The Louisiana cotton-boll. [volume] (Vermilionville [i.e. Lafayette], Attakapas, La.) 1872-1883, 1875-08-18
nREAp CAST UPOY TIE WATERS.
BY RUTH oHEsTERFrEID.

BY HLTH CHESPEhFIEbD.
John Mallory was returning from his
iay's work, with his spade over his
ebgul5er, when he saw woman sitting
rloss 10 the wall, weeping bitterly.
John had kind heart and was easily
moved at the sight Of distress, 30 he
Hopped and addressed the woman.
dYou seem to be in trOuble" was
what be said. The mourner lifted her
iase and be saw that she was a very
yoang woman, scarcely more than n girl,
n fset, But this did not lessen his pity
atall; possibly it increased it, for his
heart vas human as well as kind
aTrouble? All, yes have come
mch long, long way, and nm 90 fa.
lique--so much wearyl I went to the
.peopIes doors, but no one said anything
only: Go way we have no room for
strangers, Go to the hotel, why do You
notT ... ..
$50 went TO the hotel, but the land
lord was worst than all the rest. Oh, how
be lrigbten me, he was 80 fierce go loudl
lie cail me b trampT-a thief-because
hst0Hnd J had no money. No money,
yea, thut was it; and he bade me 90
about my business but I have no bubi-
ness, and 50 came out into the woods
10 die alone.
"Cheer up, then, if that is all, said
John, "and come with me. My mother
won't drive you from her door, you may
be sure"
And John spoke truly, for is mothers
heart was ike his. own. She only
needed to know that the girl was
stranger and in distress to give her u
cordial welcome.
"Take or your things, ray DEAR" said
she, removing the girls shawl with her
own hands, "and BIT here by the fire.
How you shiver, poor child You are
chilled to thgboue." +"
"You afeEo hnd-so very kindr' said
the visitor, taking the rocking chair Of
lared ber; and then John saw that she
was not only young but singulsrly beau
tiful, though thin and pale as if from
eosnt illness.
"You're out Of health. You're not
III 10 be abroad" Baid Mrs. Mallory.
'Ilowyour mother would feel to see you
looking So
Alas, have no mother !" said the
grl, and her tears began TO flow afresh.
twill tell you my story"
'Ihere, there, / m sorry / said it,-I'm
such q blundererl Never mind the story
now but after supper when you are
VAIN and comfortable, you shall tell MS
about yourself, that is, all that you wish
totell"
10, when the three had eaten their
evening meal, aud Mrs. Mallory had
cleared away tho table and taken out
Knitting work, the young girl told her
story.
bh0 said that her name was Estelle
Leroy that her father was French
refugee but that she herself was born
N Canada some years after he had left
bic native country, ho having married
Canadian. After the death Of her
mother he had come TO Boston, hoping
to be able 10 support himself and her
by teaching his own language but just
o had found a situation which prom.
lsed 10 be permanent he became very
VI IN fact, the climate of this country
had mover agreed with him, md he was
always mourning for ga belle France.
40 was sick long time, and when he
ded he left her penniless.
0i her relatives in France che knew
nothing; and although since her fathers
death she had written more than once
% her mothers friends ia Canada, no
letters had ever been received in return.
Sho believed she could find them how
ever, II ahe could get there, and that
vas now her aim. What she had suf-
Tered since she left Boston she said Rhe
could never, never tell"
lts oil over now, my dear" said
Mrs. Mallory, $50 try to forget it, and
laat tgY 10 make yourself oontented
WIN us until you are bettor able to
Vayel than you are now.
For 4 whole week Estelle stayed will
NE Mallorys, gaining in health AND
beauty every day. and developing 9
careless lightness of spirit greatly In
eollrast to her FIRST depression.
That John was not insensible 10 hel
atfaotl0hs may we'll be imagined, nnd
glAt tha consequences might have beer
cannot tell, il his heart had mol
eeen already preoocupied. That being
sae case, there was no room there for The
lalF stranger, save in the way Of friend
salp, and he showed his friendship by
ha,
Curious IL was to see the two together
Mary, the staid New England girl
Hlth her rosy oheekR, her calm, bluD
s1es and yellow hair her plain dress
~ steady northern tongue I; ant
taIelie, with her olive skin, her hail
Nh eyes as dark as night, her fanciful
9'oFnatle speech, and her airy figure
saioll gave grace even 10 the worn gar
ssasass which clothed il. IN WINS. tho
slown thrush and the canary bird sit
~ side by side on an apple-tre'
sali, they got on we'll together, thes,
W. and kissed each other when the,
sed. But when Estello parted from
MALLORY she hung On her neck as i
s5 sSl been her own dear mother shI
soan saw her safely On her journey
ssn ghsn be took her hand to say fare
MN le ieit IN II a small purse, contain
sum sufficient for her expenses.
nj saau not forget you, eYer-eveE--
F-y. nv hll my dying day does come, "saiC
e,es 49,, g WITH tears ia her eyes. Thi
M saod bless you for your kindnes
noshe p0of stranger-you, and you
and Vie pretty Marie.
iew weeks the Mallorys receives
49, nom Estelle, saying that sh,
ns Aed her journeys end in sRfet'
among friends. IL was th