West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1879-08-16

asked.
Are you going with me this evening to
the balllr
'Hattie, Hattie, " returned Captain Bart
letL shaking his head, 'why are you 50
completely absorbed in the gayeties of lifel
Do you ever think of anything serious |
don i want 10 talk cf balls or anything of
the kind. want to talk and think of nv
sister. You were too young to remember
much OF her, or you would not feel 80. She
was very lovely girl, and very loving too.
III had not been in foreign parts, so much
from home, / should have found her or
known something of her whereabouts
Suppose you should find them; their
position must be so. so-well, very differ
ent from ours IL would be very embarrass-
ing, to say the least, rejoined Hettie.
Position suppose II ISL 4 don't care
how humble. know we are Of the same
blood Oh. II | could find her, would
rejoice trulyfN Captain Bartlett said, with
much warmth
just about this time the ladies of Hat
ties circle had formed charitable society,
and, IL being quite fashionable to do the
benevolent, Hettie was well pleased to
spend her money thus
A severe cold, combining her to the house,
prevented her accompanying her friends
on their rounds of mercy.
However, TO her were assigned the needy
in her immediate neghborhood, a list of
whom was handed her.
"Only three. =" her friends said.
'Oh, indeed, / do not see how can do
1t. have 80 very many things on my
mind now. Here, Kate dear, take this, "
handing twenty pounds, "and do get what
they need just now, and let me off, won't
yout Hattie pleaded, always ready TO shift
of an extra case.
well, yes, replied her friend, ''hut
certainly you can give some little thought
To one family quite near here-a widow
with three children. They are very destit-
ute Come TO the window; | will show
you. You sec that houseG There they are
We got permission for them To occupy
couple of rooms. The house he's been un-
tenanted for long while. As it was going
TO destruction, they were willing that Mrs
Cant should stay there and take care of IL.
Now you must look out for these folks.
/ They are provided with sufficient for about
three days After that leave them TO YOU.
In the meantime, If you are disposed, you
can SEND them something. viii you pro
mise TO remember them2"
''Oh, yes, ] can attend 20 them
And may rest easy concerning them2'
Certainly. Let me see, this is Monday,
Wednesday or Thursday morning All
right; ! will remember, and send brother,
II am not well enough. He delights i'm
such errands, Hattie said
The three DAYS passed.
Hattie had been 50 busy examining, ad.
miring and displaying the handsome pres
ents from the Indies and China which her
brother had brought her, that all thoughts
OF the widow had entirely escaped her
mind.
She had fully intended TO do much, par
ticularly for the children.
She had lots of things she was going To
send them.
One week from the day she had promised
to take care of Mrs Cant, Captain Bartlett
came in, saying:
''lt is going TO be a bitter night, and am
afraid there will be a deal of suffering.
wish | could provide fuel for all the poor.
and feel that all about me had good sup
per and a warm bed to night ] feel more
for the old folks and children. Did YOU
send round some Of those preserves To the
poor young ones in the neighborhood,
Hattie2n
''Oh, dear, dear !" cried Hattie.
What is the matterl
"Why, enough Pm frightened TO think
what the consequence may be. forgot to
look after a family near-Mrs. Cant, poor
widow. Dear, dear I'm 50 sorry. have
so much to think of. / did intend"
"Oh, Hattie, those good intentions
again2" said her brother.
Hush! don't talk 10 me. Go; do.
will show you. Come to the door, - Hattie
urged, almost crying.
Captain Bartlett followed her.
Pointing TO the house, she said:
There is a child at the door now. Oh.
how cold il isl Do hurry I"
Her brother hastened TO do her bidding
Hours passed, and he returned not.
Hattie for while felt quite uneasy. but
at length quieted her fears with the thought
Of her brothers. meeting with some Of his
old friend and going with them
u was near ten o'clock when she heard
his step in the hall
Opening the drawing room, she called.
''Oh, you truantl Come in and give an
account ~ yourself Five hours absent"
She checked the light words as he
entered.
What a change this few hours had worked
in his features
Not as usually smiling he approached
her, but with eyes full OF sadness an he
said
''Iattie, / have found our sister"
''Dora foundl How2 Wherel" cried
Hattie, with more astonishment than plea
sure in her tone.
''GOu sent me 10 her
81 Z ] don't understand what you mean
! sent yOu7"
&''1es; TO the widow, Mrs Cant you
called her-Dant is the name. J went and
found Dora starving-aye, starving 10 death
j feared. One Of her babes was released
from hunger and cold another suffering
fearfully And the poor mother. half
crazed with grief, sat holding the lifeless
form Of the one, and trying 10 keep the
other warm by wrapping her own garment
around 1t and pressing il close 70 her bosom
the dead on one arm, the dying, perhaps,
on the ether.
ooh, don't tell me- Can such things be
No, no, you want 10 frighten me-to pun
ish me for my neglect. Why did she not
send 20 us2n
''Hattie, ] would not trine with you-I
could not my heart is too full Of sorrow
] trust Dora and the two remaining child.
rem can be restored 10 health. OF one I
have doubts, however
ffkAhur 81. Il