New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-12-26

SCRIBE uer accluen tdi meeting with Leda. A
| few questions satisfied her that these people
were bound by TO personal ties to the child
She then avowed the interes. she had con.
| oeived tor the little creature and proposed
to take charge of her future, but was IN.
hesit atingiy refused Too much in earnest
to be deferred by simple negative, Mrs.
Stanford portrayed the benefits which must
result 70 Leda from the change of guardian
ship, only to find the old woman still infex-
ible, whereupon, hoving some experience in
the darker workings OF human nature, she
tho GIT il probable that it was a disinclina-
ton to effect the arran cement without some
pecuniary benefit resulting to herself, which
caused the refusal oe the crone. This sus.
pcion, however, vas disprovej by her in
dignat rejection of the emolument of which
Mrs. Stanford sought, in the most consider
ate manner, to assure her, and the PROPOSE
tioD elected Information which previously
had not been presented.
The child don't belong to me, but she's
left in my keepin, al can't give Ter up"
"By whom was she brought to you!'
''By her gSanny"
why did she leave her, ani how long is
she to stay
Why she gave her up ma'am. that
can't say, lesstwise except that she said
she was a5leeged to leave her behind for
awhile. an she did say she d come for her il
six months; out them is passed away, and
six more besides without her maxim her
word good; but shell. come, and then l
wouldn't dare for my lie almost to tell her
I'd lie. anybody take the child
docs she love the little thing SO much"
We'll. no ma'aI, to speak the truth, she
didn't seem go very fond Of her; but then
she was poor thing half crazy like, with
her mutteria' and bead counting, and |
don't doubt out what size thought smart
deal OF her, for she charged nue. to let her
come TO no harm"
What was the woman5 name, and how
did she gain livelihood for herself and the
child
Well, she didn't have no regular name
like other folks; she had an unchristiaa
way OF calm herself Juanita the Witch,
and as for maxim money, she told fortunes,
and dealt out drugs which she called love
charms and i'll one way and another always
had gold piece in her pocket
Judging from her name. she was not
native of this country"
ooh no, nla'an; she belonged in turren
parts, and it was some OF them foolish
notions they has about pcayin' to the saints
that took her acrost the ocean. Leastwise
them thoughts is been in my mind from
some words she let drop"
And DO you feel confident of her re
turn
"Oh, yes, ma'an, she'll come and she'd
work evil for 1ne If | didn't have the child
after promisin' SO faithful. And to speak
honest, ma am, although she's but bit of
a body, I've go. used to the light shinin'
olt OF her eyes, and somehow it does NE
good when l hear her laugh as she plays
with the cat a-puyrin' away there under the
stove, and I'm willin' to keep her. / don't |
mind the few crumbs she eats, and I'm
dom my part by her I'm putin her in
the way of earnin' an honest livin', and
who knows if her granny never comes back |
but what Rag Baby, as we calls her, and |
my boy Tony may take fancy to each |
other when they're grown, and when I'm
dead an gone they can keep what / leave |
and live here, and p'raps in time they'll |
come to have two carts instead of one"
Mrs. Stanford inwardly shuddered at this
picture of the future which appeared so |
satisfactory to Mrs. Patch, aud turning to
the little object of their conversation, drew
her gently to her.
The child had watched the faces of the
Two speakers eagerly and from them more
,hau from their words had gathered refusal,
but she had been too long accustomed to
'esign herself to circumstances to indulge
n any violent demonstrations, and smiled
'ather, as if DESTROYS of reconciling Mrs.
stanford to her disappointment.
The lady realized, in the pang of parting
rom the child, and leaving her consigned
% fate SO sordid and unseemly, how earn.
'stly she had desired to link their destinies
ogether. With the hope that it mig still
,e ultimately accomplished, before leaving
ne house she gave the old woman her
written address, with many injunctions to
with her if aught should oc-
ur which made it necessary or desirable to
eek another home for Leda.
Consulting her watch as she passed out
nto the street, Mrs. Stanford found the
lour for church service gone by, and as she
lowly returned to her sumptuous home,
Ter thoughts reverted to the lneffable grace
nd sparkling beauty Of the baby ragpicker,
nd when crossing its threshold she expe-
fenced afresh the dreariness and desola.
ion, the weary void of household where
10 little feet dance in the mirth of innocent
lee, and the ripple of no childish voice
reaks in music on the air.
During the courses of the elegant dinner,
which was served in honor of the day, to a
and of chosen guests, an irresistible de-
ression weighed upon her spirit, and
vhen, as the evening stole away, the circle
vas increased, and the lights flashed forth
rightly, and music rose with it's inspiring
well she, whose genial manners and cheer
III tones were wont to incite and promote l.
ii social pleasures, was absent and sad to
degree which she found it impossible to
yereome.
The last good night had been spoken; the
Ioor of the last departing carriage had gone
o with crash, and the vehicle had ratified