The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1878-06-26


Raising half way up in bed, and
resting her thin wasted hands upon
the heads Of the kneeling girls, she
said slowly and solcmnly, "May the
Lord bless thee, and shield thee from
all harm, so guiding your footsteps
that we may all be again united in
Heaven. Good bye my -"
The last words were lost TO the
weeping children, and looking up
they found that their mother had fall
en- back upon her pillow asleep, with
her hands tightly clasped over hei
bosom. But alasl twas not the sweet
natural sleep she had slept but afeS
hours before, but the long eternal
sleep Of death.
When Ella found her mother was
really dead she gave one long, pier
cling shrek and fell fainting to the
floor. Mrs, Gray, woman who rent.
ed the t&o lower rooms Of the same
house, came rushing in, followed by
two or three neighbors, who soon re-
vived the fainting girl, and perform.
ed the last sad offices for the body oi
Mrs. Leeburt, which their helpful
hands was soon made ready for its
final resting place.
After the funeral, the two orphans
sorrowfully returned to their now de-
serted home. They were all in all to
each other now, Ella remembering
her mothers request to send the let
ter to her uncle; entered the adjoin-
ing room with her sister to procure it.
Seating themselves beside an old
wooden trunk, they commenced turn
ing over its contents. Ella, who was
busily engaged removing her moth
er's clothes to another trunk, was in
terrupted by her sister who exclaim-
ed:
"Oh, Ellal here is a beautiful album
with mammals name on the fly leaf.
1t must have belonged to her before
she was married. Oh! my, do look at
this handsome young man, how much
he looks like dear mamma"
Ella coming to her sisters side,
said sadly:
"Why, Mamie didn't you ever see
that before; it is u photograph Of
mammals only brother, (our Uncle
Charles,) taken about the time man.
ma Was married."
mo indeed; but-0hl here's
the letter, Ella" exclaimed Mamie,
suddenly catching q glimpse Of it
among the other things,
ayes, must at once have it mail
ed, for you know, Mamie, if our Uncle
does not receive this letter, or feel in
clined to answer it, we will both have
to work for our daily bread or starve,"
The last was spoken SO low that
her sister did-dot.hear it; shes being
so young, had no fear Of the cold, dark
future that lay before them; but left
all to Elias judgment.
Ella departed with theletter, leav-
ing her sister with kind Mrs. Gray,
who had volunteered to give the two
orphans a home till their Uncle
should come and claim them. Weeks
passed, until two months had gone
by, but as yet they had heard Moth
ing from their Uncle.
At last Ella found that they could
no longer burden Mrs. Gray, who had
children of her own and n worthless
husband to support, and asked Mrs,
Gray to procure hersome work. She
promised to do her best for the two
girls for whom she had so warm feel
ing.
II used to do plain sewing for the
uptown ladies'" said she; "before my
eyes got SO weak. We will go out
this very evening, if Mamie will
take care of the children"
"Will you dear?" turning to Nan,
who was romping with baby Willie.
ayes, certainly Mrs, Gray" said
Nan cheerfully.
In about two hours Mrs. Gray and
Ella returned, with splendid news to
tell Nan. Ella had procured some
plain sewing from the ladies regu-
farly which would enable them to
pay the rent and obtain a few things
besides. Matters went along all
right for a long while until, one of the
ladies' getting dissatisfied with the
work, with which the poor girl sat
up until midnight to finish, dis
charged her,
1t was great blow To Ella, who
depended upon that money to pay
the rent, which was now overdue.
Several days later, Nan, who was
busily engaged in preparing supper,
was startled to hear n knock at the
door. Thinking it was Mrs. Gray,
she said:
"Come in"
Great was her surprise, when not
Mrs. Gray, but an extremely hand
some young man entered, saying
pleasantly as he observed her fright
ened look:
"Don't be afraid, little one; where
is your father2 Ihave come for the
rent; as our agent is sick l have con-
concluded to collect it myself. 1t has
been due over month. you know"
Instantly Mans eyes filled with
tears, and with trembling voice, she
snid.