The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-04-05
Casta Diva.

"tlcigh, no." sighs Mr.. Patron, "what
forlorn thing it is to 1.-Two alone and he
drew his easy chair close to the fire and
ensconclng himself therein, wrapped his
trl-colored dressing gown about him. 81
wish l were marriedl l know Il lady,
boards in the same house, too-and be-
lievc she'd have me, ii 1 were To ask her.
mean the pretty music teacher. She is
young, dclicute and aniable only there
seems to be something melancholy about
her, as though she had known sorrow: be-
sides she is a widow. l like her enough,
and believe she likes me. III think this
over. have plenty of money and nobody
10 spend 1t upon. Yes, think will usk
pretty Madame Victor to marry me-"
Rap, rap, rapI
Come in-who's thcre2"
Clean clothes | and pray who are you,
my little cberub, and where do you come
froml'
81 am Lauretta, sir; and | live with
bridget, who washes your cloLhes and she
sent me with the basket tonight"
''Yes, l should think she had, YOU little
duckling; and the basket is bigger than
yourself! Come and SIT down in this char
by tho fire and warm ourtoes-there now.
want TO talk with you. Are you Bridget's
child2'
'Oh, no, sw;" and look of care passed
over the little face.
mo, l thought not Washerwomcn's g
children don't have such eyes, nor such
broad foreheads, nor such soft hair. Vol.
birdie, how came you with Bridget? Have
you no parents2"
Il don't know. l only dream have,
Bridget lets me stay with her because |
can sing. Oh, Sir, sing my songs in great
houses, and they give me six-pcnces and |
carry them all to Bridget"
AHA you pay your board, then Well,
little Laurctta, will you sing for me now2 q:
"4es, indeed; !" and the little one stands
up in the middle of tho rug, and, opening
her rosebud mouth, she sang CaSta Diva.
''Bless my stars. what Il voice! | know
eomcthlng OF music myself; at least enough
TO know that such volcu should bc a for
tune to the one who possesses it. Where
did you learn that3 (" II x
Huroo t~"S,.. .Ae-" ...-. ........
''Nurse? Who is nursc2"
''Nurse ls dead" The dark eyes filled
with tears ana the ruby lips arc quiver-
ing
Mr. Patron walks up ard down the room.
His curiosity is excited as we'll as his pity.
''Please, sir, shall l have my baskeL2
Bridget will scold, if stay 50 long"
''No, little one, will carry the basket
am going home with youl"
sits up five flights of stairs, sir, and
there is no light in The passage way"
'All the more lcason l should 10 with
you. Now am ready. Come, my little
singer, you and will be better acquainted
before long. Don't fall down these stone
steps; keep hold of my hand ; here we arc
in? Broadway. Now where do we turn.
Down Prince street, hey2 and now down
Crosby. What! 10 you live in this allcys
Oh, never fear, little Casta Diva, l shall
tread safely enough, while this little hand
leads me. Ughl how many more flights
are there7 only two9 We'll, well, l can
climb them if you can. 50 is this the
doors"
''Och, and is it you. ,,ir ths; would be
afther coming TO sec poor woman at this
hour2 Win you be seated sir2 said Bridg,-
ct, wiping a wooden chair with her apron
'Nour shirts were not ironed 10 be suiting
ye, may be7" {"
''Shlrls all right, Bridget. l came to
bring home your llltle girl, and to ask you
something about her. She has been sing
ing to ne. Win you tell nio where she
came from?'
"Ye take deal O. trouble for a lone bit
Of child, indeed, sir; but her story is
not 30 very long. She lived with furIin
Woman in the room below, named Theresa,
The woman SAID she was waiting maid IN
Laurettas family, il Italy, somewhere, a, d
while she was out with the child, then
Two years old, for the sake Of the air, there
came big row III the city, and the .child's
father was in the middle of 1t, and got kilt;
and when she reached the house, all in q
fright, sure it was ull On fire, and tho mother
OF IL gone, and niver was she ublc TO find
her at all. SO she kept the child and came
to America with it: tor she heard tell how
the streets were paved with gold; and
when she camo and found nary gold, nol
food but for the working, she had TO 20 tC
work as all we poor cralhers do, and she
took in washing III the one room down
stairs; but never bit would she lot this
child do for herself, but walled on it like @
slave, and only taught it to sing rs iti
mother did before it, she said and last
year Theresa died. This poor little crathcl
took her meself, only I'll be bringing hel
'Nerently entirely; III tachc her tt
"cad at any ra,c; and SO | scnd
day TO sing to tho great folks
help to carry round tn,
III, sirl"
I'd in you Bridget, t,
vou have saved he
" bo rewarded
and droppe'