The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1876-11-09
THE MISSING RING.

Mr. father had been dead a month,
vhen one morning Mr.. Maitland, our
isn1y lawyer, one Of my fathers Oldest
friends, called on me. fR2 si3. 10 1
aMr. Charles, >, he said, after we had
sAaken hands, "we have arranged your
t,tber's affairs, and found a purchaser
ior tie estate, but"
aAsalf outlying debts paid in full ?''
interrupted, auickly. t.s,ziEgis
aThey are, but" continued our kind
ffisad, in q troubled voice, 81 grieve to
~ there ishardly any thing left for you
shdyour sister; scarcely a thousand
dollar" i M sar 5TaElI ~.
Istared at him a moment in dismayed
atenishment. " s.
"Ah!" be went on, "if you had only
followed my advice! There were
among your fathers debts more than
one that could honestly have been cut
down By one-half. Your father had ever
n open hand and generous heart,
ir!n
"Ifegret nothing that has been done,
Nj. Aaitlaad, and have but one more
question to ask you: When can l have
the thousand dollars?n go ~
Tomorrow, if you wish it,
A few days later my sister Emmeline
and bade adieu to our once happy
home-ours, alas! no longer-and de-
parted for New York.
~ spite of my efforts to bear up
against this sudden adversity that had
tallen upon US, the blow nearly over
vhslmed me at first. l did not think SO
much Of myself aman can always make
hhwf in this world with energy and
astrc viii, but l was troubled for my
dear .aster. How should I find the
resns for providing for this fragile,
dalcase gill of 16 all the comforts and
injuries she had hitherto enjoyed?
Nnen this terrible problem first pre-
ssnled itself to nae, / fell prey TOR just
one moment to utter discouragement
ana despair. But those of my race are
proud and strong Of will, and I mea-
WV resolved that / would light the bat
as q lfe 50 bravely that victory must
ahstcrown my efforts.
Arrived in New York we took mod
at apartment and furnished it with as
muen comfort as our slender resources
NOua Allow. made out a list of all
" Mtnsr's former friends and resolved
wspply to them one after another until
laa obtained employment. Day after
10y, week alter week, | solicited, hoped
saa waited. Promises without number
saplesslons Of interest for myself and
y as'er and regret for our bereave-
ns1 were llg1isbed upon me, but that
ss ~. 1t was the old story SC, we'll
aaowuto all those whose hard doom
upss them TO- seek aid or suceor,
aSa osr .ner iellows-promises first, then,
vas,91. I'VE had now been three
;.a O,Ios U New York when one MORN
pcnd that only five dollars re-
\. eq n my purse. Here. then, was
~ - sSa u o. oil my dreams. But now to
49, 49, 0e cruel reality. The winter was
,. ,..vaenlng, my sisters pale face was
ssmg psler day by day, and a hack
=. sgh began to harass her. An
M, Sssl!OOr'19 !lOOr19nlght 9i passed, during which
"a - sen ~ obliged to part with my watch
.i..,salr snalr and even some articles of
.. llg, y 70 procure the bare necessa-
h,s, s, worse than all, was at length
49,. [ 70 aequaint Emmeline with our
'O,s naa position. The poor child tried
s11ort me with tender caresses and
~ slul s words, but the words died, away
h y hs y. quiyering lips, and gave place
Soss.e ef sobs. And I could do nothing.
s,:l s.::angp All, yes! one last hope re.
h1 wv ~:. 70 me. Some days previous l
lin = s,i'aen to Mr.. Maitland, telling
" my desperate condition and re-