The Portland daily press., 1869-05-25

Oughly American novel, drawn from the low
est and also from the higher walks Of New
England life. The struggles, the aspirations,
the yearning for a better life in Carly, her
struggles with temptation, aud her triumphs,
must interest every reader, while the good
qualities that unde.lie the rough exterior and
unattractive form of Carrots will make his
future one that you cannot but follow. A few
random selections are here given as an ear
nest of what this capital romance really isl
CHAPTER I.-sTARFIsH ALLEY.
SrARFIsn ALLEY is not place to be
proud or even fond of. II is not healthy,
or a savory or quiet, or convenient locality.
Its centre is a sewer, and its narrow side
walks are conduits for that sewer. The
moldy bricks of its walls reek with the slime
OF corruption and decay, and its atmosphere
is miasma.
With all these disadvantages, however,
few localities can boast such population as
swarms in Starish Alley.
y
Upon the steps of one of the most ill-con-
ditioned houses in the alley, perched with
the air of bird about to take to flight,
young girl, not over sixteen years Of age, and
of beauty striking, as in that place it was
piteous to behold. Her hair, naturally wavy
and of bright chestnut color. was drawn
away from forehead than which that of
Venus is no purer or more classic, and fas-
tened in an enormous coil at the back of her
graceful head
Two steps below sat, or rather lay at full
length, boy of abont ten years of age, dirty,
ragged, and little demon of ugliness, being
possessed ofred hair, obique gray eyes, a
wide mouth, crowded with enormous and ir-
regular teeth, and a skin so covered with
freckles, that its natural complexion had be-
come undistinguishable.
A more frightful contrast than the faces of
these two is not to be imagined, and yet they
we're brother and sister. Their family name
was Cuyler, their baptismal-heaven pardon
the sacrilege Christian-nay, that is
worse-their given names, Caroline. and
Charles, long since changed in Starfish par
lance to Carly and Carrots. Carly did sew
ing for slop-shop, Carrots was a newsboy,
and at the risk of being called a romancer,
we add tina. these ayocations were not only
actual, but actually provided the scanty sub
sstence Of the brother and sister. For lodg-
ings they inhabited a corner of loft, accom-
modating also family of Irish emigrants.
n "
"Oh, just see there!" exclaimed Carly, who
had not heard word either of compliment
or complaint, and who was now bending for.
ward, and pointing eagerly up at the roof of
the opposite house. Mike and Carrots, fol-
lowing her eyes, sa, but failed to comprehend
through the hungry heart of the young girl.
The fiat scuttle of the roof had been
thrown back for air, and in the aperture, like
an angel rising from the grave, appeared the
face and head of child as heavenly in its
beauty as Carly was mortal in hers. Not
tinge of color disturbed the transparent puri-
ty of the skin, not a movement broke the
classic repose of the features. The eyes,
raised adornglyto the sky, were blue and
soft as that SKY on the morn of a fine day;
the hair, floating lightly upon the shoulders,
was of a pale gold, lighted to glory by the
last rays of the setting sun. Two slender
hands were elapsed in mute alteration upon
the breast, and so much as was to be seen of
the figure was naked as man comes into and
goes from the world Carly looked as at a
vision, holding her very breath in admira
tion.
"Wot's thatl never seed any snch young
un round the alley!" exclaimed Carrots at
last.
"Blowed if don't believe it's Sullivan's
That's his room, any way" added Mike, who
lodged in the house under discussion.
At this moment dark and hairy arm, ter
Ininating in clawlike hand, slid swiftly up
the child's white body, and twined itself in
the halo of golden hair. The cherubic Wis
ion suddenly disappeared, ard from the win
dow issued instead the sound of whistling,
blows and of inarticulate lamentation.