, 1862-01-30
Nell Creighton.

painter. Besides pretty wife and two rosy
children he owns the cOziest little cottage imag-
inable-just pleasant ride from the city The
walls Of his parlOr are hung with tine paintings;
but one, which hangs over the mantel, is his es
pecial favorite. Itis the picture of farmhouse,
surrounded by an orchard and garden, with
meadow, where the mowers are resting, spread
ing tree and pasture, with handsome cows cool
ing their legs in the deep stream
On the back porch Of the house stands a wO
man with pleasant face and masses Of bright
red hair. In one hand she holds a little basket,
and fiocks of chickens and turkeys are eagerly
gathe ing up the grains she has scattered. Every
line of the picture must be familiar to Harry
Howard, for often, when am there, (his wife is
my sister, and come and go at pleasure) he
leans his elbow on the mantel and gazes earnestly
at the bright-haired young woman.
"Was that red-headed lassie your sweet
hearth" | asked him one day when we were
alone.
"a sweeter heart never beat in woman, and a
better woman never lived" said Harry, senten-
tiously.
"If there's story, let us hear it, Hal. ! al
ways tancied there was"
+" You know, believe, that was born in the
little town of Caremont After my fathers
death, my mother supported herself and me with
h,F reedle | was too small and delicate to rem
der her much assistance; indeed the only work
for which had any liking was making pictures.
When was ten years old had drawn a won
derfu portrait Of the village pastor, two or three
Madonnas, with impFessible yellow curlS, and
pigs and sheep without number. A year after
that my mother died, leaving me penniless |
have relatives who are fond OF talking about
their cousin or nephew, the promising young ar
tist, whose visits are hailed with delight, second
only to the fourth Of July and Thanksgiving.
They might have provided for me then, but they
did not take the trouble, and fell into the hands
Of a wealthy merchant, who proposed to do by
me as he would by an own son. How he would
have liked to have done by an own son, don't
know; was too happy that he did not possess
the blessing. His daughters the Misses Ballard,
were bellies, il not beauties, were educated and
accomplished. Three months year at school
was considered sufficient for me- My clothes
were coarse, tut comfortable; my meals taken
with the servants, and my employment that Of q
waiter aud errand boy.
"One warm August afternoon, I was 10 the
counting room with Mr.. Ballard aud his partner,
Mr.. Bliss. They were talking together, leaning
over the table on which was a collection Of notes
and receipts examining the vignette of a one
hundred dollar bill which my master had placed
there. He noticed what was doing At last, and,
giving me push away from he table, ordered me
from the room. That evening | was summoned
to the library, where found the two merchants.
The bank note at which had been looking was
missing, and was suspected Of having stolen it.
OF course stoutly denied the charge, but my
protests fell on unbelieving ears.
:" lie must have taken IT," said Mr.. Bliss.
ats not in the countngroom, am certain, and
no one has been there but you and me, and him.
A smart application Of the rod will make him
give il up, I'll warrant These children always
lic, you know. Ii was his master, Ia soon
bring him to his sens S. 'SpAre tine rod and
spoil the child Solomon says"
"This suggestion seemed to meet NJ. BaNard's
approval, for calling Joe, the al work, he
sent him to the stable for the Garage whip.
Mea while was ordered 10 remove my coat aud
vest, aud Informed that would have the salts
faction Of being whipped until confessed my
fault ! was very small and slender for my
years-nearly thirteen, and so timid that trenl
bled ke an aspen when Mr.. Ballard raised the
whip above my almost naked shoulders.
Before it descended, the door swung open and
Nell Creighton, pleaSant-ficetl young woman,
came in. She had heard our conversation, pro-
badly, through the halfopen door. Nell was
servant in Mrs. Ballard's employ, and | had often
seen her in the kitchen; but asSociaung fam
ing locks and fierce tempers together, | bad
rather repulsed her friendly advances. Now,
however, | could have knet at her feet and wor-
shipped her, when, with the ayr Of a grenadier,
she marched mp to Mr., Ballard and snalched the
whip from his hands. Then followed storm Of
words, in which was landed as martyr, and
the two merchants no need something only
little lower than the vNl one himself
Mr.. Ballard was frightened at first, but his
selEpo,s .ssion soon returned and his anger rose.
Taking me BY the shoulders, he pushed me
across the room into small closet with glass
doors Having turned the key, he threw open
the door Of tho outer room and bade Nell to
leave the house instantly.
II you are found here tomorrow morning,
Miss, III send for the police" be said angrily.
You will get ppced, you old rascal" NUT
tered Nell as she DISAPPEARED.
Z" For the next three days ! remaided close
prisoner. Mr. Ballard declared | should remain
in con6uem mt unil l confessed my fault and
delivered up the property; but could not per-
form impossibilites The third morning awoke
with an aching head aud burning cheek. could
hardly swallow mouthiul Of bread and butter
which was brought me, but drained the glass
Of wat,r eagerly, and would have called for more
had any Que Deen near. Late in the afternoon,
when lay tossing upon the hard flor, for the
garret to which had been removed contained
neither chair nor bed, the door o.iened and Nell
Creighton came in. She had come back after
her trunk, aud had seized the opportunity when
the family were out, to visit my prison.
"The key had been left in ths lock, so she
easily gained admittance begged her 10 bring
the a glass Of water, fJr my thirst had become
inIOlcrable. She went down staifS AMI sOon re-
tlrurd with a brmming pitcher Of ice water.
When qaenched my thirst she stuod watching
me with pleasant smile playing around her
lips, then size handed me large orange, which
she abstracted rom the pantry. VITA swelling
tears took the hand and cOverel it with CRATE
Cul kiss.
Col bless your little heart, said she, " its
a burning shame, so il is. Just you keep awake
o night, Harry darling, aud see If Neil Crrigh-