Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-02-08
a TORS ELECT.
ICoNTINUED.l

a 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. i
"Yes, that Is my name. And what do You
want with me, my little girl?" Iqueried,
greatly surprised at this singular encounter.
20, sir, do you remember little boy whom
you met one evening last winter, who teld you
he had a sister Nelly, and" The mystery
was st once cleared up.
"Yes, yes, remember it all, /" interrupted
"And you are Nelly, / suppose?' and sur
veyed the child with enhanced interest. Her
ragged garments, her pale face, bore Q very
legisle history-a history Of sharp poverty and
bitter suffering.
80, am so glsd-so very glad, sir,'' and
the light that broke into her careworn features
was beautiful to behold .
II was almost sure il must be you when the
gentleman called your name, and you look Just
as Willie said you did. o, sir, I have looked
and watched, and waited for you 50 many days
that had almost given up hoping" Il
Poor child! have been out Of town. or I
would have come to you as promised But
where is Willie nowl and what do you want
with me2"
was well nigh ashamed after the latter
question was asked her poverty answered it
20, sir, Willie is sick, very sick; and his
face looks So white and strange lately, 1 fear
he is going home 10 mother sometimes. You
see get better after you sent me the cakes
and oranges, and Willie bought me some medi-
cine With the money you gave us, and we paid
the rent six months, so the woman let US stay
thSre. But one day, month ago, Willie was
out all day in the cold rain selling papers, and
he's been growing worse and worse, and he's
so altered you'd hardly know him. But he
wanted to see you 80 oadly, and he talks about
II all the time in his sleep, and for the last two
thPoa ia hal alrfarSz nil n h0t
and 50 I've been out keeping watch for you all
day; snd couldn't bear to 60 home at night,
for Willie would spring up in the bed and cry
out 80 loud, Nelly, have you seen him ?" and
when 1 shook my head, he would lie down with
such look that l would 60 of in one corner
and cry all alone, 1t made my heart ache so to
see it. But now Willie will be so glad! o,
please, sir, won't you 90 and see him."
/ see, Hattie, that yeur eyes are growing
moist with tears, and If you could have heard
the simple touching psthos with which that
fair child told her sad story, you would have
answered as did.
"YOs, Nelly, I will go now"
"willis, Willie, I've brought him! I've
brought him, ~
The little hand which guided me so carefully
ap the dilapidsted stairs was withdrawn as the
little girl broke into that old attic chamber,
her eager and joyous tones making the bare
walls ring again
1--we brought him. I've brought him."
The dying daylight looked with a sweet,
solemn smile into the room, whose entire des-
titution one glance revealed to me- had not
time for another, for a child's head was lifted
from a miserable mattress in one corner. I
came forward, pair Of attenuated arms was
stretched out, and those large, burning eyes
were fastened d moment on my face, as though
life and death rested upon their testimony.
I" Yes, yes, / knew you would come at last, >
and the little cold arms were wrapped around
my neck. 80, have watched and prayed,
and hoped 80 long; and il seemed to me as IL
you would never come; but knew you would
to-day, for last night mamma came to me,
looking so beautiful, with the flowers woven all
around her head, and q white robe flowing
down to her feet, and she smiled so sweetly and
said:
my little Willie, he will come to you to-
morrow, and his coming will be a signal, for
then l. too, shall come for you"
My tears were falling fast on the boys brown
curLsi but sharp pang reached my heart as he
spoke these words.
No, no, Willie, you were only dreaming ="
said, as l lifted up his head and looked at
him anxiously. One glance into the rigid face
told me enough-the mother had indeed come
for her child.
Bend down, quick murmured the boys
white lips. Nelly win be alone when leave
her; for there's nobody to take care Of her, you
kind and good know you will take care Of
her, and never let her suffer; and mamma will
look down from her home in Heaven and bless
you for it all; and may be We shall come some
time to take you to us. You will promise me
this, won't you quick, for ] can't see you ;"
and his glazing eyes wandered over my face.
4" Yes, Willie, promise il to God, to your
mother in Heaven, and to you" / answered
Eolemnly. ' ....-....-.-s-
Nelly, you have heard what he said-he
will take care Of you. Kiss me once more,
for me. Good byeI''
The little cold fingers sought for our hands
and drew them together-a smile wandered
over the stark, rigid face, and the last light of
that May day looked into that bare attic, where
the beautiful child was lying on the cold mat
tress.
90, sir, is he dead ?" questioned the little
girl, with her large, pathetic eyes wandering
from the dead face to my own.
Ny looks answered her, for my lips could
"wiIIie, Willie, come back, come back to
me" she cried out in a voice whose exceed
ing anguish win haunt my memory, will haunt
my heart till il has grown cold as the one that
then lay beneath me, and little Ellen Evans
lay as senseless As her brother in my arms.
Two days later, in pleasant part Of the
cemetery, the May yiolets were turned aside
and a chiId's coffin laid beneath them.
For nine spring tides have they laid their
crimsoned mantle over his bright head, and
the shadow Of q marble monument has fallen
softly over them. Upon this is seulptured q
beautiful child, and an angel with outspread
wings is bending over him, and pointing up
ward. Underneath Is craven, His mother
came for him at twilight"
IL was with me q subject Of much perplexity
where to place the lovely child whom always
felt that Providence had especially intrusted
TO my care. I was all she had on earth to love,
NJ ia kalr 20 hsr
heart the whole affection Of her deep warm
nature was poured on me, and even then with
the exception Of yourself, she lay closer within
the foldings Of nay heart.
For little while placed her in the country,
among simple people, whose curiosity would be
readily appeased; for I was exceedingly desi-
rous that the world should never become cog
infant Of the par. / had borne in her life-his-
tory. read well her sensitive nature, and
knew there might come time In her latter