Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1868-09-30

valid lady. Apply at No 81 - Street"
IT was Il brief notice, vet there were
woyen into the few words hours of anx-
ionS Thought. long. restless nights and
'aa!nt:ll ri;seivinss vas. in :, manner,
throwing down glove for all my nu-
merous relatives, any one OF whom
would nave gladly spared me child or
have come herself to tend nv illness,
comfort my pain, drive back my loncli-
n ~; for was rich widowed anl child
less. | knew well that Marian, my
niece, whose son was my chosen heir,
would have faithfully devoted her life
- me. and If could have overlooked
such triaing pecularities as an utter
s'ihFhness, srasping ayarice, and entire
heartlessness, we might, perhaps, have
zone peacefully together through the
short Journey that seemed to lie be-
tween me and the grave.
But wanted u companion whose SER
vi les, being literally rewarded, might
b, lninc at will. had no intention OF
ovcftaskils my reader and alnanuenSis
but wanted to feel at perfect liberty
TO call upon her at any hour Then
philanthropic schemes OF givinga pleas
ant home to some poor struggling wo-
nan. whose health. education OF delica-
cy made her unfit to cope with the rude
world, iloated through my brain.
| soon found my office as selector no
s;necure. All day the stream of ap-
p!icants poured in. till my head ached
f"r The many who were thrown upon
the world poor and fricndiess, grasping
nj every opportunity for honorable en-
p!oymcnt Yet, OF all the vast throng
not one suited me- Some We're merely
servants. fully competent to make my
bed or sweep my room, but l did not
want a servant: some had large ideas
OF salary and privileges totally impos-
sible for Inc to meet; some were learn
ed and proposed TO put my seventy
wears aside and commence my educa-
ton: some painted, and would fill my
room with copies OF the great masters,
tor a triiling addition TO their salary :;
some wd,ted one perquisite some an
o:hcr. till, exhausted and bcwildcred. /
dismissed all, promising to grant an
other interview the next day.
I thought all had gone, and lay
back in fny chair weary and disappoint-
ci closing my eyes TO shut out the
brilliant parterre Of gay shawls and
o;erpowering bonnets. | am sure |
looked pale. for soft little Land fell
ac:ltly upon my forehead, and a voice
clear and sweet said, Il an sorry vcu
are so tired. Can do anything for YOU
before go?'
Something in the low musical voice :;
tinged as; it was with sadness, reused
again Iav failing interest Iopencd my
eyes 10 see a small. chilllike figure
clothed in deep mourning fair sweet
face whose large hazel eyes were full of
that tender, longing depth which we
sometimes see in children early called
home; aface toawalen love and tender
ness. a figure dropping and delicate, to
call forth all the protecting care of any
kind heart She stood quietly beside
ne as scruhnized her closely, her eyes
looking frankly into mine, her soft cool
hand still on my brow At length l
said:
You came to apply for q $ituation?"
Yes she replied: Il have been
here all the afternoon in that corner
but ! shall not suit l thought at first
l might. but so many far superior have
failed. that I have given up the hope"
What can You do inquired.
Il aln afraid very little, " she replied.
Il could read--Iapa slsed to like to hear
Ine read-and could write Your notes.
But you are very particular about ref
erence, and | have none
None !" | said
No. There is no one here who
knows me and l brought nothing from
M old home, she said, sorrowfully.
'Cap not write inquired.
The hand on my forehead grew very
cold, and the sweet face very pale, as
she said steadily: there is no one in
the wide world to give me one word of
recommendation.
I was puzzled. Here was the very
companion for whom l longcd-some
one to cherish and protect in return for
her services to me: but there was some
thing startling in this assertion of utter
friendlessness, coming from the lips of
such a child Ny thoughts formed
most unconsciously the abrupt ques-
ton:
Have you done ANYTHING wrong to
forfeit vour friends affection = l re-
pented the question while asked it.
The rich crimson blood dyed both
-. .