Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1868-03-14
TALES AND SKETCHES.
NELL, THE BEGGAn, GIRL.

please ma'am, penny to buy some
bread 2"
1t was a chid's voice, low and pleading,
and the lady walking swiftly past turned
sharply round, saying as sue lifted her dainty
skirts:
Don't get too near, filthy creature l
haven't pennies to spend on beggar's brats."
The littlc girl turned slowly and crossed
the street. She was probably twelve years
of age, dressed in rags, and her feet were
bare her hair hung down her back in a
tangled mass, and her face was shaded by
an old limp sun bonnet. The reply of the
lady seemed to CRATE harshly on her feelings.
At first her pinched face wore dark look,
and her deep black eyes shone lurdly, but
as she wandered slowly on an expression of
determination settled over her features, and
suddenly stopping, she exclaimed, in de-
termined tone:
"I'll never beg again, though I die of
starvation, l will be somebody yet in spite
of all !"
"a good resolution, my little girl"
She turned and confronted, tall, we'll
dressed young gentleman, who wore a fine
gold chain, and diamonds on his fingers.
She looked up and saw kind light beam.
ing on the Gark eyes as she answered:
II thank you, sir, for your kind words,
and yet twill cost many a hcartache"
The young man bent forward and caught
the gleam of the child's eye-tbat strong,
steedy gIcam that told of the undauntcd heart
hidden meath the beggar's garb. He passed
his hand tenderly over the uncombed hair,
and gazed on the broad square forehead of
the child, he said:
What might your name be, little one ~
Nell" she answered.
"And now will you keep this resolutionl"
u don't know yet, | shall when think"
The young man put his hand in bis pocket
and drew forth a purse.
Here, he said, take this it will help you,
and / know you will not spend it foolishly
IOu will be somebody yet or this high,
proud brow indicates nothing. Good bye,
and il you are ever in trouble direct line
to Harry Clifford !"
He fingered only to look back on the lit
tie girl whose eyes were filed with happy
tears. She did not speak her thanks, but
the looks she gave him assured him that the
little purse would never be forgotten.
That afternoon girl dressed plainly, yet
neatly, with long, wavy, ripping curls, and
deep, intelligent eyes, stood on the marble
steps ringing the bell of brown stone man
sion. The door was soon opened, and the
servant thus answered her inquiry for the
lady of the house.
There is no lady of the house except the
housekeeper; but if you wish to see Mr.
Wells, can inform him."
The little girl nodded.
"What name shall say 2" inquired the
servant, for he was a kind hearted man,
"Nell Graham" answered the little girl.
''Sir, II child, Mel! Graham W wshes to speak
with YOU" said the servant, poking his head
in at the study door"
"A little child-what is she like, Percy"
"Piain, but neat, Sir"
"Send her in, Percy"
When Nell entered the splendid apart
ment, decorated in crimson and gold, she
did not look around confusedly, AS many in
her condition would have done, but bowed
deeply To the kind faced gentleman, who,
pointing to chair, begged her tn he seated.
May ask your name and business with
me 2" . .. .-.r
Certainly" was. the response, uttered
with faintest tremor in her voice "My
name is Graham. My parents were wealthy
long ago my father WAS a merchant in this
city, but they were at last reduced TO power
ty, and died in utter want. | am seeking
employment, sir, to take care of children or
assist in the kitchen. have run away
from the old woman with whom have been
living"
Graham Graham !" interrupted the old
man, lit can't be my old friend Come here,
child; ] wish to look in your face"
Nell arose, and stood 10y his charlie
drew her toward him, und pushed back the
wavy curls from her brow, he said:
you've splendid head, child, as your
mother had, before yon She was an in.
tellectual woman, and no doubt you will be
| like her. 4. IH..
"Yes, yes Well / knew her. / cannot
mistake the name nor those beautiful eyes
After rejecting for q moment, he added
| Nell, what do you say to calling me Uncle
Aaron, and living with me | am very lone
some, with no one love. Be my niece
Nell, and live with me always" ll -fa
"Are you in earnest" gasped the child.
Never more so,' answered the old man
you shall bring my slippers, and keep MI
books arranged, and sing to me, and keeI
me awake during the sunny afternoons
What do you say TO il Neil2" aasfs.,I sgl
~ say q thousand thanks, until can bet
ter repay YOU" =. .asIssi su0Hltp .a1uil
And Nell twiued her arms about his neck
and kissed his cheek, as though she hat
known him for years. ,,si..a - ,s.rV
Time passed, aud Nell grew To love Uucl
Aaron almost as much as he loved her. Fiy
years rolled away--bright. sunny yesrs t.
little Nell-who was now q tall, elegan
. young lady, with sparkling eyes and rega
braids; and, still, to Uncle Aaron she We
tbs same as when she came 70 him ths