Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1869-05-14
SELECTED STORY
THE LOST POCKET-BOOK.

1t was a cherries afternoon. A biting,
freezing wind drove the slow-drifting snow
before it like a binding mist and the clouds
hung so low as almost to touch the black
roofs ofthc houses.
s.How desolate it is" Mrs. Halpinc
sighed, glancing out from her attic window
on the gloomy prospect below. as she
smoothed and folded the garment she had
lust completed; sand the colds SO bitter.
don't like to, send you out Louise ; but
there's not a lump o fcoal, or a dust Of -four,
and Willie must have the medicine. I'd go
myself, but
40 mother, no! let me go; I don't mind
if it is cold. I'll hurry back"
And the little girl sprang up from the low
seat beside the infants cradle, and began to
fasten on her faded cloak and hood.
"Well I suppose that you must" the
mother continued, as she wrapped up the
delicately embroidered garment. "You
know the place? Mr. Rawdon's on Tenth
Street-that brown stone"
Eyes, yes. mother! | know"
"Well dear. run fast and keep yourself
warm, and say to Mrs. Rawdon that I'd
have finished the work before if Willie hadn't
been. SO. sick. Three dollars she owes me.
You can call at the bakers and get q loaf or
two" 90 So ~ 0t
The child took the bundle and vanished
out of sight down the dreary fight of steps,
while the mother turned back on the cradle
where the sick child lay. He held up his
little hands and moaned SO piteously.
"Giye me some tea, mamma, Pm so dry"
eyes, darling, just as soon as Louise
comes"
Her eyes filed with tears as she raised
the little fellow to her bosom, clasping him
closely to keep him warm, for there was 10
fire in the stove, and the desolate attic room
was very comfortless. Yet there had been
a day when this same pale-faced, meek-eyed
woman sat in a luxurious chamber, with ev-
cry comfort that heart could wish within her
reach, and a doting husbands strong arm
CT love to encircle and protect her. But her
husband was dead, laying unknown on SON
distant battlefield, and her riches had made
themselves wings and flown away. Forlorn
and fricndless, sick at heart, and weary
from incessant toll, she sat with her wailing
babe upon her bosom. gazing out with hope
less, fearful eyes upon the dismal scenes
beneath her attic window. a
In the meanwhile, little Louise made her
way through narrow by-streets and squalid
alleys into the most populous and fashiona-
BILE part of the city. The biting cold wind
still continued to blow with a drear, sad
dening wall, drifting the low, leaden clouds
and the mist-like snow. But she walked on
bravely, and at last reached Mrs. Rawdon's.
A dazzling glow Of light poured upon the
frosty air Mrs. Rawdon was giving a grand
party in honor Of her eldest daughters birth
night. Louise crept up the marble steps
and pulled the bell. A footman in livery
answered her timid summons.
"Can I see Mrs. Rawdon, please sir p
she asked.
.See Mrs Rawdon, indeed and she in
the parlor in the very middle Of the COM
pany. OF course you can't.
He was closing the door, but Louise
caught at his sleeve, and, cried impIoring-
ly.
20, Sir! please wait. Here's the work
she wanted-Miss Violet's frock' you know.
Mother promised it by tonight; do let me
take it up to her"
The man hesitated q moment, and then
turned back.
-ssMiss Violet's frock ?" he said, "she's
wanted it, [ know. I heard her fussing be-
cause it didn't come home. May be she'll
see you I'll try, anyhow. Come in here
and wait"
Louise followed him through the arched
hall and past the glitteripg parlors. into a
kind of ante-room adjoining the supper a
partment. Here motioning her to a seat,
he went in search of his mistress. But it
was full half an hour before Mrs. Rawdon
could ~disengage herself from her guest; and
poor Louise, tired with waiting, and be-
numbed with cold, was just on the point of
bursting into tears when the lady stepped
into the room.
This is a pretty business, now isn't it :"
she began, as she received and unfolded tn
bundle that Louise proffered her. II thought
you promised to bring this yesterday :"
eyes, ma'am; but Willie was so sick
that mother couldn't sew"
ooh yes that's always the way; you
have some excuse ready; but I sha'nt trust
you again, you may depend upon it.
Here Violet's been crying for an hour,
ard refused to come down because she
was so disappointed about her dress, John
ring the bell for Jane to take it up to her,
I must go back to the parlor now"
She was sweeping out, her satin robes
rustling after but Louise sprang up with
a cry: !,
10, ma'am /! little brothers so i'll, and
must have his medicine please let me have
the money" at-ts
II can't tonight +; / am entirely o Of
change. You can call day after to-morroW:"
But Louise was not to be repulsed, She
caught the lady's hand in both Of her little
frozen palms. One of the rings that adorn-
ed Mrs. Rawdon's soft fingers would have
procured all the comforts her mother and
little Willie needed, Some such thing
flashed through the child's mind as she made
her appeal. 80 madam ! you are rich and
bornv and have all you want hit nv little