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

Ileigh ho!' sighs Mr.. Patron, "what a
forlorn tLingit is to liycalo r. and he drew
his easy chair close to he fire and ensconccd
himself therein, wrapping Lis tri-colorei dress
ing gown about him. " wish were mar
ricd know laly-boards in this same
house, too and believe she'd have me. if
were to ask her mean the pretty music
teacher. She is young, delicate, and omiable 4:
only there seems to be something melancholy
about her, as though she had known sorrow !;
besides, she is widow. like her, though,
and bclivc she likes me. III think this over.
have plenty of money, and nobody to spend
it upon. Yes, think will ask pretty Mad
anne Victor to marry me"
Rap tap, tap.
Come in who's there %
"pleasc, sir, it's your clean clothes 2"
"Clean clothes and pray who are YOU you
little cherub, and where DO you come from ?"
am Lauretta, sir, and live with Bird get,
who washes your clothes, and she sent me with
the basket tonight"
Yes should think she Lad, you little
duckliug; and the basket is bigger than your
self Come and sit down in this chair by the
fire aud warm your toes-thcre, now | want
to talk with you. Are YOU Bnigot's clild?"
ooh no, sir" and look of care passed over
the little face.
"No thought not. Wa,herwomen's child
rcn don't have such eyes, nor such broad fore
heads, nor such soft hair. Well, birdie, how
came YOU with Bridget? Have you no pa
rcuts?"
d" l don't know, I only dream have Brid-
get lets me stay with her because can sing"
"Sngl and what has that to do with it ?''
ooh, sir, sing my songs in the great
houses and they give me sixpcnccs, and l take
them to Bridget"
"Aha! you pay your board then? Well,
l.tle Laurotta, will you sing for me uow?'
Is Yes, indeed; :" and the little one stands up
in the middle of the rug, aud opening her 1T
lie rosebud mouth, she sings Clsta Diva :"
Bless my stars, what a voice! know
something Of music myself; at least enough
to know that such a voice should be fortune
to the one who possesses it. Little one, where
did you learn that?"
Nurse taught me"
Nurse? Who is nurse ?7
Nurse is dcad!" The dark eyes fill with
tears, and the ruby lips are quivcring.
Mr.. Patron walks up and down the room.
His curiosity is excited as well as his pity.
please, sir, shall I leave my basket? Bird
get viii sc9ld if stay so long"
No. little one, viii carry the basket; !
am going home with you."
"Itsu mp five fights of stairs, sir, and there
is no light in the passage"
" All the more reason I loud % with you.-
Now I am ready. Conc my little singer. you
and / will be better acquainted before long.
Don't fall down these stone steps; keep hold
of my hand here we are in Broadway. Now
where do we turn? down Prince street, hey
and now down Crosby. What do you live in
this alley? Oh, never fear, little Casta Diva
| shall tread safely enough while this little
hand leads me- Ugh how many more
flights are there only two? Well, well,
can climb them if you can. So, is tlis tie
door?
och, and is It you sir, that would be aflher
coming to see a poor woman at this hour
VIII yal be seated, ?7 said Bridget, wipius
q wooden chair with her apron. Your shirts
were not ironed to be suiting You, maybe ~
Shirts al right, Bridget. came to bring
home your little girl, and to ask you something
about her. She has been singing to nc
VIII you tell me where she came from p
" Ye takes a deal O trouble for a lone bit Of
a child, indeed, sir; but her story is not 50
very long. She lived with furrin woman in
the room below, named Theresa. The woman
said she was waiting maid in Lauretta's fami-
ly, in Italy somewhere, and while she was out
with the child, then only two years old, for
the sake Of the air, there came a big row in the
city, and the chiIds father was in the middle
of it. and got kilt and when she reached the
house all in fright, sure it was all on fire, and
the mother oft gone, and niver was she able
to find Der at ALL So she kept the child and
comes " America witlit for she heard tell