The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1871-10-14
AN ENGLISH STORY.

MOORE looking CdEelCSSiN tON IL Oh
the upturned face, whose large
brown eyes, shadowed by tangled
curls OF tlaxcn hair, were appealing
so pitifully to his own. "What dc
| want with chestnuts:'
"But, please sir, buy 'cm" plead
ed the little one, rcassurcd by the
rough kindness of his tone. "No-
body seems to care for them, and
and
She fairly burst into tears, and
Moore, who had been on the point
of brushing carelcssly past her,
stopped instinctiveiN.
i" Are YOU very much in want OF
the money!"
"lndced, sir, we are sobbed the
child: smother sent me out, and
"Nay, little one, don't cry in sucli
a heart broken way" said Ralph,
smoothing down her hair with care
less gcntleness. ~ don't want
your chestnuts, but here's halt-a-
crown for you, if that will do 20"
any good"
lie did not stop to hear the de-
lighted. incoherent thanks the child
poured out through a rainbow OF
smiles and tears but strobe on his
way, muttering between his teeth.
'That cut off my supply of cigars
| for the next week. I don't care,
though: the brown-cycd object
really did cry as if she hadn't a
friend in the world. Hang it! |
wish | was rich enough to help
every poor creature out OF the slough
of despond.'
While Ralph Moore was indllg-
ing in these very natural reflections,
the dark eyed little damsel whom
he had comforted was dashing down
the street with quick, elastic foot
steps utterly regardless Of the bas-
ket of unsold nuts, that still dan
gled on her arm.
Down an obscure lane she darted,
between rlinous rows OF houses,
and up narrow wooded staircase
to a room where pale, neat-lookine
woman, with large brown eyes like
her own, was sewing as buSily as if
the breath of her life depended
upon. every stitch, and two little
ones were contentedly playing in
the sunshine that temporarily sup
piled the place of fire.
"Mary! back already? Surely
you have not sold your chestnuts SO
soon?'
"Oh! mother, seew calculated
the almost breathless child. " a
gentleman gave me q whole halt
crown. Only think, mother, a
whole half crown
If Ralph Moore could only have
seen the rapture which his halt:
crown gift diffused around it in the
poor widows poverty stricken home.
he would have regarded still less
the temporary privation of cigars to
which his generosity had subjected
him.
Years came and went. The little
chestnut girl passed as entirely out
of Ralph Moore's memory as il
pleading eyes had never touched
the soft part in his heart; but Mary
Lee never forgot the stranger who
had given her the silver half crown
The crimson window curtains
were closely drawn, to shut the
storm and tempest of the bleak De
cember night; the fire was glowing
cheerily in the we'll filled CRATE, anc
the dinner table, in a glitter witt
cut glass, rare china and polished
silver, was only waiting for thu
presence of Mr.. Audley.
"What can it be that detains
papa?n said Mrs. Audlcy, a fair
handsome matron of about thirty
as she glanced at the dial of a tin,
enameled watch. Six o'clock, ant
he does not make his appearance
"There's man with him in TIN
study, mamma, come on business,
said Robert Audley, a pretty boy
eleven years old, who was reading
by the fire.
"I'll call him again. said Mrs
Audley, stepping to the door.
But as she opened it the brillian
gaslight in the hall fell full on th
face Of an humble-looking man, il
worn, and thread-bare garments
who was leaving the house, Will
, her husband stood in the doofwa,
: of his study, apparently relieved t.
be rid of his visitor.
"Charles," said Mrs. Audley
: whose cheek had paled and flushed
:, "who is that man and what doe
: he want 81
: ellis name is Moore, I believe
and he came to see if I would be
., stow upon him that vacant clerl
ship in the BANK
"And will you?"
~ don't know, Mary | mus
!, think about it."
, "Charles, give him the situation
"Why, my love"
: "Because [ ask it of you as
q favor, and you have said thousan
$ times you would never deny me an,
4 thing"
4 And I will keep my wore
Mary said the noble hearted hu
h band, with an affeetionate kis
a "Tll write the fellow a note tn
1 very evening. I believe I've g
4 his address about me somewhere
!, An hour latar when Rnhhi