South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1874-08-28
The Little Rosette Maker.
by ANNA MORRIS.


also said your father needed nourishing food
now, to bring back his strength, aud have
no money left to buy it,
'But you earn money by sewing, mother;
and L viii help you more. Now that my
head aches too badly to 90 to school, l car
sew, guess
you poor little child. No, you must
not sew. Il would be worse for you than
studying. l must try to find some other
employment. l cannot earn enough by
this sewing for the chops to pay the rent of
our miserable room, aud get euch food as
we now have. [ have just finished this
work, aud will carry it homo, and then
make some inquiries for something more
profitable. You run up once in while,
dear, and see if your father wants any
thing
yes, mother answered the child, and
she sat watching until her mothers figure
disappeared in the crowded street, and then
resumed hor employment of sorting out
some bits of ribbon, which had been given
her by neighboring milliner, in return for
doing some errands.
KATIE's father, Mr.. REED, was an in
dustrious carpenter, who had always had
comfortable bono for his family until few
months before, when he received severe
injury by falling from building On which
be was at work. Still, the physician spoke
hopefully Of his soon being out again, aud
all seemed going we'll when the news that
the man in whose hands he had deposited
all his little savings had abscouded, and
left him helpless aud penniless, caused
most dangerous relapse. Mrs. REED sold
article after article of furniture and wearing
apparel, and struggled op, till ut last, ev-
eryihing being goue, they were obliged to
take refuge in ouo room of wretched ten
ement house. There they had been for
some weeks, when our story opens.
KATE, always rather delicate child, had
grown thin aud pale, aud complained 80
muchof headache that the doctor advised her
being taken from school. Timo now hung
rather heavily on Der hands. She ahrank
from much Intercourse with he rough, vul-
gar children in the house, and passed most
of the day in their own roam but occa,
sionslly,as when we just saw her, sho would
take advantage of theic absence at school,
aud steal down to the doorstep for a short
time.
4 wish could help mother she thou ght
sorrowfully. Il wonder if there is nothing
that little girl can do
just then the milkman drove into the
yard. He was az honest, pleasan:-l looking
mao, who always spoke kindly to the pale,
geulle girl, so different from the noisy
crowd that DANGEROUSLY demanded ride
Flo drove. fine gray horse, with which
KAJE had formed great friendship, and
she always s;roscd and po:ted him, or gave
him a handful of grass, if sac could fad any
in the dusty street.
SO when the milkman had pqssod into
the house with bis cas-, she commenced
patting her dumb friend, and talking to
him as usual, when bright idea struck
her, aud deftig Enotting some Of her rib
bOns together, sho fastened them near tho
horses ears.
Now,old Billy,y you look very hanlsomer
she exclaimed, stepping back to see the et-
feet Of her work. Jast then the milk az
came out.
'Ab, Miss KATE 10 said, 'havo you
been trimming up my horse 2
'Yos SIR answered the child, rather tim
idly, do YOU mind 2
Mind D no; am much Obliged to
you, and so L dare say is Billy See how
proudly be holds up his head lie will
have to come some afternoon, and take you
out to ride, ia return for your kindness.
And With friendly good-moruiog hc drove
rapidly away.
q must run up and see if father warts
euything,' thought KATg, turning towards
the house. A toilsomo Journey up many
long, dark flight Of stairs, brought hUr to
the poor room they called home, but Mr..
REED was asleep, and KATE, softly closing
the door, returned to the yard.
She h1d sat perhaps half an hour longer,
when an ice-car' came numbering b. Some.
what TO kATEs surprise, i. stopped, for iu
that wretcLed house no one could indulge
IN such a luxury as ice.
The driver, bright, good .humorcd-look
ing lad, jumped out, and coming up to
KATE, asked, with a mixture OF frankucss
and basbfulness, WAS j, you, miss, who
made some roset,es for Mr. GRAY's horse 2
The milk man z answered KATrC, WON
deriugy, % yes, | put some ribbons on
bin just now
Il met him down the street, and asked
him how he came TO DO so gay for YOU
see, ho continued, cit jus. happened to take
my fancy, as I've got now set Of harness |
cs for ny horses, and want them to look AZ
nice as anybody. ] think a heap If nv
horses, and so says 10 Mr.. GRAY, do you
suppose she would mako me some And /.
be said I'd better come up here and ask
you
I'D be very much obliged to you, if you
would, miss ne added, and will pay what.
ever you like
Il should be very glad to make tbem,' /
soid tho child Gbnt hlnsbi,, deo,t. n \