Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1874-10-19
LITTLE HATTIE LEE.

'SksSA A%SS "aS "a tSSA 1<ssAs "AN fS>-
sessed romantic notions he was always
building castles in the air whose frail
structures We're eorrelative to tiny air
bubbles. and as soon blown TO atoms.
0ie Sabbath eve, when the air was still
and balmy, Walter and his wife, with
Hattie to complete the trio, were seated
under huge maple tree. enjoying na-
ture's glorious inspiration,
A gentle gale rustled through the
green grass and leaves, Hattie. over
whose head three bright summers had
passed. was playfully watching a por-
ton of torn and erumpled paper that
went sailing along the tall grass. Now
and then a pause. again in motion by a
gentle gale of wind. She leaped from
her fathers knee, and started chase
for the truant paper. Short of breath,
she grasped her prize and returned to
her father. who received her IN open
arms. Taking the sOiled paper from his
child, Walter began to read it.
He grew pale in agitation, for 10!
fortune was his by his request The
advertisement created surprise that
can be better imagined than described.
1t called for the Heirs of Walter Lee.
deceased he being Walter Lees grand
father. A large estate was waiting in
England to be claimed
A few weeks later Walter babe fare
well to his wife and little Hattie. and
embarked upon vessel for England, his
place of destination. where he intended
to assert his legal claims to the estate.
I
| Two years fed swiftly by, and no It'd
ings from Walter Lee Mother and child
occupied an old room in tenement
house The child was left in the care
of an Irish washer-woman, while the
mother went out to sew, it being her on
ly support for herself and child.
80 hungry, so hungry Oh !! | wish
mamma would come" said little Hattie,
raising her languid blue eyes to the open
door: she had wearily laid aside her
playthings, which did not consist of wax
dolls, sugar plums, ETC., but broken dish
es with blue and pink edges, rag doll,
etc. With a half-smothered sigh the
child repeated
Il am so hungry I wish mamma
would come"
Stop your bawling. ye brat, ye. and
eat your crust in pace Divn bit vii
l have this whimpering,'' said the wash
er-womaL.
Il can't sobbed Hattie.
Then go to slape, and let ye tongue
be aisy a Bit
The yellow gold curls rested upon |
broken stool. and little Hattie Lee slep
the sleep of hunger and exhaustion.
Soon the door opened, and the mothe
entered, but not alone. She clung t
the strong arm of man. for the hus
band and father had returned. Waite
few to his golden-haired child, and ex
claimed in joyful words
my darling"
A gurgling sound in the throat wa
the only response. The mother shrieked
and the father wildly exclaimed
my God, Annie. she is dying ''
; Walter had been held captive dur
ing most of the time by tribe of In
dians. Finally, his escape was made
his journey completed, his fortune secur
P ed and he returned to find his wife an
child in abject poverty.
He pressed Hattie to his bosom, an
many tears were shed. At last the fatl
er's voice was heard, the large blue eye
few open, and the faint words we're
Papa. stay with Hattie =
J The fathers tears had brought th
warm breath back to the pale lips {
little Hattie Lee.