Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1883-03-08
LOLA's F0UR.LEAyED CLOVER.


Lola Maurice stood shivering ant
oisconsolate ut the window Of tn,
poor little sittiDg-room, looking out al
passers by on Clinton street, who
found IL hard to keep their footing
upon the smooth, icy sidewalk. Two
stunted. scraggy fir trees In the front
yard glittered in their coat of ice and
sleet, as IL hung with diamond pend
ants; fair pictures by the artist, Jack
Frost, were traced everywhere.
Lola Maurice, this drear, dark win.
ter day, knew not where 10 look for
bread for her mother and self. The
coal was low, the iiour-barrel empty,
and she had used the last bit Of butter
for her mothers dry toast, and ther,
was no money toget more.
Only yesterday lowering & Bro
had given her warning that her ser
vices were no longer needed ut their
trade palace, and real poverty stared
her In the face. For herself she did
not care, but her nervous, delicate
mother was so III fitted 10 endure
hardships; how could she tell her of
her discharge, and thoir empty lard
er.
"Why, Lola, you have let the room
get so chilly--and what "a poor break
fast!' said Mrs. Maurice. n fretfu-I6ok-
ing invalid of forty years of age, who
entered the room wrapped in a scarlet
shawl.
The tears came into Lola's brown
eyes as she gently answered her moth
cr's complainings and told her Of her
troubles
"Oh, Lola, moaned the lady. what
will become of us? And only think
this time last winter we were at the
best hotel In New Orleans. II your
poor father had only lived, we should
not now be 80 poor.n And Mrs.
Maurice went back to the little, dark
bedroom, and headache.
Lola did indeed remember that win
ter ut New Orleans. One year ago to-
day her grave, handsome father kissed
her good-inorning, babe her black
nanny not to allow any one to dis
turb the lnte slumber of his delicate,
fanciful wife; I'm less than an hour he
was brought back, the brown eyes
closed. the heart stilled; the loving
father was forever at rest.
Lola comforted the griefstricken
wife M best she could upon their sad
Journey to lay the husband and father
III the family resting place in their
eastern home; and when IL proved to
he true that Mr.. Maurice had left moth
ing save n small honse in western
town, Lola bravely left their elegant
New Hampshire home and went To
work IN the 'trnde palace to earn
their daily bread und brighten up
their queer little house.
Buou sang In vain In his tiny cage
ms sweetest notes; his mistress contn-
ued her sad revery. The day wore on;
one, two O'Clock came No dinner was
eaten there was little to cook, and
Mrs. Maurice was too i'll to eat. A
storm of snow was falling fast and
furious, dark clouds had gathered.
Lola went TO n little stand OF flowers
that bravely held up their heads in
spite of the gloom.
Bloom on, you treasures; YOU cannot
know the sorrows of human hearts.
Yet feel as If you comforted mc.n
And she parted the sprays of n luxu-
rant hcliotrope oh oh !" she cx-
claimed in an excited tone.
Mrs. Maurice heard her, and came
INTO the room. Just see here, mann
ma Three four-leaved clovers! Old
Nurse Elsie used to tell me that to find
them brought good luck dear lit
tie shamrocks! | mean TO accept
them as harbingers Of better times,n
aud she kissed the talisman. Nov
for my wish, mamma; first, that |
may get work; second, that you may
get vol third that, we'll, shall
leave the good fairies To bring the
third. Cheer up mnmsie dearr And
Lola tried to affect II gayety she did
mot feel,
AtS Lola was started by summons
tn |. q 4. 4.
from the great lady of the town, Mrs.
taste IN ilornl arrangements at the last
mir Would she come and oversee The
decorations for large dinner party
next daysn
She hastily donned Waterproof and
rubbers, and was soon ut work fash
loning baskets, wreatlls, crosses, and
bonnets of the bright flowers and smi-
lnN. She sang gayiy in her task, for
she dearly loved the beauties A ftcr
her work was finished Mrs. Glendale
paid her literally, then said, Miss
Maurice, an old gentleman wishes to
hear you sing" and before she could
collect her thoughts, She was seated ut
the grand piano, and n stately old gem
tlcman bending over her
AZ iirst the voice was faint and
weak, but SHE thought of father
and how he loved hear his song
bird !" then she sang earnestly and
simply, Annie Laura AUD Robin
Gray, and "Auld Lang Syne.n
Gould you teach my little grand
daughters 20 sing like thate | want
them TO learn the simple, old-mshion-
ed songs NJ well as the modern music.
Gould you SO homo with us TO New
Orleaus@n
"Oh, sir, | can not leave my mother.
Father is dead, and am all SHE has.
Last winter we We're in New Orleans.
Father died there
"Hos, Miss Lola, | knew your
father ] helped carry him to your
hotel when he died have lost wife
and daughter since then, from tnat
dreaded scourge, yellow fever. BE To
my orphan granddaughter an elIer
sister l will see your mother to-
morrow
Lola ran home TO tell her mother
the great news, aud found that lady
dressed and greatly excited.
only think, Lola, the postman
brought us a letter from an old friend,
who says he owes us something, and
has sent Us n check for 5000 | am SO
glad you do not need to 20 back to
coverings. And here Is recall from
there, saying your discharge was a
mistake.
,,\Fna \ 49,, t.a -. =,