Sacramento daily record-union., 1883-11-03

time Charlie was out late and early In
search of his vocation. Hard work he had
finding it, too-a man does not stumble
over one every day. But it came to him
at last in the shape of copyists place.
which brought him about dollar and
half per diem. A poor beginning; but
something better would turn up. Like
Mr. Micawber, he waited.
Then we advertised for dodgers to occupy
our two spare rooms. A week went by
without single applicant after that they
began to pour in by dozens. There was
not an hour in the day in which we were
free from intrusion For day $ in succession
could not ge. time to eat my meals IN
peace-yet the rooms were not taken. At
the end of three weeks my stairway carpet
was growing threadbare, and my very soul
was sick with despair. We thought OF
giving up the brick and hunting cheaper
quarters, when good fortune favored US in
the person of Mrs. Colonel Hargrave, who
drove down in her elegant carriage to look
at the rooms. For fifteen minutes, per-
haps, she trailed her silk and cashmere up
and down, and then she pronounced them
charming. OF course she would engage
them-the rent was mere song. And she
moved down her effects on the following
day, including the Colonel, a large tine-
looking man, with military Whiskers, who
paid down half months board in ad-
vance.
Charlie and l were wondrously elated.
1t argued well for our future success to
have such stylish persons in our house.
And then the Colonel promised to do go
much for us-Charlie was to have lucra-
tive office at once. Bat for some reason or
other it was not secured; and the summer
days wore on, and poor Charlie stall held
his old place, while l superintended the
cooking and made mocha and mixed ices
for Mrs. Hargrave. She was an extremely
fascinating woman, and she and got to be
friends. She embroidered pianafores for
baby, and would have me accompany her
to the opera, and even forced two or three
costly presents upon me. Two sisters were
never more intimate-we even wore each
others apparel; and when we had private
theatricals, and she played Juliet to Charlie
as Romeo, she borrowed my diamonds and
dazzled the assembly with her regal beauty.
Ny precious diamonds-what store l set
by them There was not such another set
in the city, Mrs. Hargrave said, when she
brought them down the morning after the
heAtricals.
August came the streets ankle deep in
dust, the sky like brass. Baby was seri-
ously i'll her little dimpled face was
wasted to mere shadow. The doctor ad-
vised US to take her back to the country,
but we were deep in debt, and Colonel
Hargrave had not paid another cent to-
ward his board. At Charles suggestion
ventured weak expostulation. If she
could only pay US part-our expenses were
so heavy Mrs. Hargrave laid down her
novel and shook out the folds of her linen
cambria wrapper.
"Certainly, my dear Why in the
world didn't you remind me before ?" smil-
ing blandly through her blonde curls.
1.-The Colonel is such a neglectful man !;
tomorrow, and attend to the matter at
once."
1 got up an extra dinner on the strength
of her promise, and in the afternoon
went out to make few purchases prepara-
tory to taking the baby to the country.
Ga my return found the house deserted
my rooms forlorn and empty. Colonel Har.
grave and his wife had been suddenly sum-
moned away. l was bitterly disappointed
and a little apprehensive but Charlie
laughed at my fears. OF course they
would forward the money next day The
morrow brought other scenes, but not the
expected money. Baby was alarmingly i'll,
and by noon our house was full of bailiffs.
There was a claim on the furniture, they
said, prior to our purchase. Charlie
stormed and expostulated by turns; but in
vain. They felt for us, but there was no
help for tit had to go. Sunset found
our three-story brick cleaned out-not an
article left but the little wicker-co on
which baby lay. Charlie and l stood over
her in silence and somehow, Just then,
while the pitiless light glared through the
curtainless windows into the bare rooms
vision of our old life at Walnut Hill-the
cozy chamber-the blazing wood-fre-the
happy evening hours, swept before US.
Cnarhe groaned aloud and l burst into
tears. That night l wrote to grandfather
and the following day brought his re-
sponse. Come back to Walnut Hill, he
said and nothing more. 1t was like him.
But how could we?
Baby grew worse and on the second day
after our effects were taken she died-our
little Rosa, our first born babe. Charlie
paid his last dollar for tiny coffin, and
we put her in it; and there she laid all
alone IN the great, lonesome house, the old
maple-tree singing or rustling lullaby be.
meath the window. Charlie and l watched
beside her, looking into each others eyes
in silent agony. We had not even means
to bury our dead.
"Sell the diamondp, Charlie, 1 said al
last.
He caught at the suggestion eagerly.
" Yes, sell them, Belle, and wen take
her back to Walnut Hill !; twill kill me tC
leave her here"
/ brought out the ld.fashioned caske'
and he hurried away. Half an hour brought
| him back with face like death.
my God, Bale they are worthless
They've been changed are only
paste 7"
For an instant / was stunned then
swift thought shot through my mind.
remembered the private theatricals, anC
Mrs. Colonel Hargrave. But said moth
ing, only, the clasps and settings ar,
worth something-sell them"
He departed to do my bidding.
After awhile he returned and grand
| father with MIN the evening tram haC
brought him in. He glanced around th
rooms and then his gaze rested upon tn
rosewood casket. His features worked TO
a moment, and he struggled as if to sup
press some strong feeling Then he said
sternly, pointing toward the tiny case
"It's your own work take her up and lie
US go %
We obeyed him without word. In tn
waning Summer glory we buried our dsrl
ing at the old home place, beneath tn
great walnut trees, where the golden leave
rustic and drift above her and the bird
weave tender melodies through all tn
many days and then we went back to GU
old life and labor.
We earn our bread with the sweat of on
brow now, and eat it with thankful hearts
Charlie has found his vocation. Il Emm
G.. Jones.
STRANGE BgAUrrF. ING. There was rt
Gently brought here for exhibition ban
/ fas-s nf