The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1866-09-04

"Oh, madam she SAID, her blue eyes
full of imploring entreaty, "you are rich
and happy, and have all you want; but
my poor mother has nothing; and my lit
tie brother will die without medicine
Do let me have the money!"
Mrs. Rawdon shook her off impatient
lily.
"I tell you I've no change. You must
call again. John, show her to the
door |"
The footman obeyed, and Louisa sson
found herself upon the marble steps,
while the lofty door closed in her very
face with heartless slam.
The wind howled more dismally than
ever, and the keen, singing sleet fell
like a shower of shot. Louise descended
the steps, and crossed over to the oppo-
site sidewalk with a dull, aching pain at
her heart that almost took away her
breath. How could she 60 back to her
desolate home, and tell her poor mother
that she had failed to collect her hard
earned wages; tell her that they were not
able to buy even so much as solitary
loaf? Was it right that others should
have SO much, while they lacked daily
bread? just then something beneath
her foot, soft and slippery, almost threw
her to the pavement. Looking down,
she saw pecket-book. She caught it
up with suppressed cry, and, thrusting
it into her bosom, darted of at the speed
of an antelope. At last, out of breath,
and half beside herself with excitement,
she paused beneath lamp post, and after
glancing stealthily around her, drew the
treasure from her bosom. 1t was large,
thick and heavy. Her fingers futtered
nervously as she unclasped it; and when
she caught sight of the green notes it
contained, she uttered a wild cry of de-
light and darted off again like something
insane. Mother and Willie should have
all they needed nowl
Just beyond the bakers shop, TO-
ward which she bent her steps, soldier
met her.
"Litttle girl he said, arresting her
flying steps, 'you didn't find pocket
book as you came along, did your"
Louise paused single instant, her
heart auttering like frightened bird,
then, as a thought of her mother and
Willie flashed through her mind, she an
swered.
"No, sir r.
"Well, it is gone, I suppose and the
soldier passed on; while Louise hurried
away in the eoppoeite direction.
By the time she reached the bakers
she was in tremor from head to foot
and her cheeks seemed on Gre; but she
drew the pocket-hook from its hiding
place, and, standing outside the door,
unclasped it, and took out a note. The
shop was crowded with customers, and
she had to wait for her turn before she
could obtain whatshe wanted. Her eyes
wandered wistfully around the tempting
shelves. She would buy ever SO many
loaves; and even that frosted cake. They
would have coal and -four. Why not2
The pocket-book was hers, she had
found it. Still her hands trembled, and
her cheeks burned. She glanced down
at the note she held, and saw, with a
start of horror, that it was fifty dollars
What had she done2 Robbed that man
of his money and he soldier. Her
father had been asoldier. With sharp
cry, clutching the pocket-book in one
hand, and the fifty dollar bill in the
other, she darted from the shop, and
down the snowy street. just square
or two beyond the glittering mansion of
Mrs. Rawdon she overlook the soldier.
He was walking slowly, glancing from
one side of the icy pavement to the other
with an anxious, despairing look on his
face. Louise was at his side in an in
slant.
"Oh, sir u painting for breath, her
hood thrown back her blue eyes wild
and startled, and her bright hair blown
all about her flushed face, 81 did find
your pocket book--here it is. I took
this note out, but | couldn't spend it.
Mothers almost starved, and little Will
lie will die without his medicine, bat I
can't steal-I can't---I cant; take it
back u
The soldier took the money from the
half frozen little hands that held it up
to him; then lifting the child in his arms
he smoothed back her tangled locks, and
looked down into her pale, tear-stained
little face with eager, startled eyes. His
swarthy cheek grew pale, and his beard
ed lip began to tremble.
s,Louise, Louise i'' he said, his voice
full of thrilling tenderness; "poor little
darling don't you know me?'
The child looked up, and then her cry
Of wild delight rang out clear and joy
Gus.
"ohl papa, papa! We thought you we're
dead! But you've come back to US
again. +"
Eyes, darling" his broad chest heaving
with suppressed eagcrness. Where's
your mother2 Take me to her.
Louise sprang from his arms and sho!
of like an arrow down the brilliant
street, through the squalid alleys and
dark by-lanes; and the soldier followed
her.
Mrs. Halpine sat in her comfOrtless at
tic, hushing her sick child upon her bo-
som.
"Mamma, mammal 'I'm SO hungry;
please give me some tea" the little fel.
low moaned, clasping his hot arms about
her neck.
| But the last spark Of FIRE had gone
out, and Louise did not come.
await moment, darling-just mo-
ment longer"
] And the natient little one waited; ano