St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1882-04-01

Mr. Evans died after long illness; the
farm, which was heavily mortgaged,
passed into the hands of strangers; and
dear, kind Uncle George came home
no more from sea. His ship was
wrecked and all on board per-
ished-so the newspaper said which
was sent to Mrs. Evans, after two years
of suspense. Dolly was eleven years
old now, a grave. womanly, but beautl--
full little girl, with large dark eyes and
an exquisite]y fair complexion. VIII
was sturdy boy of nine, jolly in spite
of the adversely, and Nell was bright
eyed little fairy of seven. Mrs. Evans
moved, with her little family, to the
city, where she managed to earn enough
to sustain life by her needle, but her
health failed in this occupation, and
having always been accustomed to
breathe the pure free air of the country,
the stifled, smoky atmosphere OF the
city was like poison to her lungs. Fhe
doctor advised her to move into some
surrounding town, and find different
employment. And after while she
decided to 60 to Dandy, brisk little
village, where she could find employ
menu III lnc factories.
Just on the borders Of the village
there were green fields with daisies and
butter-cups tossing in them, and the
river came rushing down from the city,
bearing sails on its breast which made
the place more pleasant and bright,
and it brought breath of GOODNESS,
too. Here they hired little cot
tage, and for a while all went compare
lively well. Mrs. Evans grew strong
again, and earned much more in the
factory than she had earned by plain
sewing. The children grew plump and
rosy once more, and went merrlly to
school. ..... ... ...5..4
The peal of the organ was still heard
within their little home for a good part
of the day. and the children of the
neighborhood were as much interested
in it as the farmhouse children had
been when it was first presented to
Dollie. The parrot, who had grown
very old, and was crosser than ever,
still shouted: ''Polly wants quiet, keep
still, keep still!' and old Rob, the dog,
who had been with them through all
their misfortunes, still seemed to enjoy
its music as if it were the very voice OF
home.
But the work in the mill was too hard
for a delicate woman like Mrs. Evans,
and the end of the year found the fam
lily in sorrier condition than ever.
The poor mother was i'll in bed. The
last penny was gone from the purse,
there wasn't mouthful of food in the
closet, and the rent of the little cottage
had been due for nearly two weeks.
Poor Dollie, VINO was twelve years
old now, felt a great responsibility on
her shoulders, and did not know which
way to turn. She felt that she was able
to do a great deal Of work, but no one
would hire her because she was too little.
She did manage to earn a few pennies
every day, by taking care Of Mrs. Cart
er's baby, while she went to the mill
to carry her husbands dinner, and
these pennies she had expended to-
day in a bit of oatmeal and milk for
mamma; and now Nell was crying with
hunger, and Will, who had been out in
search Of errands to do, came home
with empty hands and very doleful
little face, for him. Rob, who had been
favored with nice bone by the butcher,
who came round in cart, was the only
one of the family who did not seem de-
jected. Even the old parrot seemed to
feel that she was passing through seri-
Gus times, and was silent and notion
less upon her perch.
"What shall we do, WHIP" said
Dollie, clasping her hands tightly to-
gether. "The doctor said mamma
must have broth and a plenty of nutri-
tious food, andwe can't starve ourselves
VIII shook his curly head dismally.
81 could pick up shavings,' said he,
" only they have fell clear down, so you
can't get anything for 'em even if folks
would buy 'em at all.
e Fallen, you mean,'' said correct
Dollie, whom distress of mind did not
render less fastidious. 'sThere must
be something that we can do to earn
little money. We must have money,
Will, and that at once. We haven had
any dinner, we had only crust for
breakfast, and we shall have no supper"
Suddenly a bright thought struck her
as her eye CHANGED to fall on the hand
organ. ....
30! 1 tell, you what we will do,
WILL" said she "We'll take the hand
organ and 90 round with it as the men
do. Don't you know what stir it
makes about the mills when an organ
grinder comes out from the city? and I
haven't seen but one this summer
"How can we carry itp" said Will.
It's awful heavy. and l haven't any
straps to strap it on to my back like the !.
men do"
why can't we wheel it in your
said she, after mo-
ment's thought.
"Jolly, SO we canr' said Will. Let's
60 right off, Dolly. You can play, and
| will pass round the hat
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