, 1871-01-05
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Moore, looking carelessly down on the
upturned face, whose large eyes, shadow
ed By tangled curls Of aaxen hair. were
appealing so pitifully to bis own what
do / want Of ehestnuts =
"But please, sir, do buy EN- pleaded
the little one, re-assured BY the rough
kindness Of his tone. "NPPody seems to
care for them, and-and-'
She fairly burst into tears, and Moore,
wko had been on the point Of brushing
carelessly past her.. stopped iuslinctively.
"Are you in very much want of the
money!
"I1ared. Sir, we ar, = sobbed the child;
''motheF sent me out, and''--aEa % tiiai
'sNav, little one. don't cry in such q
heart-broken way" said Ralph, smoothing
ker hair down with careless gentleness.
81 don't want your chestnuts, but here's
a quarter. II that will do you any good"
He did not stay to hear the delighted
ineoherent thanks the child poured out
through rainbow of smiles and tears.
but strobe on his way, muttsring between
his teeth: 81 g.,,f3 .hnta'seg Il j.
''That cuts off my supply Of cigars for
the next twenty-four hours, don't care
though, fon the brown-eyed object really
did cry as L she hadn't a friend in the
void. Hang I'll I wish l was riea
enough tohelp every poor creature out Of
tie slough Of despond.
While Ralph Moore was indnlging in
these very natural reflections, the dark
orbed little damsel whom he had comforted
vas dashing down the street with quickg
elastic footsteps. utterly regardless ofthe
basket of unsold nuts that still dLngled
upon her arm. Down an obsenre lane
she darted, between tall, ruinous rows Of
houses, and up q narrow wooden staircase
to room where q pale, featlooking
woman, with large brown eyes, like her
own, was sewing as busily as if the breath
Of life depended upon every stitch, and
two little ones were cOntentedly playing in
the sun shine that temporarily supplied the
the place Of the absent FIRE.
"Mary! back already. Surely you
have not sold your chesinuts so soonT
''Oh, mother, mother, seer' calculated
the breathless child. "a gentleman gave
me vhals qaartsFlo Only thInk, mother,
whole quarter!"
If Ralph Moore could only have, seen
the rapture which this tiny silver gift
diffused around it, in the poor widows
poverty stricken home, he would fhase
grudgsd still less the temporary privation
Of cigars 10 which his generosity had sub
jected him.
Years came and went. The little chest
nut girl passed as entirely out Of Ralph
Moor's memery as if her. pleading eyes
had nsfer Touched then seIt tpotikm bis
heart, but Mary Lee never forgot the
stranger who gave her, thersilver piece.
The crimson window curtains we're
closely drawn to shut out the storm and
tempest of the bleak December night-lhe
fire was glowing cheerily in a well-flled
CRATE and the dinner table all In q glitter
with cut glass, rare china, and polished
silver, was only, waiting for the presence
of Mr.. Audley. w.
"What can it be that detains papa ,"
said Mrs. Audley, fair, handsome matron
Of about thirty, as she glanced at the dial
of tiny enameled watch. Six o'clock.
and he does not make his appearahcs."
'''1'here's man with him in the study,
mama-come on business, said Robert
Andley, pretty boy, eleven years old,
who was reading by the fire.
"Tll cali him again, said Mrs. Audley
stepping to the door.
But, as she opened il, the brilliant gas
light fell full on the face Of AM humble
looking man in worn and threadbare gar.
ments, who was leaving the house, while
her husband stood in the doorway of his
study, apparently relieved to be nd of
MS VISITOR. .asgeAL L0dJ AZ sTThF
''CharIey," said MIS-. Audlsy, whose
cheek had paled and flushed, "who is
that man--apd what does he Want@
His name is Moore believe, love,
and he came to zee II I would bestow upon
him that vacant messengership in the
%1ud VII iIipyOSls5E yOul ,..Is !. ~ 20 70. 49z1u2
IL don't know MaFy-I must think
about it,"
:' CHARLEY, give BIN the situation" ,-,.
"Bseaass I,ask2 Il Of you az q favor
and you have said q thousand times you
wOnld nevr deny me anything" 'a'sH
"Ana I will keep my word, Mary" said
the loving husband, With an afeeaionSte
kiss, "I'n write the fellow a note this very
evening. believe I've got his address,
somewhere about me."'
An-hcur q two later, when BOBBY, and
Frank aud little Minnie were tucked snug