Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1869-01-29
SELECTED STORY
BREAD CAST UPON THE WATERS.

please, sir, will you buy my chest
nuts 2" .a N~
s.Chestnuts Mop returnd Ralph Moore,
looking carelessly down on the upturned
face, whose large brown eyes, Swallowed by
tangled curls Of faxen hair, were appealing
so pitifully to his own, What do I want with
chestnuts?'' s st
But please, sir, do buy 'em," pleaded the
little one, treasured by the rough kindness
of his tone.g Nobody seems to care for
them, and--and-
She fairly burst into tears, and Moore, who
had been on the point of brushing carelessly
past her, stopped Immediately.
: - Ale e. you very much in want of the
money" - l23 y III.
Indeed, sir, we are,'' sobbed the child,
+ s'mother sent me out, and"
eNay, little one, don't cry in such heart
broken way" said Ralph, smoothing her
hair. down with careless gentleness. Il
don't want your chestnuts, but here's a quar-
ter for YOU, if that will do you any good .
He did not stay to hear the elighted, in
coherent thanks the child poured out through
rainbow Of smiles and tears; but strobe
on his way, muttering between his teeth:
s.That cuts off my supply ofcigars for the
next twenty-four hours. dontcare though,
for the brown-eyed object really did cry as il
she hadn't friend in the world. Hang it
| I wish [ was rich enough to help every poor
creature out of the slough of despond.'
| While Ralph Moore was INDUCING in
these very natural reflections, the dark orbed
little damsel whom he had comforted was
dashing down the street, with quick, elastic
step. utterly .regardles Of the basket of I'M
sold nuts that still dangled upon her arm.
Down an obscure lane she darted, between
tall ruinous rows Of houses, and up a mar
row wooden staircase to room where a
pale CHASTITY looking woman. with large
brown eyes like her own, was sewing as bu-
silly as if the breath Of life depended upon
every stitch, and two little ones were con-
tentedly playing in the sunshine that tempo
rarily supplied the place of the absent fire.
HsMary back already? Surely you have
not sold your chestnuts so soon p
''Oh, mother mother see p calculated the
breathless child CA gentleman gave me a
whole quarter! Only think, mother whole
quarter f..
If Ralph Moore could only have seen the
rapture which his tiny silver gift diffused a.
round it, in the poor widows poverty strick-
en- home, he would have grudged still less
the temporary privations Of cigars to which
his generosity J had subjected j him \
Years came and went The 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 stranger who had given
her the silver piece.
The crimson window curtains we're closely
drawn to shut out the storm and tempest of
the bleak December night-the fire was
glowing cheerily in the well filled CRATE,
and the dinner table all in a glitter with cut
glass, rare china, and polished silver, was
only waiting for the presence of Mr.. Audley.
"What can it be that detains papa ?"
said Mrs Audley, fair, handsome matron
Of about thirty, as she glanced at the dial of
tiny enameled watch '.Six o'clock and he
does not make his appearance" =
b lHGIC . d liIdll WILL HILL Ill 'tHC Stuuy,
mamma-come on business" said Robert
Audley, pretty boy, eleven years old, who
was reading by the fire.
''I'll call him again." said Mrs. Audey,
stepping to the door.
But as she opened it, the brilliant gas
light fell full upon the face of an humble
looking man, in worn and threadbare gar
ments, who was leaving the house, while her
husband stood in the doorway of his study,
apparently relieved to be rid Of his visitor
Charles said Mrs. Audley, whose
cheek had paled and flushed, 'Fwho is that
man-and what does he want %
ellis name is Moore, believe, and he
came to see if I would bestow upon him the
vacant lnessengersbip in the bank D
s'And will your"
II don't know, Mary-I must think
about it,"
''Charles, give him the situation"
why, my love ~
because I ask it of you as q favor, and
you have said thousand times you would
not deny me anything"
''And I will keep my word, Mary" said
LilC lONCI uuoOddO, Will GIL dlCStlOnatC Nloo.
sPll write the fellow a note this very even
ing ] believe Pye got his address some
where about me-"
An hour or two later, when Bobby, and
Frank and little Minnie were tucked snugly
in bed, in the spacions nursery above stairs,
Mrs. Audlcy told her husband why she was
interested in the fate Of man whose face she
had-not seen, for twenty years
CHATS r right, my lille itt wife !" said her
husband, folding her fondly to his breast,
when the simple tale was concluded ! "neYer
forget one who had been kind to you in the
days when you needed kindness most
Ralph Moore was sitting the self same
night in his poor lodgings, beside his ailing
wife's sick bed, when a liveried servant
brought note from that rich and prosper
GUS bank director, Charles Audley.
"Good news, Bertha" he exclaimed JOY
ously, as he read the brief words, eve shall
not starve-Mr, Audley promises me the va
cant situation p
"You have dropped something from the
note, Ralph" said MIR. Moore, pointing to a
sin of paper that Law on the floor