River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1878-08-01

when he had any shared his dinner often
with NANCY, dirty cur, who acted as a
sort of escape valve for the ill-tempe, of
half the men and women in the street !;
and he reused Pat Ryan from his mld-
night snooze in the gutter, and literally
carried him home to Norah and the chill
dren.
As for honesty, as a neighb0r remarked,
"If he found five shillings in the streets
he'd wear out ten shillings worth of
strength and shoe-leather to find the own
er
One cold, dark night, Paul was return
Ing from his work, with loaf of bread
unilcr one arm and violin under the
other. and nearly fell over small object
crouched on the step.
"Bless us! what's this?" cried Paul,
striving to regain his equilibrium.
"Only me, sir!" and the small object
stood up, and became very pale, thin and
ragged child.
Are you hurt, little girl!'
mo. SIR
What are you doing here in the cold9'
Nothing
"Why don. you go homei"
II amt got any"
"Dear me! Where's your mother"
Elm heaven"
at this Paul was dumfounded, and see
ing that great tears were stealing down the
the child's wan face, he thrust the yloiln
under the arm which had held the bread,
and, putting the other around the tiny
figure. he said, ''Oh, I've got home, a
real Jolly place! Come up and see"
And this is the way old Paul came to
have a neat little hOusekeeper, and to be
buying calico gowns and shoes ont OF his
poor salary.
People wondered at the sight Of this
bent old man. hitherto alone and uncared
for, now walking daily to his work with
his hand upon the shoulder of the odd
vet pretty-faced girl, looking at her with
honest PRIDE Frightening his eyes, and
laUghine as loud as she whenever the
iokt. came in. But old Pail looked I'M
concerned, evaded the questions OF Inc
curious, and learned TO love nothing IN
this world better than the little wait,
Camilla.
There were many, many days when
rheumatism drew Paul up by the fire in
the did back attic. and drew the very last
penny out of the dilapidated purse; but
brave little Camilla, never forgetting now
near death she had been on that bitter
night of their meeting, always found q
word to ward off hunger, and courage TO
keep them both bright until help came.
The winter of 1856 come in like hon,
many a poor wretch well remembers,
/ and with the blast come PauPs enemy
He turned, one night, sad face from
his warm corner in Bertman's shop among
the violins, and hobbled up the cold
street, feeling the approach OF the ola
rheumatic pains, and wondering what
would become of his poor little Camilla
His excitement carried him up to the
last flight of stairs, and, hearing Camilla
voice, be paused to rest and to listen
| She was singing in that sweet and OK
pressive manner that made her voice
seemed to him the sweetest and and purest
he had ever heard. At the end OF another
| star,zar he took breath, and another voice
said.
..ChiId, YOU astonish me. Either i
am poor Judge of music, or else your
voice is the finest | ever heard. You are
right i'll preferring its cultivation to any
thing else !,
an electrict thrill shot through old
/ Pauls frame. and quickened his blood
4 TO q rapidity that quite carried away his
rheumatic pains, and in twinkling ne
was up stairs and in his little attic.
He was terrified at the the sound OF 9
voice: but the sight of a handsome aho
polished gentleman, with diamonds II
his snowy linen, heavy ring upon his
dainty white hand. unquestionablt
broadcloth upon his back, in close con
versation with Camilla, whose wondrou'
beauty had of late startled even his dull
perception, was more than Paul coulo
bear.
lie was a very small man-had been IL
his youth-and now that Times wlther
ing fingers had touched him, he wa
shriyeled and dried. like withered fruit
but in his virtuous indignation he puffeC
ont to its fullest extent, and in a falsett'
voice piped.s camilla, how dare you in
wife anyone TO come heref'
"Oh. Uncle PAUL." This is Mr.. Clavel
inc the gentleman whose-whose-
s,Whose mother she saved from death
Your niece, sir, lew days since wa
passing through our crowded thorough
fare, when my mothers carriage drew a
| fO the pavement Inc uOASCS WC1C AOaSAts
and bidding the driver attend to then
She began to descend unassisteo. lie
foot was on the step, when the animal
sprano forward and flung her violentl
) from her foothold. But for the sudde
act of your niece, who received my moth
er in her strong, young arms, the ia
J might have proved fatal one. cam
: to dav at my mothers earnest reques
to express heartfelt gratitude, and I
! Offer
J .You needn't offer Camilla penny, 81
!, She'll never suffer while I've pair c
{ hands to work for her, said Paul.
, "You mistake me. [ dc not wish I
, insult you, but would raise this child fror
noyertv and would educate her. that sh
, might be Of use you and TO herself, an
: become refined woman. Don't let you
self love stand in your light, and shut
out from her. She sings like pTlm
donna, ana wished 10 study music.
/ The sar.se lustrous eyes Of the ohil
a turned imploIingly to the strang
e guardian.