New Oregon plaindealer. (New Oregon, Iowa) 1859-1866, 1862-01-17
NEW OREGON IOWA, JANUARY II. 1862,

L =
from Europe yesterday, and for the
first time heard of-the blue eyes were
fllinr fast--'of dear Mrs. BARCLAYS
troubles. ! came here instantly to ask
yon to tell me all, for the accounts l
hear vary.'
i should be- Mr.. Curtis paused,
You arc lawyer said Mrs. Has
tin33. smiling, and I am making blum
der, 1 see, in my request. Did Mrs.
Barclay or your uncle ever tell you any
thing about me 2
Only that you we're very dear
friend Of the lady:s.'
'Ehen, if will not weary you, Twill
tell you my story: and you shall then
judge whether it is best to answer my
questions. Seven years ago, last New
Years eve, J. was made an orphan. Ny
father was drummer in the orchestra
Of one Of our thcaters ; my mother en-
broldercd collars. Ono evening, New
Years eve, there had been a pantomine
at the theater in which my father was
engaged. which required music behind
the scenes, ana in passing from the
rear Of the stage to the front, he fell
INTO trap, which was invisible in the
dim light, and was killed instantly.
They brought his body home, and the
shock, acting upon q frame weakened
by toll, poverty, and illness, was too
much for my mother and she went
from one swoon to another, and died
in my arms just as the dawn Of New
Years pccpc1 into or little room. I was
then just fifteen years Of age, for the
day which brought this weight OF sor-
row was my birthday.
My parents death threw ne upon
the world utterly penncIcss, and I was
very young, sir. I am telling you all
this to prove how much | owe to Mrs,
Barclay.-My parents had been poor
from my birth, yet I was not wholly
without al education, and had trained
my voice for reading, while my mother
taught me to sew, and an oll violinist,
a friend Of my fathers, had given me
instruction in music. | could read, play
on the piano, sing and sew so, after
I had seen al my parents property
sold to pay their funeral expenses, 7
started with brave heart to make my
living. You may well shake your head.
I hal not one friend out Of the theater,
and there was no money to spare
amongst them, so l went: in my child
ish hope of obtaining work, from door
to door. | was very small, and some
smiled pityingly: some contemptously,
at the idea Of trusting the little wan
derer with sewing. A whole week pass
ed, and | had not earned one cent.
Then / tried the stores there, too, ]
failed7
4 was leaning one day against the
counter Of store where embroidery was
sold, and where ny timid petition for
work had met its last rebuff l was
crying, for / was cold, hungry, and
hopeless. A kind hand was placed Oh
my shoulder, and q low, sweet voice
said
You are in trouble, ny child, what
about 2
4 looked up, Such q kind loving face
bent over me, and such tender, plying
eyes looked into mine, that was warm
ed and chcercd Instantly
1fyou please l said, 4 want some
work.
Work, child 2
Yes, ma'am, embroidery-1 can do
lt-mother taught me- aud then, en-
couraged by her sweet face and interest,
1 told her all ny troubles. 1 will not
weary you with any more details. Ny
qucstioner was Mrs. Barclay she took
rne to her own house, and for four years
she was second mother to me 1 was
educated and protected, while every wish
of my heart was gratified.'
4 could talk for o week and not tell
half the love and kindncs she poured out
upon the little orphan child, and it was