Weekly Trinity journal., 1867-03-02
NUMBER 8.

shot. Louise descended the stairs and crossed
over to the opposite sidewalk with 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; to tell
her that they were not able to buy even 80 much
as a 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 pave
ment. Looking down, she saw pocket book.
She caught it up with a 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 huttered nervously as she unclasped
it; and when she caught sight of the green
| notes it contained she uttered wild cry Of de-
light, and darted off again like something in
sane. Mother and Willie should have all they
| needed now r'
Just beyond the bakers shop, toward which
she bent her steps, soldier met her.
"Little GIRL" he said, arresting her flying
steps, "you didn't find a pocket-book as you
came along, did you ~
Louise paused single instant, her heart fut-
tered like frightened bird then, as thought
of her mother and Willie flashed through her
mind, she answered.
"No sir p'
"Well, it is gone, I suppose" and the SOL
dier passed on while Louise hurried away In
the opposite direction.
By the time she reached the bakers she was
in tremor from head to foot, and her cheeks
seemed on fire but she drew the pocket-book
from its hiding place, and standing out side the
door, unclasped it and took out a note. Theshop
| was crowded with customers, and she had to
wait for her turn before she could obtain what
she wanted. Her eyes wandered wistfully round
the tempting shelves. She would buy ever 80
many loves and even that frosted cake. They
would have coal and -four. Why not2 the pock-
et-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 start of horror, that it was for fifty dollars
What had she done? Robbed that man OF his
money-and he a soldier. Her father had been
a soldier. 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 glttering mansion of Mrs. Rawdon she
overlook the soldier. He was walking slowly,
glancng from side of the icy pavement to
the other with anxious, despairing look on
his face. Louise was at his side in an instant.
"Oh, sir !'' painting for breath, her hood thrown
| back, her blue eyes wild and startled, and her
bright hair blown about her flushed face, 81 did
find your pocket-book-here it is. took this
note out, but l couldn't spend it. Mothers al
his medicine, but can't steal can't can't
| take it back p
| 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 cheeks grew pale,
and his bearded lips began to tremble.
i "Louise, Louise ~ 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 joyous.
"Oh, papa, papa we thought you were
dead but you've come back to US again"
"Yes darling p his broad chest heaving with
suppressed eagerness. =" Where's your mother
take me to her ~
Louise sprang from his arms and shot off like
an arrow down the brilliant street, through the
squallid alleys and dark by-lanes, and the SOL
der followed her.
Mrs. Halbine sat in her comfortless attic hush.
ing her sick child upon her bosom.
! Mamma, mamma I'm so hungry please
give me some tea" the little fellow moaned,
clasping his hot arms about her neck.
But the last spark of fire had gone out, and
Louise did not come.
"wait a moment, darling-just moment
longer"
And the patient little one waited; and the
cold, gray shadows settled down darker and dark
er, and the poor mother clasped the child closer
to her bosom, dreaming of happy days gone by,
and of the dear husband who had gone to his
last, long home, with no tender hand to close his
eyes.
The shadows grew heavier and darker the
winds moaned dismally and the snow and sleet
tinkled sharply against the windows.
I" Oh, mamma please make a light, I'm so
cold, and the dark makes me afraid p
"Wait little longer, darling Louise will
come soon.'
| At last there was a noise below, bounding
joyous step upon the stairs, and Louise burst in
to the room, her face glowing and radiant
"Oh, mother, mother r. she cried, "father's
not dead He's alive-he's come beck to us
again p
The soldiers wife rose to her feet, grasping at
the bed-post for support as she did so strong
arms clasped her to a warm and loving bosom.
Louise crept up to her fathers feet her blue
eyes swimming with tears.
"Oh, father what if I had kept t7' she
asked, with tears in her voice.
oThen, DEAR you would not have found me.
Always remember that wrong wins its punish
ment, and right its reward T.