The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1866-09-04
THE LOST POCKET BOOK.
BY EMMA GARRISON JONES.

It was cheerless afternoon. A bitin,
freezing wind drove the slowly Sitting
snow before it like binding mist; ant
the clouds hung so low as almost to touol
the black roofs of the houses. -
"How desolate it is" Mrs. Halpin,
sighed, glancing out from her attic win,
dow on the gloomy prospect below, as sh'
smoothed and folded the garment she hat
just completed; "and the colds bitter;
don't like to send you out, Louise, bu
there's not lump of coal NOR dust o.
-four, and Willie must have that medicine
I'd 60 myself, but"
lst"Oh, mother, no! let me go-I dom
mind if it is cold. I'll hurry back" ant
the little girl sprang up from her low
seat beside the infants cradle, and begar
to fasten on her faded cloak ard hood.
"Well, | suppose you must, the moth
er continued, as she wrapped up the del
icately embroidered garment. "You know
the placer Mr.. Rawdon's on Tenth street
that brown stone2"
eyes, yes, mother! / know"
"Well, dear, run fast, and keep your
self warm, and say to Mrs. Rawdon that
I'd have finished the work before, if Will
lie hadn't been SO sick. Three dollars
she owes me. You can call by the ba-
ker's and get loaf or two"
The child took the bundle, and vanish
ed out of sight down the dreary fight of
steps, while the mother turned back to
the cradle, where the sick child lay. He
held up his little hands and moaned pit
eously,'"Giye me some tea, mamma, I'm
so dry"
eyes, darling, just as soon as Louise
comes"
Her eyes filled with tears as she raised
the little fellow to her bosom, clasping
him closely to keep him warm, for there
was no fire in the stove, and the desolate
attic-room was very comfortless. Yet
there had been day when this same pale
faced, meek-eyed woman sat in a luxuri-
Gus chamber, with every comfort that
heart could wish within her reach; and q
doting husbands strong arms of love to
encircle and protect her. But her hus-
band was dead. lying, unknown, on some
distant battlefield, and her riches had
made themselves wings and flown away.
Forlorn and friendless, sick at heart, and
weary from incessant toll, she sat, with
her wailing babe upon her bosom, gazing
out with hopeless fearful eyes, upon the
dismal scene beneath her attic-wlndow.
In the meantime, little Louise made
her way through narrow by-streets, and
squalid alleys, into the most populous
and fashionable part Of the city. The
biting wind still continued to blow with
dreary, saddening wall, drifting the
low, leaden clouds, and the mist like
snow. But she walked Oh brayely and
reached Mrs. Rawdon's. A dazzling glow
of light poured from all the lofty win
dows, and sounds of music and merry
making Aoate9 out upon the frosty air.
Mrs. Rawdon was giving a grand party
in honor of her eldest daughters birth
night Louisa crept up the marble steps
and pulled the bell. A footman in live
ry answered her timid summons.
"Can l see Mrs. Rawdon, please, sir2''
she asked.
"See Mrs. Rawdon, indeed and she
in the parlor in the very middle of the
company! Of course you can't"
He was closing the door, but Louisa
caught at his sleeve and cried imploring-
ly.
"Oh, sir please, please wait Here's
the work she wanted; Miss Violet's frock,
you know. Mother promised it by to.
night: do let me take it up to her"
The man hesitated a moment, and then
turned back.
"Miss Vlolet's frock," he said; "she
wanted it, l know. l heard her fussing
because it didn't come home. Maybe
she'll see you. I'll try, anyhow, Come
in here and wait"
Louise followed him through the arch
ed hall, and past the glitteriag parlors,
into kind of ante-room adjoining the
supper-apartment. Here motioning her
to seat, he went in search of his mis-
tress. But it was full half hour be-
fore Mrs. Rawdon could disengage her
self from her guests: and poor, little
Louise, tired out with waiting, and be-
numed with cold, was just on the point
Of bursting into tears, when the lady
swept into the room.
"This is pretty business, now, isn't
it?' she began, as she received and un-
folded the bundle that Louise profered
her. "I thought you promised to bring
this yesterday"
"Yes, a'am; but little Willie was SO
sick that mother couldn't sew"
"Oh, yes that's always the way
you've some excuse ready, but l shan't
trust you again, you may depend on it
Here Violet's been crying for half an
hour, and refused to come down because
she was SO disappointed about her dress
John, ring the bell fer Jane to take il
up to her. l must go back to the parlol
now"
She was sweeping out again, her satir
robes rustling after her; but Louise
sprang up with piteous cry.
"Oh, ma'am little brothers SO i'll
and must have his medicine; please le
me have the money!
81 can't to to.night-I'm entirely out o.
change. You can call day after to
morrow"
But Louise was not to be repulsed
She caught the lady's hand in both Of hel
little frozen palms. One of the rings
that adorned Mrs. Rawdon's soft fin
gers would have procured oil the com
forts her neither and little Willie so sore
ly needed. Some such thought aashet