The native Virginian. [volume] (Orange Court House, Va.) 1867-187?, 1868-07-24
&ererfe6 Dale.
THE LOST POCKET-BOOK.

1t was cherries afternoon. A Bit
ing, freezing wind drove the slow-drift-
ing snow before ir like binding mist;
and the clouds hung SO low as almost to
touch the black roofs of the houses.
"How desolate it s." Mrs. Halpine
sighed, glancing out from her attic will
dow on the gloomy prospect below, as
she smoothed and folded the garment
she had completed; "and the colds SO
bitter [ don't like to send you out,
Louise, but there's not Il lump of coal,
or dust of flour, and Willie must have
the medicine. I'd go myself, but"
go mother, no let me go; l don't
mind if it is cold. III hurry back"
And the little girl sprang up from the
low seat beside the infants cradle, and
began to fasten on her faded cloak and
hood.
"Well, suppose that you must" the
mother continued, as she wrapped up
the delicatelv embroidered garment
sYou know the place? Mr.. Rawdon's,
on Tenth street-that brown stone
house." =.
swell, dear, run fast and keep your
self warm, and say to Mrs. haWaon
that I'd have finished the work before
Ill Vllllc hduu uSNih oN S'N'>'
dollars she owes me. You can call at
the bakers and get n loaf or two."
The child took the bundle and van
ished out OF sight down the dreary flight
of steps; while the mother turned back
TO the cr;rlle where the sick child lay.
He held up his little hands, and moan
ed so piteously-
"Give me some tea, mamma, I'm so
dry" .r.,,o
aYes, darling, just as soon as Louise
comes"
Her ewes filled with tears as she rails
ed the little fellow to her bosom, clasp
ing him closely to keep him warm, for
there was no fire in the stove, and the
desolate attic room was very comtort-
less. Yet there had been a day when
this same pale faced, meek-eyed woman
sat in a luxurious chamber, with every
comfort that heart could wish within
her reach, and 4 doting husbands's
| strong arm of love to encircle and pro-
tect her. But her husband was dead,
| living unknown on some distant BATTLE
| field, and her riches had made themselves
win ys and flown away. Forlorn anu
friendless, sick at heart, and weary from
| incessant toll, she sat with her walllng
babe upon her bosom. gazing, out with
hopeless, fearful eyes. upon the dismai
| scene beneath her attic window.
In the meanwhile little Louise made
her wav through narrow by-streets and
soualid allevs into the most populous
and fashionable part of the city. The
biting cold wind still continued to blow
with q drear, saddening wall, drifting
the low. leaden clouds and the mist-llke
snow, But she walked on bravely, and
at last reached Mrs. Rawdon's. A daz-
| zling glow of light poured upon the
frosty air; Mrs. RawdOn was giving a
Grand party in honor of her eldest
daughters birth night. Louise crept
M the marble steps and pulled the bell.
A footman in livery answered her tlmid
summons, -,
"Can 1 see Mrs. Rawdon, please sir?'
she asked.
"Scc Mrs. Rawdon, indeed and she
i'm the parlor in the very middle OF the
company. OF course you can't"
He was closing the door. but Louise
caught at his sleeve, and cried, implor'
70, sir, please wait Here's the worl
size wanted Miss Violet's frock, yot
know. Mother promised it by tonight
do let me take it up to her."
The man hesitated moment and ther
turned back: j..
"Miss Violet's frock ?" he said; "she'
wanted it, l know. l heard her fussins
because it didn't come home. May b'
she'll see you; I'll try anyhow. Come
in here and wait"
I,ouise followed him through tht
arched hall, and passed the glitterins
narlor into a kind of ante room adioin
ing the supper apartment. Here, mo
tioning her to a seat, he went in scarcl
of hls mistress. But it was full half al
hour before Mrs. Rawdon could olsen
gage herself from her guests; and poo
Louise, tired with waiting and benum
bered with cold, was just on the poin
of bursting into tears when the lady
stepped into the room.
"'fhis is pretty business, now, ism
it ?" she began, as she received and un
folded the bundle that Louise profferet
her. IL thought that you promised t.
bring this yesterday ?"
"Yes, ma am, but little Willie was 81
sick that mother couldn't sew"
,sOh yes. that's always the way; yol
have some excuse ready; but l sham
trust you again, you may depend upol
it. Here Violet's been crying for III
, hour, and refused to come down be
cause she was so disappointed about he
dress. John, ring the bell for Jane t
take it up toher. must go back to tn
: parlow now.'
"Shc was sweeping out, her satii
robes rustling after; but Louise spran
up with cry.
80 ma'am! Little brothers so illan
must have his medicine; please let m
: have the money J"
i "1 can't tonight; am entirely out
change. You can call day after to
morrow
But Louise was not to be repulsed.-
She caught the lady's hand iii both
+, her little frozen palms. One Of th
rings that adorned Mrs. RawdoTi's so
!, fingers would have procured all Il
n comforts her mother and little Will
needed, Some such things hashe