The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1862-09-03

lured her TO the iarthest part OF the great
room, where there were but few gentlemen,
and motioned her to sing The little one
looked timidly. Her cheek was Of olive
darkness. but flush rested there, and out
of the thinest face, under the arch of broad
temples. deepened by masses of the darkest
hair. looked two eyes. whose softness aud
tender pleading would have touched the har-
dest heart.
"My little thing is sick. believe" said
John Harvey. compassionately. What do
you sing, girl }"
al sing you italian, or little English. she
said softly.
John Harvey had been looking al her shoes.
I" Why" heexclaimed, and hislip quiyered,
cher feet are wet to her ankles. absolutely
her shoes are full of holes"
But this time the child had begun to sing,
pushing back her hood and folding before her
little thin fingers. Her voice was wonder
fu! and simple and common as were both
the air and words, the power and pathos of
the tones drew together several Of the habi>
tues of the reading room. The little song
commenced thus
There is happy land,
Far, far away"
Never could the voice, the manner, of that
child be forgotten. There almost seemed a
halo round her head and when she had fin
ished. her great sparkling eyes turned to-
wards John Harvey.
Look here. child. where did you learn
that sangs" he asked.
"In Sabbath school, sir" was the simple
answer.
"And you don't suppose there is happy
land - he continued, needless of the many
eyes upon him.
"Iknow there is; I'm going to sing there, :"
she said SO quietly, so decidedly, that the
men looked at each other.
Going to sing theres"
Yes, sir. My mother said so. She used
to sing to me until she was sick. Then she
said she wasn't going to sing any more on
earth, but up in heaven"
Well-and what them"
And then she died, sir" said the child,
tears brimning up and over the dark check
now ominously flushed scarlet.
John Harvey was silent fora few moments
Presently he said
Well, if she died. my little girl. you
may live, you know"
90, no. sir no, sir /! (very quickly}-l'd
rather 90 there. and be with mother. Some.
times have dreadful pain in nv side, and
cough as she did. There won't be any pain
up there, sir; its beautiful world ~
"How do you know" faltered on the lips
Of the sceplic.
My mother told me So"
Words how impressive manner how
and vet hoy wise. John Harvey
had praying mother. His chest labored for
a moment-the sobs that struggled for ut.
teranee could be heard even in their depths
and still those large, soft, lustrous ewes,
ike magnets, imPelled his glance towards
hem.
Child, YOU must have pair Of shoes"
John Haryey's yoice was husky.
Simultaneously hands were thrust in peck
hid held in her little palm more money
han she ever saw before.
/" Her father is poor, consumptive organ.
;rlnder," whispered one, - suppose he's
90 sick to be out tonight"
Along the sloppy street went the child,
nder the protection Of John Harvey, but
ot with shoes that drank the water al every
tep. Warmth and comfort were hers now.
Down IN the deep, den.like lanes of the ci-
y, walked the man. little cold. child hand
. his. At an open broken door they stop
ied-up broken, creaking stairs thew climb
d. At last another doorway opened;
Iheezing voice called out OF the dim arch i
Carletta." n
% father father see what | have i
rought you--look at me-lonk at me = and 1
own went tile boarded silver, and. venting
er excessive joy, the child fell, CRYING anl $
lughing together into tile mans arms.
" Was he mani Is
4 face, dark and hollow, all oyergrown c
18th hair, black as night, and nncombed--a
air OF wild eyes-a body bent nearly dau. s.
le-hands like claws.
/" Did he give YOU all this, Carletta:" C
They all did, father now you shall have 81
,up and oranges" p
Thank you, sir--I'm sick, you see--all
'ne, sir,-had 70 send the poor child out, or u
ed starye, sir! God bless YOU, sir wish 7
was well enough 70 play you a tune, v
I'D he looked wistfally toward the corner, b
here stood the old organ, baize covered {,