Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1876-04-21
LITTLE APPLE WOMAN.


the earliest sunbeam set the church spire
over the way into a twinkle, and danced
down stairs, singing as gayly as a lark !;
for that day she was to have a holiday,
and holidays didn't come very often to
her. Miss Snip, the milliner, with whom
she lived-for lilly had neither father OF
OF mother-was kind to her in her way,
and gave her plenty to eat and drink, a
comfortable little room enough to sleep in,
and dressed her in quite q dainty fashion
by altering her own fnery for her wear.
You would really have imagined her to
be petted inmate of one of those great
houses in the park, if you could have seen
her tripping along past them, with her
bright holiday face and graceful little fig
ure. Miss Snip had told her that she might
she pleased for all day, and she felt as
light and free as the air, her arms unen-
numbered by any burdensome band-boxes,
and her brain unencumbered by any per-
picking messages. Then she had good
many bright pennies in her pocket, given
her by Miss Ships customers, who were
pleased with her obliging ways and
sweet face and she could ride into the
country, if she liked, where the yellow
stars in the grass were as thick as if lthad
rained dandelions all night, and sparrows
made everybody glad with their gladness.
She had great mind to do this, for it was
a warm, fragrant, though damp and
cloudy, April day, and she hadn't been
out of the old seaport town for so long a
time but the wharves, and the ships, and
the water had greater charm for her, af
ter all so she gave up her idea of a coun-
try ride, and bent her steps toward the wa
ter.
Every spare hour she could get she spent
upon the wharves, listening to the quaint
songs of the sailors, watching eagerly the
ships that sailed in and sailed away, and
scanning every bronZed face that appeared
upon their decks for lilly had a half
brother who was sailor. To be sure, he
had sailed away years and years ago, and
everybody thought that he, with the ship
he sailed in, must haye been lost, for they
had never been heard from since. But
lilly couldn't help hoping that he was
still alive, and would some time come back
to her again. She could remember him
distinctly, though she Was a very wee
thing when he went away. She could re-
member that he was very tall and very
brown, and used to take her on his knee
and tell her funny stories and sing her
funny songs. Her poor mother broke her
heart about him, almost and they scarce
ly saw happy day after he went away,
for father died long before, when lilly was
only a few months old, and they were all
alone in the world.
lilly was sure she would know him if
she were to meet him anywhere. for she
had his picture. He had it taken just be-
fore he went away, for his mother, and be-
fore she died she gave it to lilly, and told
her never to part with it and then if jim,
who would not know where to find her,
should ever come back, she might meet
him by his resemblance to the picture.
| There were more sails than common,
she thought, tapping like white wings in
the frolicsome spring wind, as she hurried
down the long street that led to the water
! but there were clouds in the sky, that
looked very much like shower. While
she was stopping to consider whether she
should go OF not, she noticed an old apple
woman, seated before her stand over the
way, in evident distress. Her face was all
screwed up as if she were in pain, and she
kept rubbing one Of her shoulders with her
hand. Tilly's tender little heart was
touched in an instant, and, crossing over
| to the old woman IS side, she purchased a
| few apples, and then ventured to ask her
what was the matter.
ssOh, it's only my rheumatic, bless ye,''
said the old woman. 'It twinges in my
shoulder dreadful this damp weather. 1t
pears now as if should have to give up
business for to-day, but if I did heaven
knows where jimmie and I'd get our dinner
and supper. I paid the last shilling 1 had
for rent last night. jimmie, my daughter
is poor, sick creature, and can't do moth.
in"
"Let me take your place." said lilly
eagerly; '' 'twould be real fun for me, and
I know that I should sell quantities of ap-
pies. It's going to rain, you. know, and
that will make your rheumatism worse.''
The old woman looked at her with sur.
prise, and shook her head, but lilly was
not to be put off in that way.
$50 you are afraid to trust me with youl
apples" said she, looking up into the old
woman's face with her winning smile.
! "Bless your heart! No, DEAR" said the