Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1878-04-23
Casta Diva.
"A THRILLING STORY.

Il "A THRILLING STORY.
"Heigh, no." sighs Mr.. Patron, "whs
forlorn thing it is to live alone!" an
he drew his easy chair close to the fir
and ensconced himself therein, wrar
ping his tri-colored dressing gown abou
him. II wish [ were married [ knoy
a lady-boards in the same house, stoo-
and believe she'd have me, if wer
to ask her. I mean the pretty music
teacher. She is young, delicate AM
amiable; only there seems to be some
thing melancholy about her, as though
she had known sorrow besides she is
widow. I like her enough, and be
lieve she likes me. I'll think this ever
have plenty of money and nobody Il
spend it upon. Yes, think I will ask
pretty Madame Victor to marry me- :
Rap, rap. rap!
| "Come in-who's there ?u
"Clean clothes! and pray who ar,
you, you little cherub, and where do yor
come from? ?"
II am Lauretta, sir; and I live with
Bridget, who washes your clothes, and
she sent me with the basket tonight
Eyes, I should think she had, you
little duckling; and the basket is bigger
than yourself! Come and sit down in
this chair by the fire and warm youl
toes-there, now want to talk with
you. Are you Bridget's child?n
"Oh, no. SIR" and look of care pas
ses over the little face.
| mo. I thought not. WasherwO-
mems children don't have such eyes,
nor such broad foreheads, nor such soft
hair. Well, bride, how came you with
Bridget? Have you no parents ?"
II don't know. only dream have.
Bridget lets me stay with her because
can sing. Oh, sir, sing my songs, in
the great houses, and they give me six
pences and I carry them all to Brid-
get"
"Aha! you pay your board, then
Well, little Lauretta, will you sing for
me now?"
"Yes, indeed" and the little one
stands up in the middle of the rug, and,
opening her rosebud mouth, she sings
Castd Diva.
"Bless my stars, what voice I
know something of music myself; at
least enough to know that such a voice
should be fortune to the one who pos
sesses it. Where did you learn that ?'
Nurse taught mel
Nurse? Who is nurse ?"
"Nurse is dead" The dark eyes fill
ed with tears and the ruby lips are qul-
| verine
Mr.. Patron walks up and down the
room. His curiosity is excited as well
as his pity.
please, sir, shall have my basket?
Bridget will soold, if stay so long"
No, little one, will carry the bas-
ket am going home with your
TITS up five flights of stairs, sir, and
there is no light in the passage-way."
"Ali the more reason fshould go with
you. Now 1 am ready. Come, INV little
singer, you and will be better ac-
quainted before long. Don't fall down
these stone steps; keep hold CT any
hand; here we are IN 2 Broadway.
NOW where &c We turn down Prince
strset. hey? and now down Crosby.
What DO you live in this alley? oh,
never fear, little Casta Diva, I shall tread
safely enough. while this little hand
leads me. Ugh ! how many more
flights are there? only two? Well,
wen, ! can climb them If you can. So
is this the door?',
Och, and IS it you, sir, that would be
aithSr coming to see poor woman al
tais thls hour? 10 VIII you 30 seated sir?
sala Arlagas, Wiping wooden chair
Wita nef apron. Your shirts were
not ironed to be suiting ye, may be?"
..Shlrts all right, Bridget. I came ta
bring home your little girl, and to ask
you something about hes. She has beer
singing to me. Will you tell me where
shp came from?n
"Ye take deal o. trouble for a lons
| a nd sx 1
story is not SO very long. She lived
with q farrin woman in the room be
low, named Theresa. The woman said
she was waiting maid in Lauretta's
family, in Italy, somewhere. and while
she was cut with the child, then two
years old, for the sake Of the air. there
came big row in the city. and the
city, and the child's father was in thu
middle of it, and got kilt; and when shs
reached the house, all in fright, sure
it was all in fright, sure it was all on
ire, and the mother of it gene, and niv
er was she able to lnd her at all. 81
sac kept the child and comes to Ameri
ca with it; for she heard tell how th.
streets were paved with gold; and wher
!; she came and found nary gold, nor fooe
but for the working, she had to go t.
; WORK as all we poor crathers do, and sh,
took in washing in the one room dowr
stairs; but niver bit would she le
this child do for itself, but waited on il
, IKE slave, apd only taught it to sins
, as Its mother did before it, she said: an(
last year Theresa died.--This poor littl
, crather took her nleseif; only I'll b.
bringing her up differently intirely; IL
tache her to earn her bread at apy rate
and so l sends her out ever day to sin.
to the grast folks, and makes her he'll
all, STRIP ,'' - e
1T was very good ia you Bridget, t
, taAe .ne llttie orphan. You have save
ne her from q sad esate. eeYou will be reward
az. "a" you may depend"
Bridget raised her eyebrows end drop
ped courtesy, while little Casta Diva
as MF. batfon then and ever after calle
her, hid her face in the bed and sobbe
to hear her own story related. The kin
gentleman looked at her tendeTly, an
, continued:
II have plan tor this poor .chilt
which will at once relieve you for you
goodness of heart. Good night, Iittl
one, III come tomorrow. Dry you
tears, for will yet make you happy
AASiO oAAuSct, lS SOme money IOr Vol
and be sure you do not send her cut t
sing again: l have something better 70
her to do"
Bridget dropped another courtesy an
her mouth opened wide, for she was a
mystliied and bewildered.
An hour later and MI. Patron is acai
D seated in his easy chair before hi, brigl
# coal fire, with his dressing gown ont
more folded around him. The onl
;. difference is that he smiles instead
# signing as he did before.
t "Ah, yes," he says, II see my wa
clear. | can now without hesitatio
call on Madame Victor in her room,
interest her about my little Casta Div,
e | will tell her the story, and engage h,
g to cultivate the voice of my little pr
tege. I will see her her to-morro
morning, and perhaps she will accon
= pany me to Bridget's lodging. Not
= ! very inviting walk to invite the lady
= my heart to share, but then the ciroun
;, stauces are peculiar"
! "Now think of it, 1 must engage
= my lardlady the little bedroom ne,
y mine. 1 am determined to adopt th
singing cherub for my own. I wi