South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1879-05-30
THE TWO ORPHArS.
Or. Changes OF Fortune.

me water cried feeble voice, from a
, couch in . low. shabby looking house.
in TIE outskirts Of the City OF p.
The room in which was heard the
voice. so piteoasly crying for water
was almost ~ dilapidated a. the exteri-
or OF the house.
The bed In which the sufferer Law was
covered with clean dark quilt, a little
stand with q few bottles Of medicine.
and boquet OF fragrant violets, stood
by the bedside OF the invalid.
Two chairs, table. and small stove
completed the furniture Of the room.-
As the sound OF the voice died away a
door In an adjoining apartment opened.
and young girl, of perhaps some six
teen summers, entered.
Approaching the couch she asked i'm
q gentle voice, What is il mother, dear?
What can do for your Give me wa
ter. give mo water almost shrieked the
woman. fairly rising from her bed in her
eagerness to procure the coveted drink.
Lie still mother. will get you drink
said the girl, and Fastening into the 9TH
er room. soon returned. with glass of
clear cold water, which she handed TO
her mother, who drank IL eagerly, and
then fell back upon her pillow in deep
sleep.
The young girl walked YEARLY TO the
window. and resting her head upon her
hands. appeared to be in deep thought;
she was looking anxionsly into the
dreary, dirty street below, Us if waiting
for some one.
And now, while the mother is sleeping
annfnll,, and hn lon
her lonely watch, will be an excellent
chance. dear reader. to give you peep
into the history Of this little family.
Mrs. Leeburt the invalid. had sprung
from a hauty race. Her father was We
ry wealthy, and proud OF his gold and
position. Her mother died when she
was quite young. The only companion
OF her early years was a brother. some
years older than herself.
Lawyer Earle was very proud Of his
children. and watched each day every
improvement, especially was lie proud
OF his beautiful daughter Ella.
Now, Lawyer Earle hal in his en-
ploy young man of splendid character,
who fell in love with sweet Ella Earle,
at first sight.
lie one day startled his employer by
asking for the hand Of his daughter,
which 80 enraged the proud old gentle
man that he threatened to turn him out
OF his employ, his sole objection being
the young mans poverty, he having set
his heart upon his daughter making a
rich match.
Ella fell upon her knees and begged
her father TO relent, but lie WAS inexo-
rable and swore that if she married n
beggar las he termed young Leoburt) he
would disinberit her.
Her brother also declared that il she
married him that she should never dark
en- their threshold again. Cut to the
heart. the poor girl sought her lover,
who pleaded with her to elope with him.
She consented, and they were married
in a little village not far from her for
mer home.
Years passed, and two beautiful little
girls camo to be q bl cssing To their fond
parents. Ella. tue eldest. the exact
counterpart of her mother. and sweet
little Nan, the pet and sunshine Of the
house.
When Ella WAS twelve years old her
father, worn out with hard work and
anxiety, died. leaving his wife and chill.
jren pennilsss.
His wife was so shocked by the blow,
that from that time her health began to
fail. and for four long years she was
slowly, but surely dying with consump.
ton.
For a long time Ella sat by the win.
dow watching for her sister, who had
gone for medicine.
Directly her mother awoke anil asked
for her; coming swiftly to the bedside.
she found that great change had come
over her, she looked so white and death.
like.
Just then the door opened, and
bright, pretty, little girl OF twelve came
dancing in, bnt seeing her sisters up.
raised finger said, quietly:
oh sister. | have the medicine. and
I know dear Mamma will soon get well
My dear child, | am afraid | arm be.
yond the power Of all medicines. said
the mother. 4 feel that this is my last
night upon earth, and but for your sakcs
I would gladly welcome death
oh ! Mamma, Mamma. you must not
talk Of DEATH cried Mamie, the very
idea making her almost wild
Tome closer my darlings, IL is GET
ting so dark; have something 10 tell
you before die. You remember NV
telling you often OF your grandfather
and uncle. My father is dead. $50
learned from the daily papers) I have
written TO my brother, asking him 10 try
and forgive me, and TO care for nv
children when am deal You will find
the letter in my trunk. which stands be.
bind the door in tile next room
Here violent ft Of coughing came
on which rendered her 80 very weak.
that she lay back, painting for breath. -
The two girls knelt by the bedside weep.
ing bitterly. Presently when sho had
gathered sufficient strength. she said in
a voice, now almost whisper. Dear
ones, do not weep so, it will only be for
a little while that we will be separated.
aud, my children. when you become dis.
la - as.r 4 II To-. a l.