Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1875-07-15
BREAD CAST UPON THE WATERS.
BY RUTH CHESTERFIELD.

John Mallory was returning from his
DAYS work, with his spade over his
shoulder. when he saw woman sitting
close to the wall, weeping bitterly.
John had kind heart and was easily
moyed at the sight of distress, so he
stopped and addressed the woman.
You seem to be ia trouble''-that was
what he said. The mourner lifted her
face. and he saw that she was very
voung woman, scarcely more than a girl,
in fact, But this did not lessen his pity
AZ ALI: possibly il increased it, for his
heart was human as we'll as kind.
"Troubles All, yes have come such
a long. long way, and am so fatigue-so
much weary went to the peoples doors,
but no one said anything only: Go way!
we haue no room for strangers. Goto the
hotel, why do you not:'
$50 went to the hotel, but the land
lord was worst than all the rest. Oh, how
he frighten me, he was so fierce, so loud!
He call me tramp-a thief-because he
found had no money. No money, yes,
that was it.; and he babe me go about my
business but have no business, and so
came out into the woods to die alone"
Cheer up, then, if that is ALL said
John, land come with me. My mother
won't drive You from her door, you may
be sure"
And John spoke truly, for his mothers
heart was like his own. She only needed
to know that the girl was stranger and
in distress to give her cordial welcome.
Take off your things, my dear" said
she, removing the girls shawl with her
own hands, land sit here by the fire.
How you shiver, poor child! You are
chilled to the bone"
You are so kind--so very kind"' said
the visitor, taking the rocking chair Of
fercd her; and then John saw that she
was not only young but singularly beauti-
full. though thin and pale as if from recent
illness.
"You're out of health. You're not fit
TO be abroad" said Mrs. Mallory. How
your mother would feel to see you looking
sou
Alas, have no motherl' said the girl,
and her tears began to flow afresh. %
win tell you my story"
There, there, I'm sorry / said tim
such blunderer! Never mind the story
now, but after supper, when you are warm
and comfortable, you shall tell us about
yourself that is, all that you wish to tell"
So, when the three had eaten their even
ing meal, and Mrs. Mallory had cleared
away the table and taken out her knitting
work, the young girl told her story.
She said that her name was Estelle Le-
Roy; that her father was a French retu-
gee; but that she herself was born in Can
ada some years after he had left his native
country, he having married Canadian.
After the death of her mother he had come
to Boston, hoping to be able to support
himself and her by teaching his own Ian
guage; but Just as he had found a situa-
ton which promised to be permanent he
became very i'll; in fact, the climate of
this country had never agreed with him,
and he was always mourning for :" Ia belle
France" He was sick long time, and
when he died he left her penniless.
Of her relatives in France she knew
nothing; and although since her fathers
death she had written more than once to
her mothers friends in Canada, no letters
had ever been received in return. She
believed she could find them, however, if
she could get there, and that was now
her aim. What she had suffered since she
left Boston she said she could never,
never tell.'
"Its all over now, my dear" said Mrs.
Mallory, so try to forget it, and just
try to make yourself contented with us till
now"
For whole week Estelle stayed with
the Mallorys, gaining in health and beauty
every day, and developing careless light
ness OF spirit greatly in contrast 10 her first
depression.
That John was not insensible 10 her at
fractions may well be imagined, and what
the consequences might have been | can
not tell, if his heart had not been already
preoccupied That being the case there
was no room there for the fair stranger,
save in the way of friendship, and he
showed his friendship by bringing Mary,
his betrothed, to see her
curious II was to see the two together
Mary, the staid New England girl, with
her rosy cheeks, her calm, blue eyes and
yellow hair; her plain dress, and steady
Northern tongue; and Estelle, with her
owe SKIN, her hair and eyes as dark as
night, her fancif,il, idiomatic speech, and
her airy figure, which gave grace even to
the worn garments which clothed il. II
was the brown thrush and the canary bird
sitting side by side on an apple-tree
bough.
still, they got on well together, these
TWO, and kissed each other when they
parted. But when Estelle parted from Mrs
Mallory she hung on her neck as il il
had been her own dear mother she was
leaving.
John saw her safely on her journey, and
when he took her hand to say farewell he
left in ii a small purse containing a sum
suffleient for her expenses.
shall not forget you, ever-ever-no
not I'LL my dying day does come" said
Estelle, with tears In her eyes. TIE
good God bless you for your kindness to