New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-05-03

Oiu lauYs Inere IOlQS tnem Jenuerly 10 AeA
sorrowing heart, and quietly turns her steps
to her new home and her new labor.
Oh, what merciful providence it is that
God may so peculiarly be the Father of the
afflicted ones of earth, for save in him little
comfort indeed is to be found for sorrows
such as filled the heart of our orphaned
Mary; but she was safe under the hollow of
his hand, and every sigh assembled into
his ear, and every tear was waited up upon
the breath of angels to exhale a sweet in
cense around the throne of Jehovah for
ever, there to plead for the three orphaned
lives upon earth.
Mary was treated kinder by the Smiths
than she had expected, but her labors were
far too great for such a mere child. They
soon learned her value, and scarcely mo-
ment's rest was allowed her throughout
the entire day, and it was well
she had stipulated for her evenings
in the little attic, for here was sweet re-
pose and quiet rest. After she had heard
Willies lessons and Elias letters, had given
them their cooling bath, heard their pray
ers, tucked them into the white bed, and
pressed the lingering goodnight kiss upon
the baby lips she liked to throw up the
window, seat herself in her mothers COM
Portable chair and yield herself up to
thoughts of the loved dead, and reviewing
the day, question her heart of its every
motive spring; and, aye, of dreaming OF the
| future, that Beulah to the young and hope
tul That little attic, rude and unfinished
as it was, was comfortable spot; so magical
is the hand of industry, neatness, and taste.
Then, too, it was far from the dregs and set
things of earth, and opened ont upon the
clear heavens, seeming to bring her nearer
to God, the angels, mother, and father. And
her communing here ever brought strength
for the morrow.
A number of gay, reckless gallants
focked around the Smiths, hoping with one
of the daughters to grasp the old mans
boarded gold. The presence of these was
most revolving to Mary, and kept her ever
on her guard to prevent liberty which
such might venture upon with a pretty
servant girl.
Mary's tasks are over, and she emerges
from che gate of the Smith mansion to wend
|
been a very trying one Mary is not quite
well, and weary and half.sick she pauses
and leans against the railing to breathe in
fresh air and gain strength for the walk
before her; and as she pauses picture OF
the neat attic, with its sweet rest and shield
ing quiet, and the happy faces and glad
welcome of the little ones rises up before her,
and calls forth loviag smile. Her soul is
there, and she heeds not staggering steps
behind her, until a drunken arm slides
around her, and clasps her with the tena-
cious purpose of a halfdrunken villain.
quick look into the most repulsive face OF
, all the Smith guests, and with low, sup
pressed scream she sprang forward, but the
| halfdrunken steps dragged after her, and
she was not released.
: "None of your fine airs with me, my little
miss; l should like to see the servant girl
who is not proud of being clasped in the
arms of -n Before he could finish the SEN
tence firm grasp was laid upon his shoul
/ der, and he was hurled full into the centre
! of the street.
MARY, l know who you are, but as am 8
stranger to you will not force my company
upon YOU in consequence of the slight serv
. ice l have done you, but you are not able
! to walk and must permit me to place you IL
a carriage
r W''I thank you, sir, but can not; it woulc
not look well for Mary, the servant girl. Il
: ride up to her little attic home in carriage
5 I must walk; the necessity will give mt
3 strength. For what you have done anC
l would do God will bless you. Good night
: sir" And Mary moved quickly away, whil'
# Albert Ray stood looking at her totterinl
e steps and feeling it shame upon mankind
r that society should deny that lovely girl
Y carriage to bear her sinking frame home.
v Arrived there, the fitful strength of ez
n citement forsook her, and it was with grea
n effort she dragged her weary, sinking bod
up to the little attic. There the wailing or
J. of agony almost escaped the deadly lips; bu
one look at the frightened little faces, an
the cry was hushed, and she stopped an
}. kissed them, though she knew not that sh
l. did it.
For a moment she staggered FORWARD
l pressed her almost bursting head upon tt
cold glass, looked agonizingly out into I'll
h far depths of the blue heavens, turned an
n excused the little ones from their lesson
II prepared them for bed, gave them their goo
If night kiss, and bade them speak not
o. word, that she was sick and must be quie
to But Willie whispered low to Ella, " Sistt
re looks so white tonight, just like mother di'
Is let US pray to God not to take her too"
ly And the two fell asleep praying for sist
to be spared to them. When their regul
or breathing told Mary that they sleept Il
s, over taxed, tensely stretched nerves ga
1t, way, and the low, gushing cry unto G,
nd came forth as she sank to the floor and bu
ut led her head within the cushions of ht
er mothers arm chair. 1t was bat one or
TO- but it rang throughout the vaulted dom
ITS of heaven, aud pierced the listening ear
Ior Jehovah, who sent forth the overrulil
Ter spirit of mans destiny to touch the bra
nd with madness, that the aching heart mig
irs find oblivion of pain. When the mornil
lst came and Mary moved not down the stail
en- the old woman hobbled up and foul
ng her stretched upon the floor. raving in &
he delirium Of a high fever
nd
Chapter Nv.
on Look through your open window, the
en- is lovely home; no dazzling gliding n
90 gorgeous satins to glare upon the sig
and half beWilder the brain, bnt refreshir
N. green and white and blue and white han