Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1878-04-23
MlSCELL N E 0US S.
TWENTY-FIVE CENTS.


'Picase, sir, will you buy my chestnuts ?"
"Chestnuts no." returned Ralph Moore,
looking carelessIy down on the upturred face,
whose large brown eyes, shadowed by tangled
curls of faxen hair werc appealing so pititully
to his own. ''What do l want with chest
nurs?"
"But, please sir, buy en-" pleaded the
little one, reassured by the rough kindness of
his tone. Nobody seems to care for them,
aud-aud-"
She fairly burst into tears, and Moore who
had been on the point of brushing carecss'y
past her, stopped instinctively.
caro- you very much in want of the mon
eyw
Indeed, sir, we are, sobbed the child J;
''mother sent me out, and"
''Nay, little one, don't cry in such heart
broken way" said Ralph, smoothing her hair
with careless Gentlencss. Il don't want
your chestnuts, but there's a quarter for you,
if that will do you any coed.
He did not stop to hear the delighted in
coherent thanks the child poured out through
a rainbow of smiles and tears, but strobe on
his way, mutteFing between his teeth:
THAT cuts off my supply of cigars for the
next twenty -four hours. don't care though !;
the brown eyed object really did cry if she
hadn't friend in the world. Hang it! l
wish was rich enough TO help every poor
creature ont of the slough of despond."
While Ralph Moore was indulging in these
| very natural reflections, the dark eyed little
damsel, whom he had comforted, was dash>
ii ing down the street. with quick, elastic foot
steps, utterly regardless of tho basket of nm
sold nuts that still dangled on her arm
Down an obscure lane she darted, between
! II .,,I oc i
narrow wooden staircase, to room where a
pale, neat looking woman, with large brown
| eyes ike her own was sowing as busily as if
the breath OF life depended upon every stitch,
and two little ones were contentedly playing
in the sunshine that temporarily supplied tho
place of fire. ---r 1 ~ F
"Mary! back already? Surely you have
not sold your cbestnuts so soon z"
"Mother mother, see" calculated the al-
most breathiess child, "a gentleman gave me
whole quarter. Only think, mother,
a whole quarter ~ -.a.s-
If Ralph Moore could have, only seen the
rapture which his tiny gift difused around
it in the poor widow Is poverty stricken home,
he would have urged still less the temporary
privation of cigars to which his generosity
had subjected him.
I ears came and went. 1he little chest
nut girl passed as entirely out of Ralph
| Moore's memory as if pleading eyes had
| never touched the soft spot in his heart but
Mary Lee never forgot the stranger who had
given her the silver piece.
The crimson window curtains were closely
drawn to shut out the storm and tempest of
the bleak December night the FIRE was glow
ing cheerfully in the well filed CRATE, and the
| dinner table, in glitter with cut glass, rare
| china and polished silver. was only waiting
| for the presence of Mr.. Audley
What can it be that detains papa 2" said
Mrs. rAudley, fair, handsome matron of
| about thirty. as she glanced at the dial of a
! tiny enameled watch. six O'Clock and he
does. not mako his appearance"
There's man with him in the study,
mamma-come on business" said Robert
Audley, pretty boy, eleven years old, who
was reading by the fre.
"I'll call him again." said Mrs. AudIey,
stepping to the door. But rs she opened it,
the brilliant gas light fell full on the face of
an humble looking man, in worn and thread
bare garments, who was leaving the house,
while her husband stood in the doorway OF
the study, appearantlJ relieved to be lid OF
the visitor. 81. ,.r. .
!. Charles" said Mrs Audleyi whose
cheek had paled aud flushed. 'who Is that
man. and what does he want 2"
His name is Moore, 1 believe, and he
came to see If would bestow upon him that
Yacan. nesseDsership in the bank