The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1876-01-24
THE LOST POCKETBOOK.


n cheerlcss afternoon. A biting wind
drove tho snow before it Ikea binding
mist, and the clouds hung so low rs to
almost touch the roofs of the houses.
"-How desolate it is" Mrs. Halpine
sighed, glanciug out from her attic
window on the gloomy prospect below,
Ms she smoothcd and folded the garment
she had Just completed; "and the colds
bitter. don't like to send you out,
Louise, but there's not u bit Of coal, and
Willie must have that medicine. I'd 60
myself, but
"Oh, mother, no let me go-I don't
mind il it is cold. I'll hurry back j
and the little girl sprang up from her
low seat beside tho child's cradle and
began to iasten oil hor faded cloak and
hood.
"WcIl, I suppose you must" the
mother continued, ns she wrapped up
tho delicately embroidered garment.
"You know the placer Mr.. Rawdo!'s,
on Tenth street-tlat brown stone
house."
"Yes, Yes, mother! know"
"WelI, dear, run fast aud keep your.
self warm, and say to Mrs. Rawdon that
I'd have finished tho work before il
Willie hadn't been so i'll. Three dollars
she owes lie. You Cau call at the bakers
aud get loaf or two. !"
Tie child took the bundle and vanish
cd out OF sight down tho drenry flight
of steps, while the mother turned back
to the cradle where tho sick child lay. He
held up his little hands and moaned
piteously: "Gire Inc some tea, mamma,
I'm so thirsty"
" Yes, darling, rs soon Louise comes
back"
Her eyes filed with tears rs she raised
the littlo fellow to her bosom, clNsping
him closely to keep him warm, for there
was no fire in the stove and tho dcsolatc
attic room was very comfortless. Yet
there had been n day when this same
pale-faced, meek.eyed woman sat in n
luxurious chamber, with every comfort
thnt heart could wish within her reach;
nnd doting husbands strong arms OF
love to encircle and protect her. But
her husband was dead, lying, unknown,
on some distant battlefield in tho
South; aud her riches had made them
selves wings aud flown aIay. Forlorn
and friendleSS, sick at heart, and weary
from incessant toll, she sat, with her
wailing child upon her lap, gazing out
with hopeless, fearful eyes upon the
dismal scene beneath her attic window.
In the meantime, little Louise made
her wny through narrow by-streots and
squalid alloys into the most populous
and fashionable part OF New York. The
biting wind still continued to blow with
drCary, saddoning vail, drifting the
leaden clouds and tho mist.liko snow.
But she walked on bravely, and reached
at last Mrs. Rawlon's. A dazzling glow
OF light poured from all the lofty win
dows, and sounds Of music and merry
making hoated out upon the frosty air.
Mrs. Rawdon was giving grand party
in honor OF her eldest daughters birth.
night Louise crept up the marble
steps and pulled the bell. A footmAn
in livery answered her timid summons.
"Can I sec Mrs. Rawdon, please 7"
she asked. -,.....
"See Mrs. Rawdon, indeed and she
in tho parlor in the very middle Of the
company OF course you can't"
Ho was closing the door, but Louise
caught at his sleeve and cried, implor-
ingly: :,
"0h, please, please watt Here's
the work sho wantCd; Miss Violet's
frock, you know. Mother promised it
by tonight; do lot me take it to her. "
The man hesitated moment, and
then turned back.
"Miss Violet's frock," he said; "she
wanted it, I know. heard her scolding
because it didn't come home. Maybe
she'll sec yoa. III try, anyhow. Come
in hero and wait. "
Louise followed him through the
arched hall and past the glittcring par.
lors into kind Of aute-room adjoining
tho supper apartment. Here, motion.
ing her to seat, he went in search OF
his mistress. But it was full half hour
before Mrs. Rawdon could disengage
herself from her guests, and poor little
Louise, tired out with waiting, and be-
numbed with cold, was Just on the
point OF bursting into tears, when the
ady swept into the room. .
" This is n pretty business, now, isn't
itl" sho bLgan, rs she received nnd un.
folded tho bundle that Louise proifercd
her. "I thought you promised to bring
this yesterday"
"Yes, ma'Am but my brother Willie
was 80 i'll that mother couldn't sew.
"Oh, yes tlAt's always tho way