Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1889-05-29
cared, and Nellie was alone at the fire.

She did not weep; the kind of sorrow
that does not bring tears is the most
painful. She looked at her past life as
one would look at labor badly done, a
work imperfect. 1t was on a winters
day like this that her dying mother,
carrying her in her arms, was taken in
at the poorhouse. The only word
that unfortunate woman pronounced
was q name: "Melie." Was it her
own or that of the little child, then
three years old? Who cared? The
child was called Nellie; they buried the
mother. and that was all.
One Jacques, no longer young, took the
little creature when she was seven, who
until then had been taken care of by
first one and then another OF the vii
layers, and he had advanced her to the
grade of servant. Servant, for a child
who was only beggar! What for
| tune And Nellie thanked the old man
| for having raised her to that dignity.
Small, but already intelligent and do
| Gle, she had served him as well as her
strength would allow, often more than
| she misunderstanding no other salary
than her support.
| The old man was rude and rough, and
often he spoke more harshly than he
| had right to, but he never struck the
| little orphan, kept back, perhaps, by a
vague respect for her misfortune, which
| had no protection.
The life of Nellie had been passed in
this cabin, between the COWS and the
chickens, without joy, without hope,
| without dream of the future. OF what
could she dream? Jean had noticed
her one day, then courted her-chose
Ter for the dance of st. jeans. 1t was
there that the heart of the young girl
had fret fho Y,y.idn Of kninr
loved, and the humble Joy of loving in
return.
She did not like the old man; she
feared him. She had loved the little
calves and chickens; but all these little
ones that she had raised herself disap-
peared in the wagon which carried the
other products of the farm to town.
The foundlings never had friends of
their own age; the parents took good
care of that. One could never tell what
it might lead to AS if it were neces-
sary to be born well to merit little
tenderness.
Jean loved her. He preferred her to
others. She felt her poor little heart
expand with gratitude at the idea that
he, the handsomest and best of the vii
lage, should not disdain her, found
ling. She loved him with all her heart,
for she tasted for the first time of the
sweetness of love. Now he would mar
ry. He had had enough of her! But
not yet enough meanwhile he would
dare Remembering his insult, she
trembled with anger and shame, cover
ing her dry eyes and burning forehead
with her hands.
He had never loved her, that was
clear. While she had dreamed of sac
rifcing her life for him, striving for i'm
hi AL g 10 L. - l. L.,
ieet, he had thought of her only as
pastime, to amuse himself until his
marriage.
A great bitterness entered the heart
of this young girl, to whom no one had
taught resignation, and who revolted
against this injustice.
Anger and bitterness would be her
companions for each future hour.
Nothing is more cruel to an innocent
heart than TO feel suddenly bad senti-
ments pierce it. These bitter thoughts
are harder to bear than the evil which
called them forth. Helas What can
becomes wicked. Poverty is accom-
panied by much suffering.
While Nellie was thinking thus the
door opened, and old Jacques entered
covered with snow. He shook himself
on the threshold, and came in without
a single kind word for her who had
guarded the fire.
"Eh, bien !" said he, ''the COW ?"
"She is no BETTER" said Nellie, me-
chanically.
81 will go and see her." grumbled
Jacques as he went out.
Nellie had resumed her meditation;
she thought of vengeance; she frowned;
her hands trembled with inexpressible
anger.
''She is dead ~ cried Jacques, knock
ing his stick on the door-stone: "she is
cold, and you, you miserable good-for-
nothing, you did not even 60 to her"
II did go, MASTER" replied Nellie,
leaving her place; II thought that moth
ing could be done, and | did not go
again"
You lie," cried the old man, stam-
mering with rage; "you did not put
your loot outside! You fear the cold; ;
you are as delicate as princess, and you
stay inside and keep your feet warm"
He drew near the garden door. and
he perceived the traces of footsteps,
which the snow had not had time to
cover. The weather had cleared a lit
tie and the white flakes had ceased to
fall
''See here" said he, pale with anger,
there is the reason why you did not
take care of the animal, why you did
not fulfill your task. Mademoiselle has
a lover that comes to see her, and
makes plans instead of WORKING low
er a lover for Nellie What unfor-
tunate one abandoned by all could
court this beautiful young lady?"
Nellie smiled bitterly, and crossing
her arms waited until Jacques anger
could exhaust itself.
"A lover for founding A miser-
able girl that had the kindness to take
in, and who has aided me in nothing !
Since you have been with me all trou-
BILE has come upon me! Formerly
was rich and could save money; now
money goes one knows not how. You
brought me misfortune, bird of ill
omen | shall send you away; shall
put you in the street, where took you
from, and where [ should have lett you.
How stupi i | was that day !"
The clear voice of Nellie raised itself
ABOVE the angry tones of the old man.
II brought you misfortune master, it
may be, but it was not my fault. l have
done the best could, and have asked
for nothing in return. If I bring you