The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1878-06-26
THE TWO ORPHANS,
OR,
CHANGES OF FORTUNE.

"Water, water, for Gods, sake, give
me water" cried a feeble voice, from
couch in a low, shabby looking
house, in the outskirts of the City Of
P.
The room in which was heard the
voice, SO piteously crying for water,
was almost as dilapidated as the ex-
terror Of the house.
The bed in which the sufferer lay
was covered with u clean dark quilt,
little stand with a few bottles ol
medicine, and a boquet of fragrant
yiolets, stood by the bedside Of the
invalid.
Two chairs, a table, and small
stove completed the furniture Of the
room. AS the sound of the voice
died away door in an adjoining
apartment opened, and a young girl,
of perhaps some sixteen summers,
entered.
Approaching the couch she asked
in gentle voice, "What is it moth.
er, dearP What can l do for YOUR
"Give me water, give me water" al
most shrieked the woman, fairly
rising from her bed in her eagerness
to procure the coveted drink.
"Lie still mother, / will get you a
drink" said the girl, and fastening
into the other room, soon returned,
with glass of clear, cold water,
which she handed TO her mother,
who drank it eagerly, and then fell
back upon her pillow in deep sleep.
The young girl walked wearily to
the window, and resting her head up
on her hands, appeared to be in deep
thought; she was looking anxiously
into the dreary, dirty street below,
as il waiting for some one,
And now, while the mother is
sleeping peacefully, and the daugh.
ter keeping her lonely watch, will
be IN excellent chance, dear reader,
TO give You a peep into the history
Of this little family.
Mrs. Leeburt, the invalid, had
sprung from a hauty race. Her faith
er was very wealthy, and proud of
his gold and position. Her mother
died when she was quite young,
The only companion of her early
years was a brother, some years older
than herself.
Lawyer Earle was very proud of
his children, and watched each day
every improvement, especially was
he proud Of his beautiful daughter
Ella.
Now, Lawyer Earle had in his en-
ploy a young nof splendid charac-
ter, who fell in love with sweet Ella
Earle, at first sigtt.
/, Hsnne day startled his employer
by asking for the hand Of his daugh-
ter, which so enraged the proud old
gentleman that he threatened to
turn him out of his employ, his sole
objection being the young mans
poverty, he having set his heart up
on his daughter makinga rich match.
Ella fell upon her knees and beg
ged her father to relent, but he was
inexorable and swore that il she mar
ried beggar (as he termed young
Leeburt) he would disinhGrit her.
Her brother also declared that if
she married him that she should
never darken their threshold again.
Cut to the heart, the poor girl sought
her lover, who plead with her to
elope with HIM. She consented, and
they were married in little village
not far from her former home.
Years past, and two beautiful lit.
tic girls came to be n blessing TO their
fond parents. Ella, the eldest, the
exact counterpart of her mother, and
sweet little Nan, the'pet and sun
shine of the house.
When Ella was twelve years old
her father, worn out with hard work
and anxiety, died, leaving his wife
and children penniless.
His wife was so shocked by the
blow, that from that time her health
began to fail, and for four long years
she was slowly, but surely dying
with consumption.
For long time Ella sat by the
window watching for her sister, who
had gone for medicine.
Directly her mother awoke and
asked for her; coming swiftly to the
bedside, she found that great change
had come over her, she looked so
white and death.like.
Just then the door opened, and a
bright, pretty, little girl of twelve
came dancing in, but seeing her sis
ter's upraised finger said, quietly:
"0ht sister, l have the medicine,
and i know dear Mamma will soon
get well"
beyond the power Of all medicines"
safd the mother. NJ feel that this is
my last night upon earth, and but
for your sakes, would gladly vel
come DEATH"
"Oh! Mamma, Mamma, you must
not talk of death" cried Mamie, the
very idea making her almost wild.
"Come closor, my darlings, it is
getting so dark; | have something to