Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1870-07-16


when she came and found nary gold nor food
but for working, she had to go to work as all
we poor creatures do; and she took in wash
ing in the one room down stairs; but niver q
bit would she let this child do for itself, but
waited on it like slave, and only taught it to
sing "as lis mother did before H." she said;
and last year Theresa died. This poor little
creather took on so bad that took her NY
self only I'll be bringing her up different IN
tirely; I'll tache her 70 earn her bread az any
rate; and SO I sends her out livery day to sing
to the great folks, and makes her help me to
carry around the clothes; and that is all,
sir"
at was very good in you, Bridget, to take
the little orphan. You have saved her from
sad fate. You will be rewarded, you may de-
pend"
Bridget raised her eyebrows and dropped
courtesy, while little Casta Diva as Mr.. Pa
tron then and ever since has called her, bid
her face in the bed and sobbed to hear her
story related The kind gentleman looked at
her tenderly, and then continued:
81 have plan for this poor child, which
viii at once relieve you Of your charge aud re-
pay you for your goodness Of heart. Good
night, little ono, will come tomorrow. Dry
your tears, for l will yet make you happy.
Here, Bridget, is some money for you, and
be sure you do not send her out to sing again.
l have something better orhe 20 do"
Bridget dropped another courtesy, and her
mouth opened wide, for she was all mystfed
and bewidered.
An hour later and }ir. Patron is again scat
ed in his easy chair before his bright coal fire,
with bis drcssing-gown once more f3ldeiabout
him. The only difference is that he smiles
instead Of signing as he did before
"Ab, yes" he says. 81 see my way clear.
can now, without hesitation, call upon Madam
Victor in her room, to interest her about my
little Casta Diva will tell her the story, aud
engage her to cultivate tie voice Of my little
tro,eqe. will see her tomorrow morning,
andperhaps she will accompany me TO Brlgcts
lodging. Not a very romantic walk to invite
the lady Of my heart to share, but then the cir
cumstauces are peculiar
" Now think Of It, I must engage Of my
landlady the little bedroom next to mine.
am determined to adopt This singing chcrub rs
my own. will change her name to Cls;a
Diva Patron. 1t sounds musical, aud she is
music itself. Ifswcct Madam Victor only sees
in her what do, we shall be an amazingly
happy family. declare, feel like a husband
and father already. shall find enough to Do
with my money after all.
And so he goes to bed and dreams flis fu-
ture joys until he fairly laughs aloud in bis
sleep.
Now it is morning. and ifyou willput your
head out Of the door you can see Linn going
along the hall. lie stops a. No. G-knocks
gently; but the rich toned piano, touched by
a thrilling hand, does not allow so love-likc
tap to be heard. This time he knocks louder;
the music stops aud the door is opened by a
beautiful woman, who smiliugIy invites lin to
enter. Well don't wonder lie fell in love
with her They close the door. Let's you
and so peep in at the key-holc and hear
what they say; I'll never tciI-wi.l ou2-
Harkl Well, after all, can't tell what they
said now, because promised wouldn't; bGt
Mr.. Patron has staid in there q great while, and
he didn't ask her to sing or play once all the
time
Now the door opens again, aud they come
out together; he in his oyercoat and bat, SIZE
in Lcr cloak and velvet bonnet lie looks very
much excited aud SIZE looks pale and trembIcs
so she can hardly speak. She takes soGercd
arm and goes down stairs aud ou. the street
door. DO believe tLey are going to Br.dgets.
And So they were.
Good Mr. Patron walks slowly down with
the swcc. LADY, f5r she has every reason to
tremJIc; she believes slcis Iauretta'smamma;
for size las been telling her friend how herhus
band was killed in a mob one dreadful day,
because lie was q great politician, and wien
they burned his house they took her and threw
her into prison, where She remained whole
year, and only made her escape Wien, during
terrible troubles in Italy the prison doors were
unLarrcI 20 all
She had sough: frantcaliy Tor her Child, Jut
in vain; aud believing that both L7urc,ta aud
her nurse were crushed in the same mob that
killed her husband, Sic came to America to try
to earn her livelihood among hospitaJIe strau-
gers by her fac musical education and uacom-
mon voice.
Malam Victor believes tlat Laureta is her
child, because their tvo stories are 50 strangely
alike. Five years have passed. since she bad
left Italy; bat size knows her eyes viii not de-
ceiye her. Her baby's features are ilde.iOiy
engraved upon her heart.
Her kind friend supports heFup .lc five
flights Of stairs, and then Size stops to take
breath and nerve herself f5re-ther intense hap
piness or heavy Disappointment.
They are about to enter the room when Q it
tie voice groets her ear singing. wilma wonder
ful power aud expression, an Italian melody,
which the lady herself used 70 sing in bar own
sunny land. Size stops and gra-ps the arm Of