Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-09-22

FOUND A WIFE.

When the theatres were letting out--in
days when the theatre hours were longer
than they are nowhere stepped forth in
to the frosty winter night amid crowd
OF playgoers, n man of about four-and-
twenty and about the middle height,
broad shouldered, dark-haired, and with
black eyes-a very handsome man, and
dressed in style which, costly and ele-
giant. became him wonderfully we'll Yet,
handsome, wealthy, and pleasure seek
er, as he plainly was, there was look
upon his fade which bespoke discomfort
and weariness-the look, too, of one who
has plunged into dissipation for the sake
OF driving away thought. And this, in
deed, was the case. Jilted by one whom
he had given his hearts best love, Harry
Bolton young millionaire, with naturally
1 fine endowments OF mind and heart, had
! for some time pursued "a life which threat
ened to rob him of health and fortune.
He gambled, he drank; he acted the
profigate in a thousand ways, and all
without even the false gayety that stimu-
lates many men to such courses. In fact,
/ from "A promising and excellent young
man he had become almost a profigate.
Still, much good remained in him-so
much that it was a pity to see him turn his
steps toward a gambling den, where, in
all probability he would not only squailder
his money away, but drink away his senses
before daylight.
He was within some hundred feet of the
door OF the saloon toward which he was
fastening, when there came a little wall
upon his cara cry almost like that of an
infant-and, looking down, Harry Bolton
saw upon the pavement, close beside him,
a little girl not more than five years old.
She was what appeared to be "A handful of
rags, and her tiny feet and curly head
Were bare. A more miserable object the
moon never looked upon, and the moan
she made touched the young mans heart.
He knelt down and caught her as she
passed by.
'Stop, little one, he said, 'What brings
you out this night ?" Where do you live
and where is your motherP'
The child struggled to escape, but when
the last question came, stood still and an
swered with Sob
''In heaven; | want to 90 there"
"You are on the right road. then, this
winter night; half naked, and starving,
too, fancy" said Harry to himself" He
began to question her again.
"Where do You live ?"
II don't know"
'Who takes care of youpn
Nobody"
at looks like it. Have you had any
supper"
81 don't want supper; want my ma
ma" and the child began to cry.
Harry Bolton endeavored to remember
some portion of his childish education.
You want to go to Heaven. do you?"
he asked, 1T appears to me remember
being told that children who cried never
went to Heaven, and am very sure that
children who do not mind never do re-
member that
The child understood, and the effect of
this doubtful moral teaching was, at least,
to silence her. Then the moon witnessed
phenomenon. Harry Bolton, the dandy,
the dashing gambler, the man of betting
books, shouldering a ragged child and
walking away with her in the most self
possessed fashion.
1--WE must have some supper" he said.
We must not be too fashionable under the
circumstances, however," and so saying
he descended into the cellar eating house,
where at the late hour the few guests were
too much intoxicated to notice the sngu-
lar pair, and only the proprietor and few
of his employees remained to be astonish-
ed
Marching down the room with perfect
sang tr0id, Harry Bolton perched the child
upon one of the chairs, and seating him.
self at table, ordered beefsteak and bran
dy and water for two, and the order being
filled, ordered his companion to go ahead,
and watched, to see the mandate obeyed,
| in vain the child stared at the viands in
astonishment, but made no attempt to eat.
Harry remained in puzzled condition
| for some time, then beckoning to grim
ming waiter, made him his confident in
this wise: .'You look like a family man,
waiter do you know any way of making
child take to its feedp"
Not such feed as that, sir, replied the
waiter. milk and water is what they
likes, and bread and butter or if meat,
chopped up into bits like. Bless ye, look
at her tiny teeth, sir !"
ITO be sure" said Harry. "Well, cut
the meat up, then bring her some bread
and butter; but milk and water-you'll
make the poor thing sick, wont you? 1t
would me.n
SIR" said the waiter.
Harry nodded.
Food being prepared to suit her appe-
tite, the child ate greedily, to Harry's sat
isfaction, and after sufficing her to her
hearts content, and stripping himself of
his overcoat. wrapped the waif in it, and
started for home.
He had a splendid set of bachelor apart
ments, and there he found a glowing fire
awaiting him. The child. when he open
ed the cost, was sound asleep; so, tucking
her into bed, in grimy state, which
would have shocked any good housewives
heart, Harry composed himself in a great
arm chair, and lighting a cigar began to
smoke.
Soon sort of doze stole over him. He
never could believe he was quite asleep,
for he saw the blue wreaths, at first dim
outline, at last perfectly distinct, appeared
the figure of q woman. She was dressed
in white, and cloud of golden hair fell
over her face, and she stretched her hand
toward him. ta
Harry Bolton felt cold shiver run
through his veins.
who are youp" he asked.