Connecticut western news., 1883-05-09

1
 "Oh, I didn't mean to make you cry
 boy," he said. "Excuse me, won't you ?
 answering the reproach in the boys bon
 est eyes. "I only meant bit of fun.
 But for a moment the boys grie
 seemel uncomfortable. Then he brok
 out again.
 "She's been sick all summer, an tn
 man in there used to give me flowers sometimes. Sis wouldn't eat or drink
 but she'd shut both hands tight ove them flowers, an hold 'em close to hel breast. She'd get bright a-smellin' O. 'em. Nothin' else would do her any good; an they didn't much, for she's dead. I'd give hundred dollars, if had it, for some of them blue, sweet smellin' ones to put on her now"
 And with an utterly heart broken countenance the boy turned away.
 "Stop a minute" said Lawrie. "Where do you live? Have you father and mother p
 'There is only mother, an Sissy, an me. Fathers dead, and they a'e to bury her to-day" added the boy, chok- ing, evidently with but one thought in his mind.
 Are you very-poor?" Lawrie was about to say, but substituted fbadly off,"
 ''Do you live down there ?'' as the boy turned toward dingy court with an ob- scure entrance.
 ''Just you come an see if ain't tellin you the truth p exclaimed the boy.
 And Lawrie, half unwillingly followed him into basement close at hand
 A bare, dark, dingy place; an emaci- ated woman in rags sitting at the foot of miserable bed, in which lay little dead child-the latter quite unprepared for burial, though the woman started up with the cry:
 "Oh, I thought it was the folks come 1 to take her P
 The young man was certainly much | shocked.
 "When did she die?" he asked the boy, looking at the child.
 She was 8 ve y pretty baby of about two years old, in spite of death and filth. The long, curled lashes lay peacefully on the little, marble cheek, thesilken-golden hair was parted smoothly on the pretty brow, and the tiny hands were locked on the small, pulseless breast; but the dirty garment in which the child died still en- veloped her.
 My poor baby '" sobbed the poor mother; ''she died last night, sir. An I've nothin' white an pretty to put on her, she added ''We are cruel poor, sirl''
 Lawrie quickly drew handful of silver from his pocket, and pressed it into the mothers hand; but before she could thank him two men come into the room, one bearing under his arm little coffin, and the poor woman started up with cry of dismay and anguish.
 "Oh, not yet 2 she cried. ''She only died last night. Why need you take her yet ?"
 "Sorry for yer, ma'am," said one of the men; "but I'll have to attend to this job right off. Business is business"
 The poor woman made no further re- slstance. She stood watching them, and moaning, as they lifted the poor baby and laid the little, lifeless thing straight in it's narrow bed
 "An' l had nothing white an pretty to put on her," she murmured again.
 Lawrie was not ashamed to press his handkerchief to his eyes at the pitifuI sight of the poor child, who had evi- dently died for the want of the neces- saries of life-cleanliness, fresh air and wholesome food; but at the mothers sad murmer, he bent down and laid the white cambric smoothly across the little form.
 ''The violets Where are they ?" he cried
 They had fallen to the floor. The boy bent and put them in his hand, and tear ing off their wrapper Lawrie laid them, in all their fragrance, upon the child's breast And the sight was lovely.
 "God bless you! God bless you. sir p whispered the boy.
 'lts nothing,' said Lawrie, hastily. 'I wish could do more"
 Then he tore himself away, much af- fected.
 *
 "Oh, Lawrie P said pretty Fay. "I am disappointed. You have brought me no violets.''
 "No, said Lawrie.
 He was still in daze from the woefnl sight he had seen, and Fay thought he had forgotten.
 She was little spoiled, this only daughter of doting parents and turned away, pouting.
 To-be-sure there was plenty of smilax ivy and geranium leaves in the bay win dow, and her mother helped to pin knots of them upon the feecy skirt; but Fay was offended
 In the carriage, on their way to Mrs. Harlengen's, he tried to explain, but it was rather an awkward task, and Zay was not disposed to listen.
 She danced all the evening with Cap tain Burgess, who was the only rival Lawrie had ever dreaded, and on their return secuted the subject of the vioets so entirely and treated Lawrie so haught- fly that that young gentleman drowned and held proud peace. In short he and Fay fell out.
 Il don't suppose it a0as just the thing 10 give the violets to those unfortunate