The native Virginian. [volume] (Orange Court House, Va.) 1867-187?, 1868-07-24
ORANGE COURT HOUSE. vA FRIDAY MORNING "a 1868.

40 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 impabient-
1y.
"I have no change nov. You must |
call again. Johf, show her to the
door ~
The footman obeyed, and Louise soon
found herself upon the marble steps, |
while the lefty door closed in her face
with heartless slam. The wind howl
ed more dismally than ever, and the
keen, stinging sleet fell like 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 90 back to her desolate home,
and tell her poor mother that she had
failed to collect her hard-earned wages;
tell her that they were not able to buy
so much as solitary loaf? Was it right
that others should have so much, while
they lacked daily bread? Just then
something beneath her foot. soft and
slippery, almost threw her to the pave
ment. Looking down she saw pock-
et-book. She caught it UP with sttp-
pressed. cry,.ahd thrusting it into her
bosom, dartcd off ut the speed OF an an
telope. At last, out of breath and be-
| side herself with excitement. SHE pans-
| cd beneath lamp-post, and after glanc-
| ing stealthily around her, drew the
| treasure from her bosom. 1t was large,
thick, and heavy. Her fingers fiutter-
| ed nervously as she unclasped it; and
when she caught sight of the green
| notes it contained she uttered cry OF
delight, and da rted off again like some-
thing insane. Mother andWillie should
have all they needed now
Just beyond the bakers shop, To-
| wards which she bent her steps, SOL
dier met her.
| .Little girl" he said, arresting her
flying steps, ssyou didn't find pocket
book as you came along, did you?''
Louise paused single instant, ner
heart fluttering like frightened bird;
then, as Thought of her mother and
Willie flashed through her mind, she
answered.
"No, SIR"
"Well, it is gone, suppose" and the
soldier passed on, while Louise hurried
away in the opposite direction.
By the time she reached the bakers
she was in a 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,
uncasped it and took out 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 could 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 trembled
and her cheeks burned. She glanced
down at the note she held, and saw with
a start of horror, it was for fifty dollars.
What had she done Robbed the man
of his money, and he soldier. With a
cry. clutching the pocket-book In one
hind and the fifty dollar bill in the 9TH
err, she darted from the shop and down
the snowy street. Just square OF 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, despairing look on his
face. Louise was ut his side in an in
slant.
80, SIR" painting for breath. her hood
thrown back, her blue eyes wild and
startled, and her bright hair blown all
about her flushed face" did find your
pocket book; here it is. l took this note
out, but | couldn't spend it. Mothers
almost starved, and little Willie will
die without his medicine, but 1 cant
steal-I can't; take it back
: The soldier took the money from the
half-frozen little hand that held it te
him; then lifting the child in his arms,
he smoothed back her tangled locks and
, looked down into her pale, tear-stained
, | - Nth art lan His
! swarthy cheeks grew pale, and his beard
, ed lips began to tremble.
: .Louise, Louise !" he said, his voice
, full of thrilling tenderness; 'poor little
, darling, don't you know me 7"
The child looked up. and then hel
cry of delight rang out clear and joy
. Gus.
80, papa, we thought you were dead
bat you've come back to us again."
.Yes, darling," his bl oad breast heay'
ing with suppressed eagerness.-
/ "Where is your mother? Take me tt
her."
!, Louise sprang from his arms, and sho
oft like an arrow down the brilliantly
. lighted street, through the squalid al
E leys and dark by-lanes, and the soldier
followed her.
q Mrs. Halpine sat in her eomfortles
: attic, hushing her sick child upon hel
bosom.
K "Mamma, mamma, I'm so hungry
n please give me so tie tea" the little tel
!; low moaned, clasping his hot arms a
round her neck.
n But the last spark of fire had gone out
and Louise did not come.
s "Wait a moment, darling-just mo
q ment longer"
3 And the patient little one waited, ant
q the cold, gray shadows settled dow
darker ard darker; and the poor mothe
a orasped the child closer to her bosom
o dreaming of happy days gone by, an'
!, of the dear husband who had gone Il
: his last, long home, with no tender hant
h to close his eyes.
n The shadows grew heavier and darker
: the winds moaned dismally; the snow
r and sleet tinkleG sharply against tn
i windows.
= 80. mamma, please make light =
:, I'm so cold, and the dark makes M
afra:d.n
Il await little bit longer, darling
: Louise will come soon."
4 At last came noise below, bound
n ing, iovous step upon the stairs, AM
Louise burst into the room, her lac
q glowing and radiant.
20. mother, MOTHER" she cried, "fatfi
II er's not dead. He's alive; he's com
i back to us again !"
The soldiers wife rose TO her feet
n grasplng at the bed-post for support; a
: She did so, strong arms clasped her to
r. warm and loving bosen1.
o Louise crept to her fathers feet, he
n blue eyes swimming with tears.
30, father what if had kept it?
n she asked, with tears in her eyes.
o. "Then, dear, you would have nc
o found me. Always remember tina