Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1872-04-19

into Her lace Wnlle was forcing 1nySeI
camly to utter the words) before death, no
matter what they may do after"
q know it but must have money,
and there is no other means left me TO get
it. / must have it now instantly"
And she would have risen again, but /
resolutely held her down.
" For what purpose do you wish it ,"
:" To purchase food, fire, medicine"
g For yourself"
"Ah no. Had that been the case l
never would have come hither. [ would
have lain down in the gutter and died.
God knows how willingly
" But tell me-" she continued almost
tiercely, " will you give me some money ?
must have it-must have it,"
I" If not for yourself, in the name of
heaven for whom would you make such
fearful sacrifice. Is it for one who is very
near and dear to YOU"
" 1t is-is-my little sister,"
The words dropped from her tongue as
they might have from those of au angel,
and her face wore as holy light as if she
had been already star-crOwned.
"Then she is sick.''
!" She is dying dying and L am sitting
idly here!'
why did you not tell me this before?"
Because l had begged so long i'll vain.
had no money to pay the doctor, and
who would go forth on such night as this
without it ?''
My blood boiled so that l could not an
sWer. Could there be such men? Alas
reason told me in moment that her words
were but too true, and almost cursed my
race; Without delay 1 gathered up such
things as thought might be Of service,
wrapped the delicate form in heavy cloak,
and, with few whispered words of com
fort, we sailed out together in the black
night, and merciless storm and cold.
Fortunately the distance we had to
travel was but short one. A few
blocks passed, and she led me up sew
eral flights of dismal, creaking stairs, into
room.
"Florence, is that you?' l heard asked
by what my ear convinced me was a pair
Of childish, almost infantile lips.
eyes, my darling, lie still for mo-
ment.'
81 am SO glad. You have been 50 long
SO very long away, and am SO sick, and
cold, and hungry, and it was SO dark; and
L have been SO frightened at the strange
noises ~
My fair guide had been making prepara-
tiOns 20 obtain light, but when she heard
these words, she flew to the other side of
the room, and knew many warm kisses
were given and returned.
F'Excuse me, sir,' she said, as she
turned and lighted the remnant Of a
candle.
''Excuse me, but have been so lorg
away from Bessie"
| answered not. Her voice had melo-
dy in it, now attuned by love, that wished
to linger unbroken upon my ear, like the
strains Of some songs | nave heard, which
haunted me for years.
In a moment the candle shed a sckly
light around the little room. Little, in
deed, and unfurniShe1 to nOthingnesS =
One scantily covered bed was all! But
within l saw a sweet face that made
me forget all else. | approached it, and
laid my hands on the pulse Of the little
sufferer.
"Who are you? >" she asked drawing
back in alarm.
kind friend" replied her sister; and from
that moment she became perfectly passive
in my hands.
1t did not require one learned in the
science Of ntdterid ntedic0 to see what was
required. l made the proper prescription,
saw that it was tenderly administered, told
the elder sister that would be back in a few
moments, and resisting all attempts tOlight
me down stairs, grOped my way into the
street. l had noticed an eating house at
but little distance, us we came along.
and, statement of the case, backed by the
all-powerful king Of the world, gold, soon
procured the loan of disused stove, a
couple of chairs, fuel, light and proper food
and in brief half hour the little room wore
something like an air OF comfort. Another
hour the eyes Of the child were closed in
slumber, and l urged her sister to seek re-
pose, but in vain.
cat least lie down and let me cover you
with my cloak" l urged.
"No, DOCTOR" was the constant reply
II cannot, am so happy. 1t must have
been God that directed my wandering foot
steps to you."
And so we sat, with the night winC
roaring without, watching the almOs
angelic face of the peacefully slumberine
! child-sat and talked of what | was mos
anxious to hear. But the conversation O
those long, dark hours can be condensed
into a very brief space.
! She who would have sold hel body for tht
! sake Of giving little longer life to her sis
! ter, was the daughter Of at least supposed
wealth. But few years previously sh
could have held her head as high as tn
highest. Both birth and education fttet
her for it. But misfortune came,-a serie
which no human forethought could guard
combined with treachery and ingratitud
of the deepest dye, swept away all. Il
their footsteps followed the death Of til
! mother, leaving an infant but few month
old. The fond father struggled against tn
tide manfully, for a brief time, when hi
health gave way, and lie followed his Wit
through the dark valley, and beyond til
shining river, leaving the elder sister
provide for the younger.
81 For O time," continued the poor CIR
''I was able to live comfortably by the sal
of the furniture and articles of value tha
l possessed. Then-whY should L III
bosom myself to a stranger ?' she askeC
stopping suddenly, and looking me full
the face.
Because l replied, with a smile ;
her earnestness, "because you have fOun
a true heart, and one that can feel ft
YOU"
{. Yes, may heaven be thanked! ! / fe
that it is so. Well, / struggled On-n
fought were the better word, she continues
with the lines about her mouth suddenl
becoming hard. "I fought for life, som'
times teaching, sometimes sewing
short, doing anything that my strengt
permitted, until sickness came !; still dI
not despair. l was bound to the stake
: sweet One-my darling sister. VI the II
suit | received while seeking for work,
shall never speak. They I:iust remain 70
ever locked up in my own breast and Il
pallid face flushed to scarlet, even at IL
thought.
And found no employment ?'
None. Piece by piece L parted wit
, the lite furniture that was the pOssessc
I of, until what you sec was all that II
. manned"
'My poor child"
1t is tluc II saw that she was nCr'
! inc herself to tell me something that w
: painful. and would have stopped her, bl
She rcsolutcly continued 1t is true s0n