South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1888-03-16

making living for herself ard the
child.
/ Death ia a terrible thing but
there are living deaths which are
infinitely far more tragical more
pathetic than the grass-covered
grave in the green cemetery.
Then came the baby born amid
sears. poverty and disgrace; no
cap-crowned nurse greeted her ad-
vent into the world, not even a
physician, and little Jane aided
and advised by p kind neighbor,
who was even poorer than they,
took the scanty care of the mother
and child which they received.
Tie mother had almost resent
ed the very thought Of another
month to teed another form to
clothe in her restitution bat the
mother love came with the blue
eyed baby, and much as she loved
little Jane, this little one, born amid
such adverse circumstances, crept
into her heart az no other living
thing had ever done, and became
the very idol Of her lonely heart.
Plain print dresses had seemed
good enough for little James baby
hood, bnt white. pure white
eeemed the only suitable wear for
the smiling. golden.haired visitor.
and many u night she sat rp after
her day's toll for others was done,
to wash and iron the one fine white
aud embroidered robe which wac
left of James infant wardrobe, that
her darling might be fresh anG
sweet through the day.
Little Jane shared this idoliz,ng
love for the fair little blossom in the
dingy room, and together they
worked and made sacrifices unccm.
plalningly that the little one might
be shielded from the hardships Of
their lot, while she laughed and
crowed and contributed her share
Of ST nshine to alleviate the sorrows
she knew 80 little Of, until the sick.
ness came, the result of poverty and
privation, branching the cheek and
dinming the blue eyes Of the little
comforter.
1t seemed to the mother that the
wash had never been go large at
Mrs. Chauncey's as she hurried
through the monotonous rub, suds
and rinse, and nothing but the
thought of the money she would re-
ceive, and which che needed so
sorely, upheld her aching heart dur.
ing The anxious day. She was near
lv done now and Mrs. Chauncey
came into the Mushroom; she was
NO, IN a pleasant humor to day.
Her dressmaker had disappointed
her, and Mr.. Chauncey had refused
her the new style sealskin cloak
she had asked him for, on the plea
Of hard times, and she spoke to the
tired aud sorrowing woman coldly
and fretfully: at seems to me. Mrs.
Dunlap, the washing has dragged
unusually to- day
'An' sure, MIN, it's unusually
large, said the cook, who Glanced
to be in the room, pointing to tie
great ba, ket of clothes ready for
the line.
Sac was as near being a privile-
ged character in MIR. Chauncey's
household as any one in it, for her
place could not be easily supplied,
as she we'll knew.
Ts it, indeed" replied Mrs.
Chauncey, coldly. l was not aware
of it. but came in, Mrs. Dunlap.
TO say that | haven't The money to
pay you to-day; you may come on
Friday and do the ironing, and l
will pay you then and she turned
and sailed loftiIy from the room.
Are yees gong to faint, wamanr
cried the cook N alarm. as the poor
mother stood looking after her with
. face from which every vestige OF
color had fed. and bringing a chair,
the kind hearted woman seated her
in it with gentle force.
The kindly touch unlocked tho
fountain of the mothers grief, aud
amid her sobs Of Distress told the
friendly cook the story of her
troubles.
I'll Ind ye the money mesilf,
cried the woman, wiping her eyes
with her apron, her warm Irish heart
responding at once 10 the sad story
she bad bad children herself and
knew the depths Of the mother love.
Put ON your things au' hurry home
as quick as iYer We can, an' I'll hang
the clothes TO dry an clane up the
wash. room Mrs. Dunlap looked
up 10 grateful surprise. An here's
6neJ tat orange | bought for me
sisters little ny, but it'll do the pOor
sick baby more good and sbe tuck
ed the fruit into Mrs. Dunlsp's poe K.
ct as she spoke.
The mother gladly took advantage
of the kino offer, and while she was
; hurrying on her poor, thin shawl and