Delaware inquirer. (Wilmington, Del.) 1859-18??, 1861-09-28

- Dear me now Lne Wlnu DlOWSli bOlilO-
pulsed with Il very feminine shrng of 'he
shoulders, as drew the curtains closer. awe
half mind to throw myself on tho lounge,
which looks SO provokingy comfortable this
evening, and not attempt an encounter with
the clements. It's absurd to think they'll ex-
pect me such night as this In short, ! won't
tempt an influenza by showing my face outside
the door, was the conclusion of my mon-
logue.
Iremcmber that l wheeled up the sofa in
comfortable proximity to the fire, located the
lamp SO that lis rays fell softly upon the
volume intended 20 commune with, and that
] had settled myself for a long quiet winters
evening.
But it would not do. My eyes wandered
listlessly along the pages they could not en-
gage my attention. A strange unaccountable
feeling of restlessness and anxiety seemed to
possess me. At last | resoluiely closed the
book, and q few minutes later Was iu Broad
way, mentally ccnsurifg my FOLLY irSllMa j
TO feeling could not resist. it!sI s.ef
All me looking back through the eight
years that lie between that weary night and
tue present, how clearly can | discover the
great Fathers love in it all
"What is it you want here little boy |'-l
see him now Just as though | had seen him
this morning, and the light from the tall win
dow is falling on him just us ii fell then, re-
vealing his ragged dress and pale, pinched
features, and the cold rain is dripping of his
thin brown curls, as il did then. Itisa strange,
mournful picture--the dark ground in the
ck-ground, and the little ragged boy, and
the brilliant lights, and the great store, with
all sorts of rare confecti0ns, in front. No
wonder it touched my heart. The boy started
as laid my hand gently on his shoulder, and
looking up with his wild, eager, bright eyes
into my face
''0h, sirl" he said, after u moments earnest
perusn of my features. ''l was thinking II
only could carry one ol those cakes home to
Ellen; she is very sick And--and (the little
fellows lips quivered) we haven't had any
thing TO eat for two days
did not speak another word but caught
hold of the child, and pulled him after me into
the store.
I" Hand me down n plate of those cakes
cried to the astonished clerk, who turned with
more than ordinary alacrity TO fulfil my re-
quest. drew the boy into small sitting
room at one end of the establishment. 'Now
eat these MS fast as you can, and then tell me
who Ellen is.'
His hungry look, the strange avidity with
which he grasped the food, almost wruug tears
from my eyes.
" Ellen is my sister--iny only sister since
the baby died. We are all alone now. Last
month, Just after they buried mother, she grew
sick. / spose ii was because she cried SO
much and she's been growing worse all the
time"
And there is nobody to take care OF her
now but you, little fellow n
"Nobody but me-the money mother left is
all gone, you see, sir, and though sometimes
earn sixpence by selling papers or cleaning
sidewalks, couldn't leave Nelly for the last
week, she grew so much worse. Q, sir, how
IL ...ft nnt=
want too"
swell you needn't, my boy, want no other
thanks -, - .-.s.- eniapmhnt of them
"Bnt mAynt take the rest hdmo 20 NfIlyf 4
She'll he frightened, I'm gone SO long. ., sir
ii you'd only go with me-"
"I'll come and see you and Nelly to-mor-
row. said, 'f you'll tell me where you live,
and now while you are eating the remainder
of your cakes I'll get something that Nelly
will like better.R
procured basket which saw well stock
ed with variety OF fruits and confections
most likely to tempt the appetite of m invalid
and adding to these all the money had with
me, | returned to the child.
oGo home to Nelly with these as fast as you
can," said, "and tell her that will come to
see her tomorrow morning. Now, be man,
my little boy, and take good care of sister
Ellen till them"
|
his large wondering eyes roamed ovei the
| basket "And she had been moaning in her
sleep after an orange the whole week. y, Sir
we will pray God to bless you for all this, and
He will for mother used to say He would hold
those in everlasting remembrance who forget
not the widow and the orphan" and tears of
mingled gratitude and delight were showerng
down the fellows face as we parted.
| The next morning Hattie, received that
l 49, -. Ga tINnr Il
1 ing bedside. had, OF course, no time to full
fiji my engagement with the little orphans, in
whom had become so greatly interested in
| deed, the mournful circumstances which drew
me once more to the home of my childhood
banished them from my mind.
Il YOU will look down to that time, my little
sister, you will remember that April was weay-
| ing her green carpet over the meadows before
we parted, and returned to the city to COM
plete my studies, and then to enter that service
in which, before my fathers dying bed, had
solcmny pledged to spend all the life that God
should grant me.
had forgotten the name of the boys resid-
ence but know that | made several attempts
to discover it after my return to the city, all OF
which proved Intellectual.
1t was the sunset of bright day in the early
May-time, and even in the great city looking
fairer for the sunshine that plated the house
tops with gold, and swept in golden flakes and
dimples alorg the pavements up which was
passing with some fellow students to supper.
"Now Marshall remember to call for us in
time for the lecture commences Mt seven, and
il will certainly be crowded." called out one .oi
nv companions, as we reached the corner
where the path diverged.
| bowed my assent and adieu, and was hurry
ing forward, when my coat was suddenly grasp
ed, and an eager, but timid voice said, "Please,
sir, is your name MarshallW
turned and looked at the speaker. II was
little girl apparently about ten years of age
her long curls falling in bright, tangled mass
about her small, sorrowful looking face, while
her large blue eyes were fastened with KIND
of painting eagerness upon my own.
@Yes, that is my name. And what do you
want with me, my little grl?" l querled
greatly surprised at this singular encounter.
"0h, SIR do you remember little boy whom
you met one evening last winter, who told yor
he had sister Nelly, and -" The mystery
was at once cleared up.
ayes, YES, | remember Il allr interrupted
her "And you are Nelly, | suppose " and
surveyed the child with enhanced interest
her ragged garments hard bore n very legibl
history-a history of sharp poverty and bite
suffering
40, am so glad--so very glad, sir ~ an
the light that broke into her little careworl
features was beautiful to behold.
, al was almost sure it must be you whe
the gentleman called your name, and you look
ed just as Willie said you did. o, sir, hay
looked and watched and waited for you S
: many days, that had almost given up hop
1 ing"
5 "Poor child have been out of town, or
{ would have gone to you rs promised, Br
where is Willie now and what do you war
l with me2"
e was well nigh ashamed after the latte