Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-01-23
NORAH'S NEW YEAR.

all the world seemed to have forgotten care
and taken a holiday. But not So There
were sad faces amid the merry ones the
poor and wretched jostled against the gay
and happy and this life picture, like all
others. had It's dark background.
Looking in at the brightly lighted win
dow OF confectioner's stood little girl,
her face blue with cold and hunger, her
eyes wistful and pathetic. She had OH a
light calico dress, shoes that were too large
for her, and a strange kind Of garment
half shawl, half cloak-so worn and
patched tfat one could not tell its original
shape or color Her age was not over OF
TO- yet she seemed more like little old
woman than a child. There was an air of
wisdom IN the way she turned her head,
and wFinkled up her forehead and pressed
her lips together, as she gazed at the con
fectioner's candies and cakes as if she
thought them all very pretty, but at the
same time rather unsubstantial. Once or
twice the child nature showed itself in her
eyes, but it was quickly followed by an ex-
preston OF gravity and sorrow touching in
one SO young.
Finally she turned away with a sigh
and at that instant the confectioner's door
opened, and a lady richly dressed, came
out. Something in the childs face or look
attracted der attention. She stopped.
drew the shivering little figure towards the
light, and scanned it curiously.
What Is your name, dear she asked
kindly.
"Norah,' was the answer, given in a
low voice, and with look of wonder at
the questioner.
"Norah I" echoed the lady, turning pale
''Norah what ?"
mora Brady, ma am"
"Oh!" and an expression. partly of
relief partly OF disappointment, swept
over the listeners face. Then she slipped
some money into the child's hand, and
whispered, Spend it as you please, dear
1t is a New Years gift"
Norahs cheeks flushed, and she drew
back little proudly.
g cannot take il, ma'am, she answered
in even, steady tones; papa would be
angry if did"
Angry that you accept a gift! Why
se?7
Because we're poor. and when people
give us things he says it's out of charity"
But is that any reason for refusing
them Pr
Yes, papa and l are Independent, and
had rather earn our own money"
The little figure Strengthened itself with
an air of dignity almost womanly.
You are strange child" was the re-
ply, and the lady looked interested and
amused. Tell me where you live"
The street and number were named,
and then Norah raised her honest blue eyes
and said softly, Please don't think me
ungratefCl, ma lam. You are very kind
indeed. Only that papa has seen better
days and that it hurts him so now to be
poor, / might perhaps keep it And she
handed back the money, with a wistful
glance that spoke volumes.
- Have you mother, DEAR" questioned
the other.
The blue eyes filled with tears. No,
ma am" she answered, in quivering voice.
Mamma died three years ago"
Why was it that a throb of pain stirred
the listeners heart az these words? What
was Norah's mother to her? She felt drawn
towards the child, she hardly knew why
drawn, to, toward the dead mother and the
strange, proud father. Norah's eyes,
Norah's name, were like those of little
sister She had loved and lost-not by death
but by a separation. She had never for
gotten it, and tonight the memory of that
olden time softened her heart and made
her pitiful towards the grief of others. But
all this while her carriage stood waiting,
with white-haired old gentleman inside,
and the coachnan impatiently stamping
his feet.
u must leave you" She whispered to
Norah at last, longing to clasp the little
figure to her breast - shall come and
see you soon, may | not?" Then, seeing
that the child hesitated TO reply, she added,
Are you afraid papa viii object? Tell
him charity has nothing to do with it, but
that it is for my own sake, and because you
remind me of some one | loved years ago,
that | wish TO come.
Norah was a hospitable little soul, and
the beautiful lady had completely won her
heart Papa will be glad to see you, y
she said simply and /, too
Thank you, dear" Then, moved by a
sudden impulse, the lady stopped down
and kissed her. The coachman looked on,
rubbed his eyes, and thought that perhaps
Norah was some little princess in disguise
So she was, and by n right more royal than
that of blood or money.
What child was that" questioned the
white-haired old gentleman as the lady
took her seat IN the carriage and babe the
cuachman drive on. "Some beggar whose
tale of distress touched your sympathy ?n
He looked at her fondly, and in manner
that showed that she was the one woman
of the world to him.
Not a beggar." and the lady smiled
and told how Norah had refused the
money.
But the child interested me strangely.
She had eyes like those of the little Norah
! left in Ireland, and for a minute had a
faint hope that my search was at last ended.
But her fathers name is Brady
And yours was 0Connell, said the
gentleman. And it was not here, but to
France that he migrated
L know" and a touch of impotence
came into her voice. 1t was but for a
minute, as ! said Afterwards / understood
how impossible it was" She sighed bit
terly and went on / wonder if this is to
be the punishment for my folly-that
am never to know the fate of those / de-
serted? ''
That girlish folly, as you call it. dear
wife, has been expiated long SINCE was
the answer. Let the dead past bury its
dead. Do not make yourself miserable by
raking up its ashes"
u am not unhappy she said, softly.
Why should be? Every wish is graft
fled save one--that OF a reconciliation with
my parents, and perhaps it is right this
should be denied me-"
Has it never occurred to you that they
may he dead ?" asked the gentleman, look
ing at her compassionately.
Many tines she answered. But
cannot myself believe it. Something
seem to tell me that they are living and in
want"
oh, that is because the agent we sent
over to Ireland told us your father had
lost his property. You would naturally
think of him as poor after that
Yes, and when pride is joined to pow
e-ty the struggle is the harder Father wa:
a strange man; stern, and naughty, an6
obstinate; bat under harsh exterior bic
one of the warmest hearts that ever beat
1 can understand why he left Ireland Sc
suddenly, and covered up all traces of his
fight, lest those who lad known him il
prosperity should witness his humiliation
He could not have borne that; it would
have been the added drop of bitterness;
that would have choked him. But mother
was different; so meek and gentle, and wa:
the only person living who knew how tc
manage him. Everyone else was sure &c
see the worse side of his nature"
"Ah, yes You have told me of her be.
fore. But cannot understand, Kate, why
she never answered your letters. You were