New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-09-03
FOUND A WIFE.

Hope Ardor
FOUND A WIFE.
When the theatres were letting out--in
, DAYS when theatre hours were longer than
they are nowhere stepped forth into the
frosty winter night, amid crowd OF play
goers, 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 elegant, became him wonderfully
well. Yet, handsome, wealthy, and pleas
ure seeker, as he plainly was, there was a
look upon his face which bespoke diseon-
tent and weariness-the look, too, OF one
who has plunged into dissipation for the
sake of driving away thought. And this,
indeed, was the case. Tilted by one whom
he had given his hearts best love, Harry
Bolton, young millionaire, with naturally
fine endowments of mind and heart, had
for some time pursued life which threat
eued to rob him of health and of fortune.
He gambled, drank; he acted the profil-
gate in thousand ways, and all without
oven the false gayety that stimulates many
men to such courses. In fact, from PROM
Using and excellent young man he had be-
come 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 squander his money away.
hut 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 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
wore 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 cailght her as she passed by.
..Stop, little one" he said, What brings
you out this night! Where do you i've
And where is your mother P
The child struggled TO escape, but. when
the last question came, stood still, and an
swered with a sob:
1In heaven; want to go there"
tYou are on the right road, then, this
winter night: half naked, and starving, too,
i fancy, said Harry to HIMSELF He began
to question her again.
'sWhere do you live"
81 don't know"
"Who takes care of you"
at looks like it. Have you had any sup
per ?"
II don't want supper; want my mama, "
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. ut 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; remember
that"
The child understood, and the effect OF
this doubtful moral teaching was, at least
to silence her. Then the moon witnessed a
phenomenon. Harry Bolton, the dandy, the
dashing gambler, the man of betting books,
sheuldering a ragged child, and walking
away with her in the most sef-pOssessed
fashion.
1--WE must have some supper" he said
IfWe must not be too fashionable under the
circumstances, however," and so saying he
descended into cellar clearinghouse where
at the late hour, the few guests were toe
much intoxicated to notice the singular pair.
and only the proprietor and few Of his
employees remained to be astonished.
Marching down the room with perfect
sang fioid, Harry Bolton perched the child
upon one of the chairs, and seating himself
at table, ordered beefsteak and brandy
and water for two, and the order being
filed, ordered his companion to Ego ahead,
and watched to see the mandate obeyed IL
vain; the child stared at the viands in as
Harry remained in a puzzled condition fol
some time, then reckoning to grinnlne
waiter, made him his confident in this wise
"You look like family man, waiter. Dc
you know any way of making child take
to its feed2"
"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'u make
the poor thing sick, won't you? 1t would
me-"
"You and her is constructed different
SIR" said the waiter.
Harry nodded.
Food being prepared TO suit her appetite
the child ate greedily, to Harry's satisfac-
ton, and after sufficing her to her hearts
content and stripping himself of his over
coat, wrapped the waif in it, and started
for home.
He had a splendid set of bachelor apart
ments, and there he found glowing fire
awaiting him. The child, when he opened
the coat, was sound asleep; SO tucking he1
into bed in giimy state, which would have
shocked any good housewives heart, Harry
composed himself in great arm chair, and
lighting cigar began to some.
Soon a 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 il
white, and cloud of golden hair tell ovel
her face and she stretched her hand to
ward him.
Harry Bolton felt a cold shiver ru1
through his veins.
.sWho are you 7" he asked
'The figure didn't speak, but pointed to
ward the bed
'What do you want of meP queriet
Harry.
There fell upon his ear these words, in ;
strange, sweet voice:
'fTake my child to Heaven"
And she was gone.
Harry started from his dream to find hii
fire burning low, and his cigar crumbled into
ashes, but a strong impression almost al
great as though he had actually seen vision
All night he sat smoking and thinking, and
by dawn his plans were formed. A consulta
ton with the landlady ended by the con
slgnment OF the child to the care of an
elderly woman, warranted conscientious and
amlable. Harry Bolton found himself the
guardian of an adopted child. From that
moment change came over the Young mans
life. He had an object to think of and care
for. He said to himself: II will bring ND a
daughter for my old age" and set himself
TO work 20 become fitting parent for the
wonderful woman he proposed to make of
her. His fortune must be husbanded for
her; so he relinquished gambling. He quit
his habits of dissipation; half his time was
spent in visiting his charge, who, well
dressed and well cared for, grew every day
more lovely and engaging. He taught her
TO call him Uncle Harry, and it was strange