The Shasta courier., 1868-07-18

Weeks went by, and the little Zerlina be-
came gradually reconciled to her new home.
only now and then she would ask. in yearn.
ing tones, for her "papa; - but the kind.
hearted Esther became so attached to her. and
treated her: with such motherly fondness.
that the child soon came to love her as if she
had really been its parent.
What light she shed in that gloomy old
house what source of joy she was She
was like song-bird. making musical the
near of the forest. Her presence was like
sunshine difused all around and about her.
At last the year approached its end. For
at least three months before the close of the
time specified, Esther looked forward to the
day with evident uneasiness. She grew pale
and thin. she started at every footsteu that
passed the door. Oh, would he come? Per.
haps he would not; perhaps he had meant
to leave the child with them for good Per
haps he was not its father. Their little treas
ure would be left to them, to grow up in the
house, to blossom and bud into womanhood,
to cheer and comfort their declining years.
To be theirs for life, theirs Until death.
But finally the day ito have seen Esther
on that day, she looked like the ghost of her
former self came, and with it the stranger,
be of the slouched hat, the top-boots, and
long, pointed moustache.
Good people," said he /" have come for
my child"
" You have come for her ?" said Moses.
have you got the money to pay for her, and
the ticket / gave you ?"
" have, )" replied the stranger, producing
both.
We have thought you might be dead"
replied Moses, a little confused by the stran.
ger producing both money and ticket with
such readiness.
We had hoped you were," added Esther,
growing still paler. 30 sir, leave her with
US Tor while longer, We cannot part with
her, she is like our own daughter. Pray
leave her with u.s."
Little Zerlina had heard the strangers
voice in the shop below, and had crept softly
down the stairs. In a moment more she was
folded in her fathers arms.
Now, good people," he asked, what
has been the cost of my child to your
What shall pay you for your care and trou-
BILE ?"
Then both Moses and his wife told him
how that money could not pay them, for
the love of that child was stronger in the
breasts of those two than the love of money
Leave her with us for while longer, sir, :"
pleaded Esther, =" to keep US company. The
house will be so lonely without ber, and we
are SO fond of her,"
But no it was impossible. His home lay
across the sea. H. had earned money for
her there, and she must 90 to live with him,
far away from those two who had learned to
love her so WELL
Then tho child WAS got ready by Esther
Kisses without number she lavished upon it,
hot tears she shed at parting. Zerlina cried
too, poor little one, and when the last kiss
had been given, the father, bidding both hus-
band and wife adien. lifted the child in his
arms and strobe from the place.
Then Moses stepped straightway out of the
shop. and looking up at the gilded balls, said
aloud -
MY father, Aaron Moss, told me never
to take these down. except to have them
gilt, unless the business ceased to pay. 1t
has ceased to pay. The best piece If prop
erty | ever held has ne out OF this shop.
and been redeemed. 1t brought happiness
with it, and it has left sorrow and gloom be
hind it,"
So Moses took down the three balls with
his own hands. and inviting Esther to follow
him into the cellar. there. in her presence, he
chopped them into the finest possible bits, and
retired thenctforth and forever from the BUS
iness.- Wduerley Magazine.