The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1877-02-03

under such an exterior.
But follow her home after a day',
work is disposed of, and we shall fine
that self.sacrifice and devotion is some
times found under the low roof OF Q
hovel.
Before she enters the small apart
ment she calls home, she disappears in,
to some dark corner, and diyesting her
self of the old trumpety, emerges fresh
and clean.
"You are better to-day, Bonita. See,
my darling, have brought you some
thing nice," she said, holding up a
bunch of tempting purple grapes.
The person thus addressed was q girl
seated in an easy chair, supported by
pillows, evidently an invalid GONZALES
cent from long sickness, for the rose
color on her cheeks and lips, and .dewy
softness of her eyes, foretod returning
health.
She was beautiful-remarkab so,
and it was made still more apparent by
her coarse surroundings.
always thinking and planning for
me, dear grandma, and never for your
self" she said, looking gratefully at
the old lady-shall we say?
Yes, lady, for If according to the
American idea, the elements of true
womanhood, unselfshness and polite
rfess, constitute lady, irrespective of
condition, then the withered old rag
picker was one without doubt. She,
however, would have disowned the
title, being an Italian whose views of
birth and station differ materially from
ours.
When young and comely, she mar
ried one of her own station in life, and
together they toiled happily; but with
the improvidence common to the race
and soil, they failed to lay by for
rainy day. Those dark and dreaIy
days" came only too quickly, for short
ly after the birth of a son, the young
husband died, leaving his widow to
battle with poverty, belueathing to his
boy a name only.
The little Antonio, in due process of
time, became a man of, line presence,
with regular, handsome features, and
large luminous eyes. These attractions
gained for him much admiration, and
at last sweetheart, far above him in
social status, who being passiOuately in
love, dissented all advice aud interfer-
ence, and consented to- secret marri-
age.
In company with Antonio's mother,
the happy couple came to the New
World, the El Dorado of the untortun-
ate, when they were blessed with a
daughter, to whom was given her
grandmother's name-Benita.
She was lovely child, full of grace
and sweetness, which every day devel-
Oped into the formation of fine dis.
position; and being sent to the public
schools of New York, she could hardly
fail to acquire smattering at least, of
knowledge.
AT the time we introduce her, she
was in her eighteenth year, her parents
both dead, her grandmother being her
sole support and protector.
Perhaps it might be thought strange
that Bonita did not obtain employment
of some kind, and thus assist by divis.
ion of labor.
Alas, poor girl, she was unable to
move any part of her body except her
arms, for fall received years before,
had weakened her spine, leaving parti-
al paralysis.
But thanks to a noble charity, and
the skill of Doctor Knight she was
rapidly recovering the use of her limbs
by the aid of braces and straps, and he
prophesied speedy return to health
and strength.
Grandmother thought no task too
laboriOus, no labor disgraceful, that
brought comfort to her darling, the only
being she loved, or who in return loved
her,
She tried all kinds of employment
washing, ironing and scrubbing; but
the hard time coming on, families who
had hitherto hired labor, now did for
themselves, until work falling. she was
forced to accept the shelter of the
"rookery," and was thankful to learn
the profession of cleaning from the
teaching of an experienced ragpicker.
So we find her after a days toll, min
istering with an angel heart, aud bring
ing delicacies to tempt the appetite of
the sick girl. d..
"DO you ever think of yOurself?" in
quired Bonita, in low, musical voice,
a gift from Italy; when shall be able,
| will not say to repay, but to show my
love-" ,...
"Only get well, and / am satisfied" &"
replied her companion ;"but I've a sur.
prise for YOU" she continued, taking a
paper from her pocket. and spreading
1t before her on the table.
"The Family Story Paper, as live,"
the girl exclaimed; "It's just what
wished for. ooh, grandma, you are
indeed, kind fairy"
"l}ut very old Nithered one, dear
child; now you can amuse yourself to
morrow during my absence, by read
ing the love stories contained in it,.
"TEat will be delightful, for the time
does seem tedious; but know that you
bought it, instead of your supper, |
think you are waiting for your good
things in another and better world"
"Benita, good lnck, sooner or later,
follows our family and incredible as it
may apper, l tell you we shall be rich
yet"
81 hope so, blessed old comforter,
for your sake. / am rich now"
What could she mean, lying there
strapped aud unable to move ?
Shortly after this loving conversation,
4 ls.