The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-07-16

He Was CloblnR 'he uooI, wv
caucbt Mt his sleeve, and cried, implorlngly,
30. sir, please wait! Here's the work she
Violet's frock, you know. Mo-
Their promised it by tonight; do let me take
it up TO her."
The man hegitated moment, and then
turned back.
"Miss Violet's frock ?" he said; she's
wanted it, know. heard her fussing
because il didn't come home. Maybe shell
see you I'll try anyhow. Come IN mere
and wait"
Louise followed him through the arched
hall, and passed the glittering parlor into o
kind Of ante-room adjoining the supper
apartment. Here motioning her to o seat,
he went in search of his mistress. But 1t
was full half on hour before Mrs. Rawdon
could disengage herself from her guests
and moor Louise, tired with waiting ana
benumbed with cold, was just on the pom.
of bursting into tears when the iaoy
stepped into the room.
This is pretty business, now, Ism III
she began, as she received and unfolded the
bundle that Louise protfered her.
thought that you promised to bring this
yesterday y"
" Yes, ma'am, but little Willie was 30
sick that mother couldn't sew"
"Oh yes, that's always the way; you
have some excuse ready; but shan't trust
YOU again, you may depend upon it. Here
Violet's been crying for an hour, and re-
fused to come down because she was so dis
appointed about her dress. John, ring the
bell for Jane to take it up to her. must
- 81 -
She was sweeping out, her satin robes
rustling after; but Louise sprang up with
cry. -,
30 ma'am! Little brothers SO i'll, and
must have his medicine; please let me
have the money!"
81 can't tonight am entirely out of
change. You can call day after to-mor-
row."
But Louise was not to be repulscd. She
caught the lady's hand in both of her little
frozen palms. One Of the rings that
adorned Mrs. Rawdon's soft fingers would
have procured all the comforts her mother
and little Willie needed. Some such things
flashed through the child's mind as she
made her appeal.
go madam you are rich and happy, and
have all you want; but my little brother
will die without medicine! Do let me have
the money!"
Mrs. Rawdon shook her off impatiently
81 have no change now. You must call
again. John, show her to the door "
The footman obeyed, and Louise soon
found herself upon the marble steps, while
the lofty door closed in her face with a
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
opposite sidewalk with dull, aching pain
in her heart that almost took her breath.
How could she go back to her desolate home,
and tell her poor mother that she had
failed to collect her hard-carned wages
tell her that they were not able to
buy 80 much as solitary loaff Was
it right that others should have SC
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 a pocket-book. She
caught it up with a suppressed cry, and
thrusting it into her bosom, darted off at
the speed of an antelope. At last, out of
breath and beside herself with excitement,
she paused beneath Il lamp-post, and after
glancing stealthily around her, drew the
treasure from her bosom. 1t was large,
thick, and heavy. Her fingers futtered
nefvously as she unclasped it; and when
she caught sight Of the green notes it con
tanned she uttered a cry of delight, and
Mother and wfine like ike, something insane.
needed now III 'u'y
Just beyond the bakers shop, towards
which she bent her steps, a soldier met
her.
"Little GIRL" he said, arresting her fly
ing steps, "you didn't find pockct-book
as you came along, did you ?"
Louise paused a single instant, her heart
futtering like frightened bird; then, as
thought of her mother and Willie flashed
through her lnind, she answered.
"No, sir"
"Well, it is gone, I SUPPOSE" and the
soldier 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 outside the door, unclasped it and
took out q note. The shop 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 SO many
loaves, and even that frosted cake. They
would have coal and flour. Why not The
pocket-book was hers; she had found it.
Still her hands tremblcd and her checks
burned. She glanced down ut the note she
held, and saw, with II start of horror, it was
for fifty dollars. What had she done Rob-
bed the man of his money, and he soldier.
With cry, clutching the pockct-book in one
hand and the fifty dollar bill in the other,
she dartel 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, de-
spairing look on his face. Louise was at his
side in an instant.
40, SIR" painting for breath, her hood
thrown back, her blue eyes wild and start
led, and her bright hair blown all about her
flushed face" did find your pocket-book
here it is. | took this note out, but
couldn't spend it. Mothers almost starved,
and little Willie will die without his medi-
cine, but can't steal can't; take it
back"
The soldier took the money from the
half~frozen little hand that held it 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,
"Louise, Louise !" he said, his voice full
of thrilling tenderness "poor little dar-