The Placer herald., 1874-08-01

hand, and had undoubtedly seen better
times. The little dog still reposed in her
arms, and resisted all my efforts to dislodge
him and he seemed oblivious TO everything
hut her caresses, and by the light | saw he
was as poor and miserable as herself Her
face. though piucl,ed and worn by hunger
and exposure, had singularly fine, ntelli-
rent look about it, and the high, white fore
head indicated un intellect of no common
order.
Coupled with the warm fire and cozy
room, she soon dried her tears, and | grad
ually drew her into conversation. And
there on that dreary, lonesome, tenpestuous
night, with the relentless rain beating against
the window, and the wind bowling it's dis
NAL chant through the building, | heard her
sad story of poverty and want-and the
saddest it was ever listened to- Her lisp
ing, sweet voice, and innocent, pretty face,
and soft, brown eyes seemed strangely in
consistent with the haf-starved, tattered
condition. WAS nnconscieusly bewitched
by her artless manner, and her tender COM
passion for her dog; so that in few mo-
ments after her story was ended, | felt that
III
bachelor of twenty eight.
Her experience was the same old tale of "A
father ruined by drink, a mother dying of a
broken heart, and little girl left to buffet
The world alone. Many times | was com
PEELED to turn my head and brush away "a
iruant tear; and when she raised her tattered
dress to wipe the tim bony, little cheeks
wet with ier own tears, could hardly
hardhearted, worldly man that | was-re.
press my own that were struggling to rise
1t was far into the morning when | had
listened to the end, and the storm had some
what abated. though still raging furiously.
Somehow the story reminded me of the
time when had been waf on the wide
world myself, and touched vein in ms
composition had never dream ID was there
though no one will contend that boy s
lot without home and friends is easier by far
than the same condition for girl.
1t did not tax, me long to resolve that |
would shield this little human from further
hardship, who had come into my care so
strangely; so clothed her warmly in an old
coat, together with Pepper, and took her in
my arms, and once more started for my
lodgings. AS was accustomed to come il.
the house at all times. our entrance excited
TO ones curiosity Fixing her an impromptu
bed on the sofa, | retired to my own room
and slept.
Mrs. Grodfrey, my landlady was fat
round, rosy, good -natured, charitable soul +,
that would do your eyes good to look upon
She was about four feet six, and nearly as
big around as she was long Even her
laugh was indicative of her frank, good
natured, for she never Iau ,hed out when she
was pleised, and, as consequence of such
temperament, she was always tickled
about something. You could see mother
written on every feature ard in every ges-
ture, and | am sure she was the best friend
ever had. The next morning told her
The story Of little Bessie, and asked her To
see TO my protege, when she overflowed with
the profusion of her offers confessed
that was ignorant Of the wants of u female
child, but she promised to see that the
"little dear" had everything in the world.
"Law-sakes, Mr.. Earnest, to think that
such wee leetle thing should be SO dest
'"'o, u" eo Piehy, 'oo.
So left her in good hands, and when !
came irome that evening. she was indeed
changed Her hair had been combed; she
was clothed in clean, nice dress, and
looked 80 pretty, ! could not help but
stare in wonder What had denominat,d
an interesting look before was now
changed to positive beauty-but maybe il
was because saw her SO, for confess re-
garded her with more than common interest
And even Pepper looked happy, for hi
lank sides were dsended as the effect of II
good "square meal" "--something he had
probably not had before since his birth
md he capered around me rs | entered the
room with the ostensibe purpose of show
ing his gratitude, for he had resol ltely re-
fused to become acquainted the nighI
before.
"Well, little Bessie, how do you feel to-
day, better hole?' said as | drew
chair beside her and seated myself.
80. yes! lam so happy, and go thank
ful to you, sir. How can | ever express
my gratiude?" And Pepper is so happy,
TOO; see, lie knows you are the one who be-
iriended him and his poor Bessiev'
pepper! What a queer name. Did
you name hn?"
eyes, SIR"
And your name; haven't you got sur
name?"
81 don't believe have. never heard
it if have. Every one calls me Bessie, and
mamma's name was Alice; though l never
called her anything but mamma.
l don't know why it was, but somehow
! Jose poinless conversations had "A strange
/terest for me; not because there was an,
real intellectual enjoyment in them, bu. !
loved to hear her talk. | noticed-for
looked at her after perl~ps more than was
her cheek had an unhealthy
hectic flush, and she did mol seem to recu
perate as much as l imagined she would,
70 was not surprised to hear. on coming
home one evening, that little Bessie had
been taken violently i'll. and the physician
actually thought there was danger. was
moved when I heard this and