The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1876-01-28

The scene was in New York. II was
n cherries afternoon. A biting wind
drove the snow before il like a blind
ing mist, and the clouds hung so low
rs almost to touch the roofs Of the
houses.
"How desolsie il is" Mrs. Ha n
sighed, glanciI g out from her attic
window on the gloomy prospect below.
as she smoothed and folded the gar.
ment she had just completed; "and
the colds bitter. don't like to send
you out, Louisa. but there's not bit
Of coal, and Willie must have that
medicine. I'd go myself, but"
"Oh, mother, no! let me go-I don't
mind If it is cold. I'll hurry back" and
the little girl sprang up from her low
seat beside the child's cradle and be
gan to fasten on her faded cloak and
hood.
"well, I suppose you must" the
mother continued, as she wrapped ar
the delicately embroidered garment,
"You know the place, Mr.. Rawdon'.
on Tenth street-that brownstons
house."
"Yes, yes. mother. I knowi"
"Well, dear, run fast and keep your
self warm. and say to Mrs. Rawdor
that Id have finished the work befor,
it Willie hadn't been so i'll. Tire,
dollars she owes me. You can call a
ihe bakers and get loaf or two
The child took the bundle and van
ished out Of sight down the drear,
flight of steps. while the mother turn
ed to the cradle where the sick chill,
lay. He held up his little hands ane
moaned piteously. "Give me som,
tea, mamma, I'm SO thirsty"
"Yes, darling. as soon as Louis,
comes back"
Her eyes filled with tears as sh,
raised the little fellow to her bosom
clasping him closely tokeep him warn
for there was no fire in the stove anc
the desolate attic room was very com
fortress. Yet there had been a day
when this same pale-faced, weakeyec
woman sat in q luxurious chamber
with every comfort that heart coult
wish within her reach; and a dotinl
husbands strong arms Of love to en-
circle and protect her. But her hus
band was dead. lying, unknown, on
some distant battlefield in the South;
and her riches had made themselves
wings and flown away. Forlorn and
iriendless, sick at heart, and weary
from incessent 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 Louisa made
her way through the narrow by-street,
and squalid alleys into the populou,
and fashionable part of New York
The biting wind still continued to blow
with dreary, saddening wall, drifting
the leaden clouds and the misi-lik,
snow. But she walked on bravely
and reached. at last Mrs. Rawdon's
A dazzling glow of light poured from
all the lofty windows, and sounds o.
music and merry-making fioated GU
upon the frosty air. Mrs. RawdoI
was giving a grand party in honor o
her eldest daughters birth-night. Loui
sacrept up the marble steps and pulle,
the bell. A footmap in livery answer
cd her timid summons.
"Can l see Mrs. Rawdon, please ?
she asked.
"See Mrs. Rawdon, indeed! and sh,
in the parlor in the very middle of tn
company! Of course you can't"
lie was closing the door; but Louis
caught at his sleeve and cried i'm plor
ingly:
"Oh. please, please, wait! Here
the work she wanted; Miss Violet
irock you know. Mother promise,
it by tonight; do let me take it b
her.
The man hesitaled a moment, an.
then turned back.
Miss violet's froek." he said
she wanted it I know. ! heard he
Seeding because il didn't come home
Maybe she'll see you. I'll try, anyhow
Come in here and wait
Loui.a followed him through the arcl
el hall and pass the glilteiing parlors
iato kind oeante-room adjoining tn
supper apartment. Here, motioninI
her to . seat, he went in search Of hi
mistress. But il was full hsif-hou
before Mrs. Rswdon could disengag
herself from her gsests, ard poor It'll