hester Crawford was written, in dis
tinct, 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 her arm, while Mr.
Holmes resumed his cigar, and unused thus:
Hester Crawford!, what a pretty name, and
how beautiful she is! Hester!' And he took
up the paper upon which the name was
written. 'An orphan, she says, and living
with an old florist, who was kind to her
when her mother died. So young, beauti-
full, and lovely. She must not come here;
it will set the fellows about this street to
talking. Poor gir.! she is friendless; will
! be her friend
! In the evening, Hester received a little
note, stating that, as it was inconvenient
for Mr.. Holmes to be interrupted at his
Office, boy would cali for the writing and
bring her any further orders.
Patiently the noble CIR toiled, day after
day. Always at the florists service, she
yet contriyed, by early rising, to write much;
and as her hand grew more accustomed to
the work. it wss astonishing with what ra.
pldity she copied the stiff papers. Three
months gave her enough to hire poor
piano and buy secondhand book of old
music. The old florists delight was almost
ludicrous. He insisted upon certsin hours
being devoted to practice and study, and al.
lowed her yet more time for The writing