The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1873-03-29
VOL. XLIII.s
NOT FORGOTTEN.
u CLIO STANLEY.

the midst Of the great city whose
riotous turnult made itself heard
even at that hour of night
The room was scrupulously neat,
thongh there were in it none of the
comforts rich folks have-none Of
those dainty Injuries which you and
I think necessary to our well being.
At one side Of the room there
was q small stove; and before 1t,
down on her knees, was Lucy RAN
dal; . pale, slender girl, with q
wealth Of Tut brown hair fAlling
over her shoulders; q pure, high
forehead, on which there was no
shadow OF sin; little trembling
mouth, formed for kind words, and
deep, dark eyes whose splendor
lighted up the dull. dreamy room,
like the shining of happy stars
Behind her was pine table, hold
ing two candles in bright stands,
and beside them plate, and cup
and saucer.
ssFor it is Christmas Eve, and I
will be extravagant for once!" She
had said, as she broiled her bit of
steak, and toasted three marvellous
" thin slices of bread
just as she lifted the steak from
the bed of cherry red Goals, the
plain gold ring which she always
wore on her forefnger, slipped from
her finger and rolled away over the
-four.
Her supper was forgotten ~ she,
sprang to recover her treasure.
But it had rolled to the very cor
ner of the room, found q tiny crack
between the weather worn boards
of the frame building, and fallen
down, down through the darkness
| to the snow covered pavement
With cry OF dismay, Lucy ran
swiftly down the uneven stairway,
| and out into the falling snow. But
little she needed the light fakes
| that fell over her-her heart was too
full of regret. Five. years ago
Henry Norton had left her in her
fathers house, to 60 away and make
q fortune He had left q kiss on
her lips and the ring, and said in q
low whisper, full Of love and long
ing, .wear it until I come again,
dear Lucy. I win replace it some
tiusyadaraingysvith avoiding ring
| She had waited and trusted him
| a1l those years At first, in the
bls6sant comfort Of her home; later
when both father and mother were
dead, in the poverty and hardships
of . working girls ifa
| She had been cold and hungry
many times, but never tempted tx
part with the little ring.
i Her search was q long and weary
one, but the ring could not be
found, and she crept up the long
stairway, shivering and sick q
heart.
That night the supper, SO dainti
ly prepared. was lett untasted OF
the table, and Lucy cried herself t.
sleep.
Itwas Christmas morning -brigh
and beautiful the very happiest o
happy holidays.
Out in the street, the busy GROVE
surged back and forth, carrying OF
its skirts the sad little waits iron
garrett and cellar and street,
One little fellow stood quietly O
the curb stone watching the. face
of The passersb by.
Mot that one-he's too grand
and that ones got . cruel face. Al
here comes . gentleman I'll a.
him."
And slipping in and out Of th
careless throng, he pulled the gen
tleman's coat.
He turned around showing q
anxious but = pleasant fAce.
.Well, what i IS my lads"
aPlease, %, viii you buy the ring
] found it IN ths gutter last night,
The gentleman to K it carelessl
in his hand. Perhaps / can FIN
the owner" he said why her
ere letters IN the inside :
What made the bearded face gro
90 suddenly pale! Was it only th
tide Of an old emotion or was it th
birth Of . new hopes
The little boy was startled by Il
quick grasp of his hand.
"Where did you find it and
VIII give you dollar"
Almost as swift as the wind wei
t the willing feet, until they stoo
I together in front of the dingy tel
ement house, where Lucy had stoo
in the storm the night before.
There's the spot, sir!'
"Thank you! And here's 20,
dollar! Do you know the peop
about here!"
, "Nobody but the baker over Il
! way. That's where ! buy my buns
: They crossed the street togeth
t and went into the little low sho
Inere was q young woman 81 Ol
!, counter buying bread.
Q *Only four cent Loaf, this NOR
ing," she said, sadly. II have !
money for more.
8 Surely the voice was hers al
t the hair-ah, she had turn
. around and the sweet sweet u
forgotten face.
Lacy
Q "Hepry!s
T But everything else was said n
9 der the shadow of the little at1
/ roof.
Until three hours latr, whenth
: stood hand IN hand. 4 the ere
= man'a r,ar1sr