Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1875-07-01
FORTUNES CAPRlCEs.

FORTUNES CApRlCES.
John Mallory was returning from his days
work, with his spade over his shoulder, when
he saw woman sitting close to the wall, weep
ing bitterly.
John had kind heart, and was easily moved
at the sight Of distress, 30 he stopped and Ad-
dressed the woman,
"You seem to be in trouble"--that was what
no said The mourner lifted her face, and he
saw that she WAS very young woman, scarce
ly more than = girl, in fact. But this did not
lessen his pity At oil possibly it increased 1t,
for hi. heart was human ~ we'll ~ kind.
'.Troublo2 Ah, yes; l have come such .
long way, an am so fatigued.-.so much weary!
went to the peoples doors but no one said
for strangers. Go to the hotel, why do you
not 7"
$50 went to the hotel, but the Landlord was
worse than all the rest. o how he frighten-
cd mo, he WAS 80 fierce, 30 loud He called
me . tramp-a thief because he found had no
money. No money. yes, that was it and he
bade mo 60 about my business but have no
business, and 80 came out into the woods to
die alone"
'.Oheer up, then, II that is ALL" said John,
"and come with me- My mother won't drive
you from her door, you may DO sure"
And john spoke truly for his mothers
heart was like his own. She only needed to
Know th.. & the g wss stronger and in dis
Take of your things, my dear, " said she re-
moving the girls shawl with her own hands,
"and sit here by the fire. How You shiver,
poor child You're chilled to the bone"
"You are go kind-so very kind ~ said the
visitor, taking the rocking chair offered her
and then John saw that she was not only young,
but sngularly beautiful, though thin and pale,
NJ il from recent illness.
'.You're out OF health. You're not 6t to be
abroad, f" said Mrs. Mallory. "How your moth
or would feel to see you looking 10 "
4" Alas have no mother u said tho girl, and
her tears began to flow afresf. ~ will toll you
"There there, I'm sorry said tim such .
blunderer! Never mind the story now, but A.
ter supper, whom you are warm and comforta.
ble you shall tell us about YOURSELF that is, all
that you wish to toll"
meal and Mrs. Mallory had cleared away the ta'
bic and taken out hor knitting work, tho young
glrI told her story.
She said that her name was Estelle LeRoy I;
that her father was French refugee but that
she herself was born in Canada, some ,years af-
ter he had left his native country, he having
married q Canadian. After the death OF her
mother, he had come 10 Boston, hoping to be
able to support himself ard her by teach.
ing his own language; but Just - he had
nent, he became very ill in fact, tho climate OF
this country had never agreed with him, and lie
was always mourning for "la belle France He
was sick long time and when he died he left
her penniless.
OF lie. relatives in France she new 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
ct l-I. ..A
that was now her aim. What she had suffered
since she left Boston, she said she could "never,
never tell"
"It's all over now, my DEAR" said Mrs. NAL
lory, $50 try to forget it, and Just try TO make
yourself contented with us till you are better
able to travel than you are now"
For whole week Estelle stayed with the Nal
lorys, gaining in health and beauty every day,
and developing q careless lightness Of spirit,
greatly In contrast to her first depression.
That John was not insensible to her attrac-
tions, may well DO imagined, and what the con-
sequences might have been, cannot tell, II his
heart had not been already preoccupied. That
being tho 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 it was to see the two together-Mary
the staid New England girl, with her rosy
plain dress, and steady Northern tongue and
Estelle, with her olive skin, her hair and eyes AZ
dark az night, her fanciful idiomatc speech, and
her airy figure, which gave grace even to the
worn garments which clothed it. 1t was the
brown thrush and the canary bird sitting side by
side on Al apple tree bough.
Still, they got Oh well together-these two
and kissed each other when they parted. But
when Estelle parted from Mrs. Mallory, sh
hung on her neck ~ il it had been her own deai
mother she was leaving.
John saw her safely on hor journey, and when
he took her hand to say farewell, he left in it 9
sum sufficient for her expenses.
II shall not forget you, ever-eyer.no, no no,
till my dying day comes" said Estelle, witt
tears in her eyes. "The good God bless yol
for your kindness to tho poor strsnger-.you ant
the dear mother and the pretty Marie"
In few weeks tile Mallorys received lette
from Estelle, saying that she had reached he
journeys end in safety, and was among friends
1t was the only letter they ever received iron
her.
ried and settled down on the Mallory farm, an
there for the present. We will leave them.
One day handsome travelling carriage dre'
mp before the door Of y hotel In q qniet Ne'
England village. 1t WAS an event in tho histor
ment been seen there before. Out came tn
two hostlers, out came tho stable-boys, ont cam
the barkeeper, and lastly, ont came the laddlor
himself.
A gentleman alighted from the carriage, an
was followed by . beautiful and richly -dresse
lady. Dobbing his bare head, and waving asid
his subordinates the obsequious landlord led u
way 70 the parlor, took the orders Of his dl
tinguished guests, and communicated them
his servants. Then there was an opening Al
shutting Of doory, . ringing Of bells, a rushii
to and fro-in short, tumult ~ II the quee
had come.
When the travellers were loft to themselve
the lady broke into merry laugh.
20, It is to droll, Sir Edward it 10 the sau
landlord who, fifteen years ago, bade me bego,
for thief and tramp,
90 The villain l should like to lay my cal
over his back, )" said Sir Edward.
"It isn't worth while-such an insignifca
back" said the lady +" only don't take on sii
thinking all this attention is for us. 1t is on
for our carriage and horses, and our clothes
By and bye. the landlord having made son
further errsnd to the parlor, the lady. who W
sitting by the window, remarked
WYou have pleasant little village here"
"As pleasant and thriving village a. any
the county" answered the delighted landlord.
"Do you know il there is family by t
name Of Mallory living here 2' asked sho.
"There's farmer by that name, ma'am.
John Mallory-if its him you mean.
"Ths same, no doubt He's living shen-a
"She died some six yeArs ago, ma'am, and
we'll, perhaps, considering the misfortune ths
come to the family
.Misfortune 2'-
Then you don't know said the lsndlo
.ieliehted to have some intelligence to commu
cste. hut mArveling much that this groat ],
could feel any interest in the Mallory fam
UWell, it's . great misfortune, and the worst
It Ia, it was al his own fault. II people will
10 foolish, they must take the consequenc
Theye wasn't more prosperous man in to
than John Mallory, and his property feing mi
iy in real estate, there vas no rsason why
shouldn't keep it always, and lis children d