Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1870-01-03

the squire, VINO nau tutueu atOunu, "e'N o~S
both of his hands towards Lucy, and Lucy laid
her own in them, and looked up into his
benevolent old face, with
"Oh, it is something I've longed so to ask
you. May 1 walk home with you, Squire
Raymond?"
"May your OF course you may. But how
fine we are this morning in such pretty pink
gown, and bran new hat, or miss my guess,
and fresh shine on our golden curls What
is it all for? A trap to take the old mans
heart by storm?" And now the squire's mel
low laugh foated out on the pleasant air.
Perhaps. But, come, you must not talk
any more such nonsense, for must tell You all
about it,"
Well, 60 on, little one. OF course must
mind the Queen Of the Town" "Then Imay
say it? was little afraid. Squire Ray
mond, did you see that girl in black dress,
aud with black ribbons upon her hat? Doyou
know Susan Garnet"
al can't say that know her, though moth
er and have seen her going by our door a
deal lately and wondered where she came from.
She's got good face, but mother says its too
much like a woman's to be natural. But what
of her, child ?"
well, she's no father or mother, and she's
iustlivng up to Mr.. Perry's, clear beyond the
crossing, and she makes beds, and sweeps
rooms, and washes dishes, besides running Of
errands, and waiting and tending upon Carrie
and Sophy Perry"
"And don't doubt but they keep her in
business. don't care to be unkind, but they
are hard people, and I'll warrant the child gets
no rest. Mother said she looked all tagged
out, the poor dear. mind, now, they were
the very words she said"
"And so she is all tagged out all the time
Just as tired as death. And then she walks
mile and more to school, and she has to sweep
the sChoolroom and take care Of the halls and
the lobbys, for they do not so much as pay
her schooling, and she has such dreadful
side ache; but she never complains. Oh, sh,
is so bravc-such dear brave girl, Squire
Raymond" !"
so she is-so she is, one Of thousand :
and now Squire Raymond turned his head a
little from Lucy Day, that she might not Sc,
the suspicious moisture il his eyes, adding
But go on, little one"
And-and-oh, will you not take her D
You have no girl of your own, and it woul'
be $3.50 nice if you only would" And nov
Susan Day lifted her eyes pleadingly to Squir
Raymond's face, and the bright color came an,
went in her checks.
That's it. Lucy Day, you've hit the nai
right on the head Wen take her, and n
mistake She's too good to wait on thos
lazy Perry girls. I'll 60 right home and tall
it over with mother, and we'll have her sette'
in her home before the weeks out--you ma
rest your little heart on that, little one"
"Oh, can't hear any more, I'm so glad-s
happy; everything is $3.50 jolly, aud you ar
the best old darling in the world, you am
Mother Raymond. But may she call you an,
Mrs Raymond father and Mother 2"
Bless your dear little heart, Of course sh
may !" and here the squire fairly broke dowi
and went off on q tangent towards bis hom'
leaving Lucy Day standing in pleasant bewi
derment upon the sidewalk, half sobbing as b,
went off the world was made up Of such
stuff as this Lucy Day twould be a rare, fine
world to live in-God bless her kind it'll,
soul p
And so it came to pass that Susan Garnet
was taken into Squire Raymond's beautiful
home, and, better still, into the loving hearts
of the squire and his wife, with all the honors
and privileges of an only doughterl This was
one Of Lucy Days good works, with which
her young life was constantly filled, and run
ming over