Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1880-11-25
"And yet once we used to have them for
dessert every day.
"Then vnn haven't ALWAYS been Door

"Then YOU haven't always been poor j
"Oh, no, no, sir! Before papa failed "
were very rich, Sister says it's all right, ou
losing everything as we did; but-but
seems to me it's all wrong. Oh it's awtu
hard, sir, to be poor, and have to eat brea
and potatoes.
Awful hard! Yes, I should say 80! Sc
here, my-what's your name?"
civilian, sir"
"Well, Willie, if you're in no hurry, an
will stay and dine with me, l will treat yo
to something better than bread and potatoes.
"Thank YOU, sir; but I must take tn
oranges to my brother first, and then, If SIS
ter is willing, will come back. 1 think sh
will be, too, for she cries almost every da
because she can't give me something bette
to eat"
And he reached for his cap.
II will go with you and select the fruit !;
and the two descended the stairs, and passet
out on the thronged pavement. A few pace
brought them to a shop, and Willie's eye
rested longingly on the boxes of grapes, ant
baskets of pears and peaches, and the Pyra
midal piles of golden, crimson, and russo
brown apples.
Taking brown paper bag, Ralph Bel
mont placed in it dozen of the fines
oranges, and on the top laid carefully heavy
cluster of grapes then, turning to fiowe
girl, who stood near, he bought fragran
and beautiful nosegay, and handed the whole
to Willie, who had watched his proceeding
with dilated eyes.
"This for me-for me to take homeland
I didn't earn but shilling?"
Eyes, my little man. And run home
quickly, for 7 have just thought of another
errand for you to do after we have had oul
dinner" And he turned away abruptly.
Had Willie's feet been winged, he coulc
scarcely have reached home sooner than ht
did. For once he had forgotten his usua
caution, aud bounded up stairs, and into hi
sisters room, after the fashion of boys il
general.
"See, see !" he exclaimed see what I have
earned for Alfred and you! The fruit is fol
him, and the flowers for you. And Lille
mayn't 60 and dine with the gentleman
who paid mef'
"Dine with the gentleman Are you crazy
Willie? And his sister dropped her work il
amazement. "What do you mean? Take
time to breathe, and tell me how you came
by this fruit You haven't been telling any
one of our troubles ?"
And her cheeks famed, for she was not yet
hardened to her poverty, and the pride o.
other days still stung her sorely at times
"Told! Do you mean I've begged ?" And
the boys eyes disclaimed the idea more elo
quently than his tones. "No!" And he
managed between his gasps for a long breath
to tell the truth. "And you'll let me 60
Lille, won't you? Think how long it is
since I've had real dinner; then it'll be
such saving because shall not want any
supper or breakfast. Do say | may go!
She hesitated awhile, and then consented
thinking it was but some eccentric rich mans
whim, and hardly wondering that her little
brothers fair, bright countenance should so
soon have won him generous friend.
His face and hands were again washed and
his hair brushed, his clothes busted (he had
but one 4suit) land fresh collar pinned on.
Thep, with a kiss, he danced away, and was
soon again in the travellers sitting-room.
Dinner was served in a few moments, and
as Ralph Belmont watched the zest with
which the boy discussed the luxurious viands
he said to himself:
81 shall never forget this good deed, wheth'
er it be he or not, for the youngster was
half starved on his dry fare
And again he heaped the plate of his little
visitor.
Are you sure you've had enough, now !!
he asked kindly, as they rose from their
seats.
ooh! yes, sir-yes, sir! I shan't want to
eat again before the day after tomorrow and
just think what saving that'll be to sister
Oh | should like to run on errands all the
time if every body were like you! What
shall do now?"
"Nothing just now. I am going out by.
and-by to hunt up some old friends and, as
| am almost an entire stranger here, should
like to have you to show me about the street
a little. Sit down by me while tell you a
little of my story"
And he mo.ioned the boy to the sofa, and
then sank into an arm chair. But he did
not speak at once. He seemed buried in
deep thought-thought that carried him far
back into the past.
Finally he began, abruptly:
Il was engaged to be married once to a
very beautiful girl, whom loved with my
whole soul. Our bridal day was appointed
and everything in readiness, when suddenly
there came news of her fathers failure. He
fell from afluence to poverty in the twinkling
of an eye. would have had the wedding
proceed, as agreed upon, but-and he ground
his teeth for IN instant-"I was forbidden
by my father to take portionless bride un.
der penalty Of his curse, and-and my dar.
ling would not marry me under my fathers
malediction hanging over my head. So we
parted-I to travel with my parents in other
lands, and she to begin the hard, hard life
of toll. About two years after we left
England my mother died, blessing me with
her last breath for my 6lial care. A year ago
my father passed away, and-and he, too
blessed me, and in that dying hour revoked
his curse and -hado oool.- G--s,
only love, and marry her."
He stopped here as abruptly as he had
commenced, and leaving his seat, strobe to
the window, and seemed to be looking upon
the crowded street and listening to its sounds
but could the boy have seen the travellers
eyes he would have noted that introverted
look which passes by the present scenes, and
is lost in the far off past, while his ear heard
not the medley of the hour, but the rich
strains of his darling's voice as it sang te
him in the days gone by.
Turning, at length, he said softly:
81 came back to my native land, Willie, tt
find her-came back as fast as the winds anc
waves could bear me. But she is gone from
the place where she used to live-she ant
the two whom death has spared her-for he
father and mother soon passed away-gone
and [ cannot find her.!