Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1878-08-07

ed all these years for Donald, dear Don
aid, dear Donald and the tears Tell
thick and fast.
Down at the wharf vessel had just
dropped anchor and furlcd her damp
sails. The passengers left the deck
with quick tread but with sober faces,
for the y-plunging waves swelling
loudly and darkly to the spray-swept
shore, and the chilly, gusty wind pos
sessed very depressing influence. One
ofthe passengers, man ofabout forty,
with heavy beard and keen, gray eyes,
grasped his well-worn satchel, and
started on his way through the wet and
cheerless streets. He well knew his
way, for he ignored all offers of assis-
lance, turned neither to the right nor
the left, but straight ahead to the prln-
cipal street. He then slackened the
pace somewhat, and as he neared his
town hall, he scanned the numbers
closely. No. 7S5, 1856, 7S7,7S8-here'S
the numbers, surely, but I'm not so sure
of my man. He ran up one flight of
stairs and his eyes met the sign, Du-
pont & Raymond. Attorneys-at-Law.'
Yes he is all right so far-he touched
the bell.
is Mr.. Dupont in?' He IS; walk in,
please, invited the office-boy. Where
is hep abruptly asks our caller. In his
sanctum,' answered the boy; what
name sir?' Tell him an old friend
wishes to speak to him. He'll not
come for that, sir; there are SO many
imposters, sir that he'll never come
without your name, sir ASK him if
he likes filberts, boy
That 'ud be a queer question, sir Ask
him, queer or not
Mr.. Dupont said the boy, entering
the pleasant retreat of the bachelor
lawyer, "a queer man has just come in,
and it's he, sir, not 1, that wants to
know if your hon or likes ilberts.' Fill
berts, filberts, unused he 'filberts, and
light broke over his face, bring him
in," and as the boy rose to do his bid
ding, he arose, and quickly following,
greeting the new conner on the thresh-
hold. Donald, boy, can it be p Ralph,
oh, Ralph, and the two embraced each
other with such fervor that they might
have been called David and Jonathan.
The great coat was laid aside, the
coffee and oysters for two were brought
and they ate and drank and talked, they
gave never thought to the little office
boy outside who-the lobby door being
left wide open-heard every word that
they spoke. A name arrests his lag
ging attention he hears his master
say, and have you never heard word
from your wife or concerning her?' and
the reply came sadly, Never, oh, my
God, what will all Thy goodness to me
do ifI cannot find my poor wife and
helpless children p
Cheer up, Donald, we must hunt up
all the Roscoes in the city, but she still
may have used her maiden name
strange, but l forgot it what was it?'
'Delapiere-her father was French,
you know. If she has taken that name
l can trace her if she is living, for there
are few 'Delapieres' in America
Pho. very few 1 know lots Of 'cm.'
1t was the ofice-boy talking aloud in
his excitement.
'Davie, called Mr.. Dupont.
well, sir, answered Davie, coming
to the door.
What are you talking about?'
4 couldn't help hearin' what you
said, sir
And what did you say-turn about is
fair play?
II, stammered the office boy, L
said Delapiere was common enough. l
know five of 'em, sir
Five Ielapieres, said the visitor,
grasping the boys arm tightly. Tell
me, boy, what are their given names,
and where are they?'
We'll, sir, loosen your grip, please
sir-there. There's Mrs. Delapiere,
she's beautiful woman, but SO sad
like and poor And the others, what
Of them?' asked the stranger. We'll,
sir, there's Frank Delapiere, he's the
bravest boy 1 ever knew, sir, but he's
starvin' and there's Fred Delapiere,
and Harry Dclapiere, and Baby May,
who is dyin', least ways that's what
my mother said this mornin'.' Take
me to them, quick, boy, and a purse of
gold is yours Il don't want the gold,
sir, bat they will, sir, if you've got it,
and I'll lead you quick If Mr.. Dupont
says so.' Yes, go Davie, lad. and
may God bless you, Donald, in your
undertaking.
They wound about great deal, Mr..
Roscoe thought, but soon all the build
ings were lett behind, and they went
with quick feet down crooked Dirk's
Lane. Here's the place, SIR said
Davie, and Mr.. Roscoe held out some
shining gold with the remark, Take it
chlld,' but the quick-wittcd child was
gone, and Mr. Roscoe tapped gently on
the shaky door,
1t was opened little way, and a gen.
tie voice, full of tears, asked what is
wanted?' Does Mrs. Delapiere live
here?' inquired the muffled voice. i
am Mrs. Delaplere; is there any service
can render you?' Let me in, please,
L .