Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1875-11-02

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it's your birthday, sis; you're ten years old TO-
day. Besides you need something to put q
shade of color into these cheeks; the doctor
said you must have sonething to tempt your
appetite"
Helbent down to kiss the marble forehead
as he spoke. s.ss6-itsEt q,
tfHoW lovely that rose is, to be sure It's
almost as good as company to you, Katy; isn't
itT Are you willing should leave you alone
for little while, dear 2" 20 5in6>a7
"Yes, Jamie, don't mind it much, p she
answered, with deep. weary sigh, "but be
back As soon as possible, please"
And her wistful, hollow eyes watched him
from the room with that earnest, startling look
that We only find beneath the very shadow Of
Death. 10 5as lo.z l.l5.i.--t,
Down at the piers all was confusion and mp.
roar-busy passengers hurrying from newly
arrived boats-turbid waters dashing and
rolling against mossy posts-swaying crowds,
aud loud, dissonant voices, created small
bedlam around the docks, and little jamie
wandered around with his board of fruit feel
ing very lonely and bewildered. He had
piled up the golden oranges with their sun
niest side upward he had polished the red
checked apples until they shone like mirrors,
yet nobody stopped to buy. q,
Carriage. sir 2" "Take you to the Astor
House 2" Cup Broadway in twinkling,
ma'am ]" "Eere's your Erald, Tribune. and
Times. Latest steamer from Europe! Have
paper, sir 7"
Poor Jamie amid all this tumult, what
chance has he of being noticed He had
picked out the very Same bunch of grapes
that he intended for Katy, in Taylor's win
dow. as he came by-a plump, apoplectic
bunch dangling from crimson thread, where
the sunshine lay full on the purple bloom, and
amethystic shadows lurked among its fulness
of fruitage. just at present the tempting
morsol seemed very far off to Jamie's imagi,
nation. b"
Determined not to give way without vig-
orous effort, however, Jamie stepped boldly
forward to the first person he saw, and held
up his wares with modest, "Buy an orange,
sir ?''
"Now, as ill-fortune would have It, this
possible customer was fat, illtempered pussy
old man, whose color had just been inaamed
to fever heat by the inadvertent descent of a
heavy nailed boot heel on his favorite corn
At all times he considered orange boys a
nuisance, but Just now his slender quota Of
patience was entirely exhausted. He aimed
nuttered oath and a furious blow at the
fair>haircd boy, and rushed past to catch re-
treating omnibus.
Jamie sprapg aside just in timo to escape
the brutal blow, but it descended full upon
his stock In trade; scattering apples and or
anges far aud wide! He was standing close
to the pier, aud most of the fruit few into the
water, where it went bobbiug up and down
with the tide, in most tantalizipg manner.
A few apples rolled under the feet of the
crowd hnk STnnoeuihla 60 L.,
again.
Jamie's first sensation was that of indig-
nant wrath !; the blood rushed in angry tor,
rents to his cheek and brow, and he shook his
small fist impoteutly in the direction which
the fat man had taken. But in an instant a
feeling of forlorn wretchedness came over him
no tempting bit of cake-no purple grapes
for poor Katy-perhaps not even supper,
for he knew that his mothers wages must go
towards the rent Of tho room. They de.
pended entirely on his exertion for their
evening meal, and the sun was declining in
the west already.
The reflection was too much for his boyish
heart, aud he was sobbing violently, when a
gentle hand was laid on his shoulder He
started up, and before him stood pleasant
gentleman, who had watched the whole trans
action.
"Thero, my boy" he said, laying silver
dollar in the boys hand palm, ''that will sci
you up again: No thanks; the money was
intended for some piece of extravagance, and
l choose to use it thus. But remember this
my boy; when you are pushed down in the
race don't stop to rub your bruises, but pick
yourself up and start again I"
jamie thought that the smile with which
this was said the pleasantest and kindest ex-
preston that ever brightsned human face ;
but ere he could stammer out his thanks the
gentleman was gone.
The boy started for home with light and
joyous heart, stopping TO purchase the cher
ished morsels Of fruit and cake ON his way.
The gentleman walked leisurely up Broadway.
Seeing in bookstore the title of newly>
published work that he had much desired to
read, his footsteps iuvoluntarily turned in that
direction, but in an instant he went on but
toniDg up his pockets, and murmuring to him.
self, with smile, "Can't afford it one lux
ury in day ought to be enough!" There
was vast difference between the man and
child in their capacities for enjoyment, but
both were happy that night.
The supper was joyful ceremony in the
garrett room that evening. The grapes
pleased Kate's delicate appetite to charm,
and the story Of tho dollar was listened to
with interest.
81 wish I could see the kind gentleman, J"
said the child, earnestly; al would give him
my beautiful rose, if he liked flowers"
She looked strangely beautiful that night, her
head resting on her brothers shoulder, while
Jamie fed her with the juicy berries,
one BY one, as bird might feed its young.
"Why, how bright the color in your cheek
is" cried Jamie 81 believe you have been
stealing the red shadows from your fayorite
rose. Mother, am sure Katy will get we'll. !"
The next morning. while yet the golden
spear of sunrise was in rest among the purpIe
hills, Katy died.
4 x