Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-06-30
Bread on the Waters.

Please, sir, will you buy my chestnuts p
@Chestnuts2 MOI" returned Ralph Moore,
looking carelessy down on the upturned face,
whose large brown eyes, shadowed by tan
gled curls Of haAen hair were appealing s.
.pislllly TO his own, "What do l wan
I with ohestnuts ?"
But, please sir do buy EN- pleaded tn
little one, reassured by the rough kindness 0
his lone " Nobody seems to care for 'en-
inland"
She fairly burst into tears, and Moore, who
had been on the point of brushing by her
stopped instinctiyely.
"Are you very much in want of the
money 2"
Indeed sir, we are" sobbed the child
" mother sent me out, and"
" Nay, little one, do not cry in such a
broken-hearted way" said Ralph, smoothing
her hair down with careless genteness
don't want your chcstnuts, but here is quar-
ter for you, if that will do you any good"
He did not stay to hear the delighted inco-
herent thanks the child pourea out through a
rainbow Of smiles and tears, but strobe on his
way, muttering between his teeth
+" That cuts off my supply of cigars for the
next twenty-tour hours. don't care though,
for the brown-eyed object did cry as If she
hadn't friend in the world. Hang it, |
wish was rich enough to help every poor
creature out of the Slough of Despond !"
While Ralph Moore was indulging in these
reflections the dark -orbed little damsel whom
he had confronted, was dashng down the
street with quick elastic step, utterly regard
less of the basket Of the unsold nuts that dan-
gled upon her arm. Down an obscure lane
She darted, between tall ruinous rows of old
houses, and up narrow wooden staircase to
to a room whore pale, neat looking woman
with large brown eyes like her own, was sew
ing as if the breath of life depended on every
stitch, and two little ones were playing in the
sunshine that temporarily supplied the place
of the absent FIRE
Mary, back already Surely you have
not sold your chestnuts so soon ~
IS No, mother, mother see p ejaeula!ed the
breathless child. A gentleman gave me a
whole quarter Only think mother, whole
quarter"
If Ralph Moore could only have seen the
rapture which his tiny silver gin dihused
around it, in the poor widows poverty-strick-
On home, he would have grudged still less the
temporary privation of cigars to which his
generosity had subjected him.
|
Years came aud went. The little chestnut
girl passed as entirely out Of Ralph Moore's
memory as if her pleading eyes had never
touched the soft spot in his heart but Mary
Lee never forgot the stanger who had given
her the silver piece.
The crimson window curtains were closely
drawn to shut out the storm aud tempest o.
the bleak December night the fire was glow
ing cbeerfully in the well-fled crate. and the
dinner table all in IA glitter with cut glass
rare china, and polished silver, only waiting
for the presence of Mr.. Audley.
" What can it be that detains papa Y said
Mrs, Audley, a fair, handsome matron OF
about thirty, as she glanced at the dial OF o
tiny enameed watch. "Six o'clock, and he
does not make his appearance
There's man with him in the study
mamma-come on business" said Robert
Audley, pretty boy Of eleven years old,
who was reading by the FIRE.
" I'll call him again." said Mrs. Audley,
stepping to the door.
But as she opened it, the brilliant gas-lighi
fell full on the face Of All humble looking
man in threadbare garments, who was leaving
the house, while her husband stood in tn,
doorway of his study, apparently relieved to
be rid Of his visitor.
Charles, said Mrs Audley, whose check
had paed and flushed, "who is that man
and what does he want ?"
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