The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1860-04-19
CHAPTER II.

1t was cold, clustering evening in
November. A raging north-castcr.y y
Storm had prevailed through the day,
and as night shut in. the wind and
SIcet swept sullenIy through thc streets
and dreariy against The buildings The
shops were nearly all closed. The
lamps shed dim and Pickering light
ON the slippery pavement, over which,
occasionally, some passenger bending TO
the b'ast, would hurry ON his way. On
this evening, emerging from u narrow,
dreary-looking street, young female
was seen, struggling along in evident
haste. Turning the corner, and pas
sing two or three blocks, she asccndcI
the steps Of Il large house, before whose
door an expiring lamp threw out Il few
faint CLEANS After hcsitating n mo-
mcnt, as tito recover herself, she rang
tcnc DcII The door was shortly opened
by young man, who hastily inquired
her wants.
"Docs DR.. Herbert reside hcro?' was
askcd in timid and rather ircsolutc
voice.
"Iy namo is Herbert was the re
ply, in Il tone that evidently showed
that the speaker was not altogether
pleased with the call
Can you not visit aIady-a poor wo-
man. correcting hcrseIl-"who is dan
gcrously iIl?'
"Wi!l not tomorrow DOR and the
young man drew back, castinga signii:
icant glance at the driving slcot, as he
partly closed tho door, will not to-
morrow dol have an cngogc----'
"for the love Of God, sir, do not re-
fuse me-" interrupted the female, in q
trembling and bcsocching voicc-"My
mother is sick-vory sicli-tho distance
IS sEort-you shall be paid
"CNnnot you find some one else,
Miss!' said the physician in Il moro
yielding tone.
ooh no, sir. | have been refused by
two others. My mother tear is dying.
Oh, sir, you have II mother, you will
so with mc-if you have not, by her
memory charge you not to slight the
orphans prayer
And the speaker turned her face full
upon the young man. 1t was very pale,
but strikingIy beautiful.
Whether the affecting appeal or the
lovely countcnancc Influenced tncyoung
physician, it matters not, but he hcsita-
ted noIongcr. Hastily throwing on a
cloak, he followed the female. Although
she said the distance was not great, yet
to the young man it seemed intcrmina'
bic. After following her through two
or three obscure streets, and us they
were plunging down an un!ighted and
dismal looking alley, he inquired if they
had much farther TO go.
"This is the house, sir said the fc.
male, stopping before mean and shat
tered tenement, whose crazy frame
could hardly withstand the heavy gusts
that swept over it. Take care Of the
broken step, SIR
With this caution hc picked his way
into the low entry, and followed his
conductrcss up pair Of creaking stairs
prepared to witness . scene of squalid
wretchcdness. A door was opered and
he was introduced to dimly lighted
room. He started on his entrance
The signs ofpoverty he surely behcld I;
but it was not the poverty Of crime and
intemperancc-the disgusting and re-
voting exhibition he expected to en-
counter. There was no appearance OF
disordcr-nc unpleasant odor-no filthy
floor and dirty sack of straw for bed
too commonly found in the abodes of
want. He gazed about him in aston
ishmcnt. The scanty furniture was
plain, and of tho cheapest kind but ev-
erytbing was neat and well arranged.
A small tallow candle gave light TO tho