The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1876-01-20
THE LOST POCKETBOOK.

Inc scene was IN New YOrR. 1t was
cheerless afternoon. A biting wind
drove the snow before it like binding
mist, and the clouds hung so low as to
almost touch the roofs of the houses.
How desolate it is," Mrs. Halpine
sighed, glancing out from her attic
window on the gloomy prospect below,
as she smoothed and folded the garment
she had just completed; "and the colds
bitter L don't like to send you out,
Louise, but there's not bit of coal, and
Willie must have that medicine. I'd go
myself, but -
cob, 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
began to fasten on her faded cloak and
hood.
"Well, [ suppose you must" the
mother continued, as she wrapped up
the delicately embroidered garment
"You know the placer Mr." Rawdon's,
on Tenth street-that brown stone
house"
' Yes, yes, mother! I know"
Well, dear, run fast and keep your
self warm, and say to Mrs. Rawdon that
I'd have finished tho work before if
Willie hadn't been SO i'll. Three dollars
she owes me. You can call at the bakers
and get a loaf or two."
The child took the bundle and vanish
ed ont of sight down the dreary flight
of steps, while tho mother turned back
to the cradle where the sick child lay. He
held up his little hands and moaned
piteously: "Give me some tea, mamma,
Tn SO thirsty"
'' Yes, darling, as soon Louise comes
back"
Her eyes filed with tears as she raised
the little fellow to her bosom, clasping
him closely to keep him warm, for there
was no fire in the stove and the desolate
attic room was very comfortless. Yet
there had been a day when this same
pale-faced, meek-eyed woman sat in
luxurious chamber, with every comfort
that heart could wish within her reach:
and doting husbands strong arms of
love to encircle and protect her. But
her husband was dead, lying, unknown,
on some distant battlefield in the
South; and her riches had made them
selves wings and flown away. Forlorn
and friendless, sick at heart, and weary
from incessant 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 Louise made
her way through narrow by-streets and
squalid alleys into the most populous
and fashionable part of New York. The
biting wind still continued to blow with
a dreary, saddening wall, drifting the
leaden clouds and the mist-like snow.
But she walked on bravely, and reached
at last Mrs. Rawdon's. A dazzling glow
of light poured from all the lofty win.
dows, and sounds of music and merry
making fioated out upon the frosty air.
Mrs. Rawdon was giving grand party
in honor of her eldest daughters birth
night. Louise crept up the marble
steps and pulled the bell. A footman
in livery answered her timid summons.
"Can see Mrs. Rawdon, please 2"
she asked.
"See Mrs. Rawdon, indeed and she
in the parlor in the very middle of the
company! OF course you can't
He was closing the door, but Louise
caught at his sleeve and cried, implor-
ingly:
"Oh, please, please wait! Here's
the work she wanted; Miss Violet's
frock, you know. Mother promised it
by to night; do let me take it to her,"
The man hesitated a moment, and
then turned back.
Miss Violet's frock," he said; "she
wanted it, know. heard her scolding
because it didn't come home. Maybe
she'll see you. I'll try, anyhow. Come
in here and wait"
Louise followed him through the
arched hall and past the glittering par
lors into kind of ante-room adjoining
the supper apartment. Here, motion
ing her to a seat, he went in search of
his mistress. But it was full half bour
before Mrs. Rawdon could disengage
herself from her guests, and poor little
Louise, tired out with waiting, and be-
numbed with cold, was just on the
point of bursting into tears, when the
lady swept into the room.
"This is pretty business, now, isn't
2" she bLgan, as she received and un-
folded the bundle that Louise proffered
her. ~ thought you promised to bring
this yesterday"
{" Yes, ma'am but my brother Willie
was so i'll that mother couldn't sew"
"Oh, yes that's always the way
you've some excuse ready; but 1 shan't
ust you again, you may depend on it.