The Placer herald., 1872-12-21
THE VILLAGE ANGEL.

Emily Wharton WAS the pet and pride Of
Riverdae. The old men revereutIy called
n the "vi!lige angel, " the young men ad
mired her by day and dreamed of her by
night aud even her compa,ions of her own
sex felt for her pure regard, free from The
least taiut Of envy or jealousy. Had any
one asked if she was beautiful, the reply
would have been: I'm sure | don't know
but she is so good we ali love her; we cont
help it," And if YOU, reader, had seen her,
40 time could oiflce the memory Of hel glossy
brown hair, her deep tender eyes of Il dark
~ v and her fair round face with gentienpss
.rld patience shining from every feature. You
might dcuy that she was really pretty, but
YOU would have to admit that she Possessed
charms superior to those Of persona! lowell
ness.
What little romance there had been IN
Emily quietly happy life, she had made her
self v lille quietly working for another object
Her parents being the wcalthest people il
town, and her heart prompting her 10 take
the most worthy advantage OF this blessing
lie bad often Helped those in need, and ac-
conlpehed it in such II quiet way Ihat she
tNO Olt.Gu Nt VI N''f'' "+N N'''7'''
the lepip cn's to feel Il iliaikiulncss unbn-
lene' Ly any sense Of huniiliaiing obligation.
Ii was one Summer afternoon, when si-
inc with h,r mother on the piazza Of then
elegant cottage, that Emily saw IL Young
man staggering under lhe weight Of II heavy
barrow filled with vegetables lie was com
ing up the road and as he drew near she saw
hat his face was very pale and bore only too
plainly the marks OF re and sorrow. She
watched him as he advanced, her face reveal
inr the sudden sympathy which his appear
ance had inspired in her heart.
Reachng the house directly opposite, the
Young man left his harrow rest upon The walls
and opened the gate; then, moving forward
vi h bis load lie esslyed 10 enter, but the
cate swung to barring his progress. Again
he tried and with the same result. Nip.ng
he Precipitation from his brow, he looked
bout for something with which to hold lhr
gate in position, and at that moment II sghl
.irli,h figure swept by him, and Il sweet
oce sad Il will hold it while you come
H."
Surprised and not little embarrassed he
regarded Ter for II moment in slence; then
While gratitude slohe from lis dark eyes, he
replied:
:. You are very kind, miss; thank you.
And he wheeled his burden into the yard
.lancing almost re,erelly at his gentle AS
--tant
My mother thinks YOU have not been
.ong in our village said Emily, shyly.
. No, only three days. I'm stranger.
YOU see, and don't get much work, but
shall by and by, think" and faint smile
passed over his features.
Z" Papa has lots of work TO be done: he
might give you some if lie only knew your
name" continued the maiden, sagncously.
=" Thank you. My name is Thomas " il
son, and-and live on The Flats" lie spoke
hesitaingly, and blusLcd as he mentioned
The name of the poorest locality in town.
Presently he looked up but his companiol
was gone, and was now sitting on the piazz
again, as quietly Us if she bad not moved al
al.
" That name drove her of, musea Thomas
as he went on with his load. p" Well, don't
wonder 1t is a low place But she was
kind; there are mighty few girls who would
do what she did,
That evening, while Emil and her father
were con,ersing-shs trying to find on, # he
knew anything the Wilson family, and he
wondering what " the darling little witch was