South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1876-11-10
Romney Hampshire County, West Va, November TO-

with disease,-she hal SO pictured him
J say, that the thought OF meeting such
greatness, embodied, probably, in the
form Of tall, princely parsonage, who
could scarcely deign to look upon her.
caused her poor little heart to throb al
most to suffocation. At last she sum.
moned up sufficient courage To pull the
door-bcll. A handsome, motherly look.
! ing woman opened the door, for the doc.
tors servant. who usually attended to il,
was busy putting the doctors horses in
harness. Il don't think the doctor can
see you now little girl said the house.
keeper, looking somewhat disdainfully
upon the small figure and homely cape.
bonnet, in whose disfiguring shadow the
soft, brown eyes. were almost hidden
from sight. Lofty faltered then. What
should she DO in the great, crowded city,
il her mission had been i'm vains
q. please let me speak to him just n
momentI L came all tho way from
Thornville, and 1 haven't anywhere
to co.
She burst into tears. The sob and the
pathos of the child's tones had penetra.
ted into the interior Of the house.
"Who is it, Mrs. Sanderson?" spoke
up singularly manly voice, as some
one crossed the hall.
only little girl, sir. She's come n
good distance, She says, but rs it's after
hours, l thought
Never mind; let her como in. I'll
give her minute or two
Another second and Lofty, her brain
all in whirl, found herself breathless
and trembling in n bright-looking room
standing in the presence Of u slender,
light-haired, gentleman, whose smiling
eyes, like two benignant suns seemed to
send light and cheer into her poor, cold
| frightened, little heart.
well, anything the matter with your
eyes, little woman? Come here and let
me see."
Lofty, too frightened to speak. went
forward mechanically.
They don't look like it. Suppose
you take Off your bonnet and let me ex.
anime them more closely"
Lofty pulled Off the dingy head.dress
disclosing one of the sweetest and fair
est faces that heaven ever lent to earth
ut isn't my eyes, sir, it's mothers"
she said, falteringly.
| I'm An0 who IS mOtherY"
Its Mrs. Gaddis, sir, and we live in
Thornvi!!e.
1--WE do9 But that's a long distance
from here"
"Only few miles, sir. 1 walked in
since yesterday
Walked Coming, John, i'm n few
moments, he added, as the servant came
to the door. did you say You walked?"
Yes, sir. i felt so bad for mother,
because she can't sew any more, and
that's the way she earns our living. For
Betty Is lame in the hip, and can't go
out to service, and mother, now she can't
see very well, cries good deal to think
she can't work, and that makes her eyes
worse. l thought if you would give me
something for them that would cure her,
L wonld thank you so much! And if
you'd please TO wait till I'm grown up,
| would surely pay you the money for
It'd be certain to pay you every cent"
The doctor Looked her all over from
the curly crown to the coarse shoes, all
dusty and travel-worn. Then some
thing came into his eyes which he
winked away. and he put his hand on
the child's head.
You're brave, little girl no said
and that was all.
She dared not raise her eycs TO his
face while he drew on his long riding
gloves. She did not see the pressure
OF his lips, and then, the half.amused
smile that curved them, rs he looked
forward to the growing up of the mite
who stood trembling before him.
gsf 'nmn ~ hn
made her start and thrill to the heart
with joy, though she did not know why.
But she looked up and saw that he was
moving towards the door.
81 am going to see your mother" he
said, smiling like prince. and oh. what
pleasant eyes he had They seemed rs
II they might look life into your eyes
that were dead.
Seven years ago." lie said. al was
ut Thornyille, and weariei out with n
long walk. was student, and I
stopped at cottage door and rested
A sweet.facod woman, with little Girl
In her arms, gave me some cool fresh
milk TO drink. Who knows but it was
your mothor?"
lie took her hand in his, and to tho
surprise OF the portly housekeeper. led
the little girl, with her homely frock
and her old sun.bonnet, TO his wide.
substantial buggy. Then placing her
carefully upon the seat, he got in be-
side her, and they went off together.
The afternoon sun set its mild beams
over the country lanes and fields, when
ut last little Lofty, her scheme trium.
plant, drove up to the cottage home.
They found the widow in terrible
CONSERVATION, and Betty, tho lame girl
crying; for news had just come that
Lofty had gone Oft TO the city by her.
self, and the fond. mother heart pictur.
Ell all sorts Of catastrophes for her Child.
But when the doctor told his story. and
presented the brave little girl, the mourn
ing was turned Into joy.
No pains were spared TO restore sight
to the eyes, diseased from Over.work