The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-01-28
shoulders showing there was Jewish
| blood in her veins.


"What was l to dof" said Mrs. Miller
10 mother. 'A0ur house is q dreadful
place for young girl; but would
sooner work my fingers to the bone than
zee peor Louis child sent to the work
house."
Working her fingers, etc., was a mere
fguree speech Of Mrs. Miller's; her
hands had been aidle for years, and had
found mischief still.
I first saw Esther az she stood in the
doorway one morning, the autumn sun
shine lighting up her glorious beauty.
There Is very little of the infantile in
the faces of Jewish children; like the
young girls of Spain and Italy, they
ripen early, and generally fade before
they are thirty. There was something
strange about little Esther; it was
scarcely shyness, rather reserve; young
as she was she seemed to have had a
bitter experience Of human nature, and
doubted every one she met.
Now and then Esther was sent to our
shop to buy things, and it was thus l
made her acquaintance. Though she soon
took to mother, it was long before she
made friends with me; and even then
there was a shrinking in her manner
toward me, which she seemed unable to
repress.
II am 50 glad you notice Esther" said
Mrs. Miller to mother. "Your society
may undo the harm she is sure to learn
from u.s." &C..
So one winters evening, we invited
Esther to supper. She was very reserved
about her early life, but evidently looked
upon us as friends, and after that night
would come and sit for hours in our
shop, as much at ease as if it had been
her home.
Ahl Esther was tile dream of my life!
I loved her as only boys, who have not
seen the world, can love; and I think she
liked me. For years we were friends. !
used to take her out of Sunday, Far
away from the wicked neighborhood
where we lived; and in the midst of trees
and flowers, with the open sky overhead,
Esther seemed different being; while I
began dreaming dream which | thought
would last for ever.
When l was seventeen, mothers
brother, who had sought his fortune in
Australia, died, and left US little
money. Father had saved, SO we gave
up the shop, and took the little country
house, in which l am now writing. :
1t was our last night in Golden alley;
Esther and !, hand in hand, were walk
ing around the square.
g" "You must never forget me-" I said.
"The first time come to London shall
come and see you. I wish you would
write to me-"
"You forget-I can't write," Esther
answered. .....
"But how shall 1 know how you are
getting on9"
"You will make new friends in the
country, and soon cease to care whether
l get on we'll or not"
'T shall never see any one I like 30
well as you"
For the first and only time I kissed
her; and the next day was far away in
berkshire.
Time went on, father and mother we're
very happy among the friends of their
youth.
I took to study, and made such pro-
gress that wealthy gentleman in the
neighborhood engaged Lie as his private
secretary. There met with refined and
clever people, and soon became quite q
different person from the poor boy who
had sold apples and oranges in Golden
alley. But / never forgot little Esther,
and was longing for chance to 20 to
London and see my darling again.
But / soon had other things to think
about. Father had a lingering illness,
and died within the year. And shortly
after his death, it became necessary for
me to 60 to London about our affairs.
Before went, mother spoke to me of
Esther.
go to her." she said, "and tell her
that if she would like to come that there
is home for her here. She shall be as
my daughter; it is the only way to save
her from the dangers of that fearful
place."
Could I have departed on a more joy
full missioa3
l Iarrived in London on a cold, dark
winters evening; and after engaging a
bed at hotel l went at once to Golden
alley. Few people were out; for drizz-
ling rain was falling, and most un-
friendly wind came rushing round the
corners Golden alley looked Just the
same, though our place was still to let;
the upper windows of the house where
Mrs. Miller lived were full of light as
usual.
As 1 stood there, thinking of old times,
l saw girl, without hat or cloak, rush
from Mrs. Miller's house toward the
square. 1t was Esther. I followed, but
only in time to see her flying figure
hurryihs down the street that led to the
water-side. I overlook her at last, and
caught her by the arm, when she turned
round, and / saw face which was like
the face Of one on the brink of madness.
"Oh, let me 60, whoever you arew she
cried. "For heavens sake, don't take
me back againp
"Estherl" said, "don't you know
mew
There was no look of recognition in