Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1876-01-06
JRSDA JAN UARY 8, 1876.

rangement, and the pride with which she re-
garded herself in the glass, after her toilet
was completed. Esther was struck by her
beauty, which became more apparant, now
that the charms of neatness set it of. Her
features were delicate and regular, her eyes
wonderful in their sweetness Of expression
and depth of color, and when the lids were
cast down, the long dusky lashes almost
swept her cheek. Her hair, which was raven
black and very fine, hung in two thick glossy
brads below her waist These, for conve.
nience sake, Esther bound around her head,
fastened them with crimson ribbon, which
set off to advantage the dark but rich color
of her complexion, and made her look like a
picture of one of the old masters, which had
stepped out of an antique frame. Before
evening, mistress and maid had struck up a
fast friendship, though unable to give it ex-
preston in words. The one was as eager to
learn as the other to teach, and displayed
such readiness in following the instructions
given her, that Esther felt convinced that she
had found treasure in her, and could not be
sufficiently grateful to her husband for hav-
ing picked her up. In few days time she
had entered com pletely into the routine which
was marked out for her, performing each
task faithfully, zealously, and in order; and
80 quick Was her comprehension, so rapid her
and so 1.-THE and active every turn
of her plant hands, that she saved her mis-
tress world of trouble and anxiety, and
made her feel as though burden were lifted
off her shoulders, the weight Of which she
had by no means realized until it was re-
moved The one drawback to their mutual
satisfaction the girl herself seemed de.
lighted with her new position-was her igno-
rance of English and this Esther Immediate
ly undertook to remedy by institutipg regu-
lar course of lessons, independently of the
practical instruction she gave her at all times,
in pointing out to her the names and uses OF
everything around them and she was amazed
at the aptness which her scholar displayed, in
mastering both the meaning and the pronun-
citation Of language usually so puzzling to
foreigners. On her part, she got Raymond to
give her instruction in Spanish, with which he
was we'll acquainted; so that very soon, by
dint of their mutual efforts, she and her
charge were able to arrive at tolerable com.
prehension of each others meaning, which
proved an equal qualification to them both.
The girl, on arriving, had given her name
as "Chola," or what sounded something like
it. But to Esther it seemed such queer ap-
pellation, that she faneied it must be a nick
name, and one day questioned her in regard
it, Leaving out all broken words, errors in
pronunciation, and various puzzling mistakes
with which their attempts at conversation
we're of necessity still replete, dialogue of
the following nature took place between them:
"Chola," is yours Spanish name? 1t
sounds different from any I have ever heard"
"Yes-no-I think not, Sehora. I forget
what language it is of. But is not my whole
name."
"Ah thought not. What are you really
calledw
"Picciola, Sefora and I used to hear from
nv mother, who is now with the saints in
Heaven, the meaning of the name, when l
was very little, young child. But | only
recollect part of what she told me-
"And what was that?" asked Esther, with
interest.
"My father was cast in prison, Sonora, for
some fault-at least, the wicked people &C.
cused him though my mother said he was al
ways good. She went with him to the prison,
and there I was born. And my father called
me his little flower, which had sprung up in
the ugly prison walls to cheer his heart"
"Ah yes, now understand" cried Esther,
and she related, as we'll as she could,
the story of "Picciola," and the poor captive
who had 80 tenderly cherished the frail plant,
which had forced its way into the light be-
tween the fag.stones of his prison yard, the
one companion of his solitude. The girl lis
tened with delight, and clapped her hands, as
she exclaimed
"That is just it, Senora remember it now,
we'll. But it is such long, long while since
nv mother told me, that | had forgotten
about it."
"Is it so many years since your mother
died, Picciola2"
"Ah yes, Sonora; was very small. But
remember her WE'LL"
"And your father he is also dead ?"
"Yes, Sehora; have been an orphan this
long while"
"And your relations with whom you since
lived-were they kind to your"
"Sometimes, but not always. have been
many times beaten-see here" and she drew
up one sleeve, disclosing scar on her arm.
I have more like that, on my body-but it
was because 1 was a wicked girl, my grand
mother said.
us your grandmother your only living re-
lation p asked Esther, inwardly plying the
hardness of the fate which had consigned the
poor child t, such cruel guardianship.
GAS far as I know, SeFora. Am l ever to
20 back to her again ?"
"Not if you wish to stay with me" answer.
ed her mistress readily. "Would you like to
live here always?"
Picciola seized her hand, and kissed it with
fervor.
"Ah! Senora, if you would only let me"
she cried, with glistenng eyes.
'Well, I will let you" replied Esther, "if
you will be good girl, and try to please me,
always"
"Oh will be so good do not wish ever
to 90 away from you, Sehora. l love you so
much. You are more kind to me than any
body I ever knew-except my own mother.
And now she is dead, there is nobody to care
for me any more" .,
Esther determined to keep the poor girl,
since she was so anxious to remain. She re-
ally liked her, and felt deep interest in her,
from the few circumstances she was able to
CLEAN from her in relation to her past life. 1t
seemed to her that Picciola must have been
born in a better station than present appear.
ances would indicate and the very fact of
her parents knowledge of the historical tale
from which her name had been derived, point
ed them out as having been people of some
education. The girl herself had nothing