The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-03-07

fS4Ke tnlos ana II confess that 6Hdddered
II T"fsh loathing % I slid from the sweet little
hand TO the dirty one outstretehed to re-
ceive me- ~ There was in Che boy 3 thankful
look so much Of famine that little Inez in
voluntary asked: '''''( A'. IA"
"sOhl so hungryi The sharp, eager
cry was startling in its intensity. IL
"'Wait moment" and little Inez sped
| quickly to the castle, and soon re-appeared,
bringing with her q small basket that the
housekeeper had filed with substantial
food. :, The little ,beggar actually trembed
from the strength of the hungry craving
within him, and slipping me into his pocket
where 1 was fain to lie by the side of vile
head of garlic, he greedily held out both
hands.
Here, little boy, take the basket, too; /;
take it home with you. Have you homer
No. My mother is sick and starving
in that old hut up there, waving his hand
up the highway.
Poor woman! I'll ask papa to send
some one to her, said the little girl, turn
ing back to the CASTLE
THE boy plunged his hand into the
basket and commenced devonring whatever
came to his eager clutch. I fancy that
wolves, almost famished in consequence of
the dreadful snow storms in their native
forests, must eat, when a morsel falls in
their way, as that boy ate then, crunohing
their food with fierce JOY, nor leaving off
until the last craving has been satisfied. He
got up at last, and taking the basket went
slowly on until he came to the dilapidated
hut where his mother lay dying. With n
half frightened look, he pushed open the
creaking door and entered. On heap of
filthy straw, in corner of the room, was q
woman, who had once been young and
beautiful and pure. God help herl she was
neither now; and she was going-oh 80
swiftly-to that land where the pure only
shall see God. She lay moaning feebly,
never noticing the boy as he entered and
set his basket on the ground floor. Sud
denly wild, unnatural light came into the
vaguely in the air.
"'My God! she cried, with spasmodic
energy, has it come to this? Am L dying,
and vengeance not yet tasted? Tell me,
child her eyes flashing around the room
and lighting on the boy. oh! tell me. is
this death2 Yes, not awaiting an answer,
L know it is death; my sight is failing, and
my heart is cold within me-.
'She was quiet awhile, with the breath
coming in quick, short gasps
Come here, William stretching her
hand towards the child.
i am here, mother
"She put her hand in her bosom, and at
last, from its hiding place in the rags that
partly covered her form, drew out long,
keen dagger, and placing it in the boys
hand, said:
Twenty years ago, he came with words
OF guile and won me from my happy Eng
lish home-won me but to destroy. It
broke my mothers heart, and laid my
fathers white head in the grave. For ten
years followed him, his very slave; the
last year 1 carried you in my arms. He
had long been tired of my faded face, but
would not leave him. Your cries, though
his own child, exasperated him beyond en-
durance, and on some pretence he sent us
away, promising that we should come again.
I have never seen him since. He was in
the army; Lieutenant, when he took
me from my home; Colonel when he
sent me away; he is General now, and
commands the fort below here
"'When learned his desertion, was ill
for long time-my life had been but q
broken one for many years, but now it
withered and died within me. I did not
pray then; cannot pray now, though am
wicked-oh! so wicked! But I loneed to
live to see him once more-not to 90 back
and be his dog as had been, but to plunge
this dagger into his false heart, and let the
black blood wash out all my wrongs. I
have followed him from country to country,
often for days and days with no bread in
my mouth, but with vengeance ever in my
heart. And now, when I am 30 near him,
for he is just below here at Gibraltar, I am
stricken down. I have not been so near
him as now for ten years, yet will never
see him. Death has taken possession of me;
and.heis my murderer, has slowly murdered
me for twenty years.
"'Ohl mother, don't die See, 1 have
money-such bright, new piece, and he
took me out; this will take you to Gibral-
tar. where the bad man lives You need
not walk over the rough roads any more
"'No, child, will never walk any more,
the voice almost inarticulate. Listen to
me-take my dying commands. Put the
money into your pocket, you will need it;
take this dagger. 90 to Gibraltar and seek