Beaufort Republican. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1871-1873, 1872-09-26

| ior her to ride on moonlight nights, neither
of her parents asked a question, and she
galloped away On her mission undisturbed
Reaching the fiats-a place she had often
visited upon errands of mercy-she dis
mounted and inquired in what house Mr.
Warren lived. The woman directed her
with an ominous shake of the head, and
Emily, rejecting upon the force Of preju-
dice among all classes, pursued her way on
foot, leading the pony by the birdie. -
The smallest, oldest, and dirtieSt OF all
the habltations on the flats was the one
which had been pointed out to her. Hitch
ing the pony to staple in the window
sIlI-for there was no ether place, not q
tree or shrub growing in the vicinity
Emily knocked upon the door, and awaited
with peculiar feelings the answer. ltsoon
came in the person Of Thomas, who, for a
moment, was rendered speechless by sur
prise, then, in a voice which revealed both
pain and modification, be said:
"Will you come in; you will find 1t
wrctcbed place, but we can't help it just
now."
Emily made no reply, but followed him
|
table. three chairs, an old cooking stove,
and an old-fashioned wash-stand. In one
of the chairs, curled up asleep, was little
girl of about five Summers, her long black
bair falling over thin. pale face, on which
tear-stalns were yet.visible. Thomas saw
Emily glance at the child, and he simply
said. "my sister," But there was anguish
in every accent. "My mother is in the
next room. Would you like to see her -
he added, presently. The maiden inclined
her bead, and followed him into the cham
ber, where, upon a low cot bed, lay a
woman evidently in the last stages of con-
sumptoo Her skin was nearly transpar
ent, and her eyes. large and black, gave to
her countenance brilliancy, weird, almost
irightful. As Emily entered, the invalid
glanced upon ber inquiringly, and said:
:'Curiosity is sometimes cruelty. Why
did you come ?'
"Wrth the hope of being met as a
friend,n answered Emily with gentle re-
proof, at the same time placing her hand
on the sufferers brow.
"Forgive me but there is so much
coldness in this world-so little love.
Oh! remember now, you are the young
lady who helped Tom this afternoon.
Poor Tom he is nearly woIn out. He
tries to work outside and take care OF
Alice and me too; but he can't do 1t all,
so he has to let outside work SO sometimes,
and then suppose his employers think he
is idle. 1t weakened me very much NOV
irg, and I have not beeD so we'll since.
What do people say of US, Miss 2" She
paused for an answer, but Emily evaded
the question, and then the woman went
op: /" Yes, it Is always 50. You wish to
spare my feelings your motive is good,
but can see through it. Ny husbands
mistortunes first set him on the downward
path, and then by degrees poverty came,
untiil all was lost. Now we must bear
his unfortunate reputation, but not long
mot long" She raised her eyes heaven
ward. as If imploring death.
"Dear mother, do not speak so-you
are all | have on earth," said Tom, in a
tremulous voice.
"My dear boy-my life-my blessing !"
she murmured. tenderly.
Emrly's eyes filled with tears as she
saw the mothers wan hand caress the
ietty curls that fell on ber sons brow.
Then, hoping to cheer them. she said :
"You will be better soon, Mrs. Warren.
Do not give way to sadness. Remember,
am your friend" The invalid smiled
family and shook her head. Knowing
that further conversation would be Inju-
rious to her, Emily bade her adieu, closing
the chamber door as she went out. Once
again in the first room, the maiden said
"Mr. Warren, will you do me a favor %
He acquiesced wonderingly, and Emily,
placing a $40 note in his hand, added
:" Run down to the store and buy what
YOUR mother ueeds-be sure not to forget
fruits and jellles."
"God bless your bright tacem he mur-
INJURED, in choking voice, and ,mpulsively
pressed Der hand.
al will stay here until you return" she
said, as he took his hat and hurried away
When the young man returned, he found
the kettle singing over the fire, and the
table set, while little Alice, who had beer
awak ened by the cheerful sound, sat up in
her chair gazing at Emily in amazement
you are too good, Miss; I did NOT be-
lieve there was one left IN the wol Id as
good as you are" said Tom, regarding hel
as if she was something more than human
" Don't praise me, but take out your bun
dies, and I'll have supper presently. VI
course you got some steak = Yes
though | was afraid / was doing wrong.
Emily replov him for that sentence, ard
then went on with her preparations. in
a short time repast, which to Tom and
Alice seemed banquet, was placed on the
table, and then Emily departed, saying
she would come on the morrow and wash
the dishes, Toms gaze followed her unit
she was no longer visible, and then, re-
turning to the house, be dropped on ii,
knees beside his mothers bed. and tbanGe5
God COR the friend who had been sent t.
tn m when starvation seemed inevitable.
The next day, and every day for q
week, Emily Wharton brought the sun
| light Of her presence TO tEat wretcheC
abode, and cheere2 and comforted the
invalid and h r children; not fo' getting
to enlist the services of the village physl
clan in the same cause. But he cou,d dc
| little for the sufferer she could only be
made easy during her brief stay on earth
- she could not recover. And at length
the time came when his words were to be
verified, and Tom Warren, standing al
the side of the little couch, knew that hi
mother would not live an hour. y
Emily would only come He could NO
bear this terrible blow alone, with LITTLE
Alice clinging to him in fear. And still