Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1875-05-06
FOUND A WIFE.

man Of about four aud twenty and about the
middle height, broad shouldered, dark hair, and
with black eyes, . very handsome man, aud
dressed in style which was costly and elegant
and became him wonderfully we'll.
There came . little wall upon his eAr-s crv
almost like that Of an infant-and looking
down, Harry Bolton saw upon the pavement,
eloHe beside him, little girl not more than five
years old. She wore what appeared tn be y
handful OF rags, and her tiny feet and curly
moon never looked upon, and the moan she
made touched the young mans heart. lie
knelt down and caught her az she passed by.
''Stop, little one, he said ''what brings you
ont this night Where do you lye2 And
where 10 mother 2"
The child struggled TO escape, but when the
lAst question came, stood still and answersd
with sobs-
"In heaven ; l want to 20 there"
''You are on the right road then, this winter
night half naked and starving, too, fancy,
said Harry to himself. lie began to question
her again.
Where do You live2"
II don't know"
"Who takes care OF YOU ~
Nobody"
IT looks liks it. Have you any superb.
don't want any supper. want my NAM
ma, and the child began to cry.
Harry Bolton endeAvored to remember some
portion Of his childish education.
lyon want to go to heaven, do you p he
.sksd " appears TO me ! remember being
toia tnaI chlidfen VINO cry never went 70 heay
never do remember that"
The child understood, and the effect of this
doubtful moral teaching was, at least, to silence
her. Then the moon Witnessed . phenomenon.
the man Of batting books, shouldering = ragged
child and walking away with her IN the most self
possessed fashion.
v, we must nave some supper, ne hasuly saiu.
we must hos DO TOO fasMonabie under the
circnmstances. And 20 saying he descended in-
tite low guests were 700 Mnch ihtoAlcated 70 no
tice tue singular pair, ana only the proprietor
shu lew OF Ms employees remained 10 DO as
'onssnSu ssl. . in, -.... ....
Marchihg down tho room Wltn pertect sang
Jrofa, Harry Bolton perched the child upon one
81 the chairs and seating himself ut the ia
PIE ordered Deefsteak, and brandy and water Tor
Two ana the order being niied, ordered his com
mandate obeyed in vain the child stared 1t the
viands in astonisllment but made no attempt to
cat
Harry remained IN puzzled condition ior
some time, then Deckohlng 70 grlnning waiter
made him his contidant in this wise =
"You look like family man, waiter, do you
know any way OF making child take its iced =
mol sach ieed ~ thst' sr, repned Tie wall
or.
MIX and water is what they ike, and bread
and butter, or II meat, chopped up INTO bits like
Bless ye, look At her tiny teeth, sir"
"To be sure.". SAID Harry. well, cut the
meat up, then bring her some. bread and butter;
but milk aud water-youd make the poor thing
sick, won't you 1t would me-"
"You and her is constructed different sir, v
SAID the waiter. Harry nodded
Food being prepared TO suit her appetite, the
child ate greedily, TO Harrys satisfaction, and
after sutllclng her TO his hearts content and
stripping hln,seI VI ms osercoA'' "faPPeo Iho
He had splendid set OF bachelor apartments,
and there he found glowing fire awaiting him.
The child. when he opened the coat, was sound
asleep; no tucking her into bed in q grimy state,
q, which would have shocked any good housewives
heart, Harry composed himself Ia . great arm
chair, and lighting cigar began TO smoke.
dawn his plans were formed. consuitauoI
with the landlady ended with the cohslgnMeh'
of the child to the care OF an eideriy woman
warranted conscientious and amiable Harry
Bolton iound himself inc euaruian oi MI "uoP.
cd child. From that moment change came
over the young mans life. He had an OBJECT t'
think OF and care for. He said to himself
i will bring up daughter for my Old age,
aud aet to work to become httinS parent 10
the wonderful woman he had proposed TO maxi
her. He quilted his habits oil tisslpation hal
his time was spent in visiting his charge, who
well cared for, grew every day more lovely Ant
engaging. lie taught her to call him unci
Harry, and 1t was strange TO see the young ma
,levoting himself, some old grandfathe
might, 10 all the whims and pleasure OF littl
child.
As she grew older lie placed her III boaiain
school, and there OF course saw iess O. her, se
wotld allow, until the child was some
what past twelve years old, when violent il
ness prostrated her guardian upon what cam
near being his death bed, and the doctor ordere
tim immediately on his recovery to go to Ell
rops.
40 they were separated, though regular col
respondence was maintained. Delicate healt
detained Harry from his native land five year
At the end OF that time Harry Bolton returne
from Europe, improved in health and anxious
see his siopted daughter. He knew she ha
grown older, but so little do We reflect on Il
changes that time must bring, that when inqui
aug for Miss Este!a Gray, (this was the nan
the child had lsped when lnertoned) as
wAttad IN the parlor OF tne seminary loNe
the room he could scarcely believe hls eyes.
Yet Il was she indeet-the child he had le
grown into womsnhood. Estella was seventee
and Harry Bolton thirty-iye. He WAS yoili
yet IN look and thought. There seemed AT
all, but little difference between them, 30
felt this, and their manner toward each otli
was more reserved IN consequence. But Hai
WAS charmed ~ we'll AZ surprised loyli
creature never met his eyes. Az he walk
"What Il after all, have been rearing wi
for myselfY'
Then with a half laugh lie mattered,M h.,
mo am too Old for hef-t ID al ioiiy
Folly or not the Thought remained. Ilo ps
I.stella snc!i delicate attentions az snitors {
lie anticipated her every wleh and dld ms d
% sppear in an agreeable light. Whether .
undcistood him or not, he could not tell.
might regard BIN as All ndulgent guardian, q
the thought chafed him sorcly. At times
hoped, at times he feared, nnt,l ealing one
tella ate.a.tete with young friend, Er1
CLARK. 1t was good excuse for Intimacy,
the knowledge that Estells had another M
friend 10 much nearer her own ago than INNS,
snnoyed and angered Harry. Ana whoh, u
:,,ter time, he saw ,hom together, his surpc
strengthened. They loved each other.
would we'd young Ernest, and he would ohly
,fje n,idelc aged guardian to give her away
,Lis blessing. The thought once in his m
,rooted itself there, and ut last drove INN Der
hir,eu
~ will nv asek to Europe" said he, :" l
forget hor, Love and wedlock are not for n
And on the impulse Of the moment, he ore
ed his baggage to be packed. took passage in
next steamer for Europe, and went to the 81
uary to bid Estella good-by.
she come in smiling, but his moody looks II
her grave ut once. She put her hand in his
he shook it coldly, and sat down beside her.
a moment he was silent, and thon he said, -
II am come to say good-by, Estella. l
going to Europe"
Mr., Bolton to Europe? Are You i'll aga
"No."
"Will you stay long ?"
uForeyer."
The great tears swelled in Estellss eyes.