St. Landry democrat., 1889-11-09
STELLA.

STELLA.
1t was wet. stormy evening. The wind
howled round the chimneys in the town OF
Trondiem and over the old cathedral, as ii
had howled an hour earlier among the
pine trees of the great Norwegian noun
tains, before sweeping away southwards
to fill the sails of the fishing boats in the
North sea. 1t sounded very desolate and
cruel in the ears of little Stella Brand, as
she sat by her mothers bedside in dreary
attic room, hungry and miserable.
Mrs. Brand was German, whose hus-
band had made his home in this northern
city two years before: but his death had
left her, a stranger, unknown and poor, to
support herself and her only child as best
she could. Up to this time she had strug
gled on bravely, but severe illness had
laid her on her couch for weeks, and now,
on this chill August day, things seemed to
have come to their worst. The last penny
was spent; and tomorrow the rent would
be due, and the landlord was hard man,
who refused to wait for his money.
eff we have not three kroner by to-
morrow" sighed the poor woman, 1--WE
shall be turned out of our poor little home,
and then what will become of my Stella ?"
"Mother," said the little girl, suddenly,
II know how to get a little money. May
go out for an hour or two if leave Hou
comfortable2"
"In this rain, child, and on such dark
night? What have you got into your fool
ish head now2"
'It's secret, mother, that I have just
thought of. Do let me 60. I'm certain
can earn some money, and l will come
back as soon as | can."
Mrs. Brand was too i'll to oppose the
child, so Stella, after turning the pillow
and placing cup of water within the
reach of the invalid, put on shawl and
hat, took up basket, and went out into
the stormy night.
She went first to shop where flowers
were sold and begged so prettily for a
bunch of waste sprays that were not fresh
enough to be put up for sale again, that
the florist could not refuse to give her
some indeed, after asking few questions
of the timid, blue-eyed maid, he added
several fresh blossoms, and gave her wire
to bind them into bouquets. With her
basket thus filled, Stella found her way
down to the harbor.
Moored close to the quay, on that August
evening when little Stella wandered off to
the waters edge, lay large steam yacht
from Scotland, and on deck, sheltered from
the rain by an awning of canvas. the pas
sengers were dancing merrily to the sound
of band. Colored lanterns, hung from
the rigging, shed gay patches of light over
the scene, and in general merriment the
miserable weather was almost forgotten.
At last the music ceased and the dancers
paused to rest for few minutes.
Just when all was still, voice rose on
the quiet air in clear childish tones q
plaintive Norwegian ballad, sad though
sweet, such as may often be heard sung by
dwellers in mountain lands. Every one
listened attentively. 1t was like the voice
of bird, swelling and thrilling as it
gained confidence, and rising high on the
wind which swept in sudden gusts above
the vessel. The song ceased abruptly, and
there N..s a moments silence. Then a
clapping of hands and a cry of "More,
more" encouraged Stella, for it was she,
to sing again.
This time she chose German song. one
of those that her mother had taught her in
her dear native country, and the thoughts
that came into her mind as she sang lent a
Geep meaning to the words. It seemed no
longer child who stood there, but little
woman, earnest with cares beyond her
years all her heart came forth in the mu-
sic. Stella had never before sung to so
many people, and the effort tried her
almost beyond her powers. In the last
verse she could not keep back Der tears,
and though she made brave attempt to
sing to the end, it was too much her voice
quavered, broke, and the song finished in a
burst of sobs. But she had done enough.
Kind arms came about her; gentle hands
dried the flowing tears, and while she told,
shyly and faltering, her sad story, col
lection was made by the passengers in her
behalf. Then the gentlemen began to buy
her pretty "button- holes" and in ten min
utes all the flowers were sold, and into the
empty basket was pouring more money
than little Stella had ever possessed before
in her life.
As the chimes were ringing out the heur
of nine over the city, an English sailor
brought the child safely to her mother s
door, and great was the delight and un-
bounded the gratitude of poor Mrs Brand
on finding that her brave little daughter
had earned nearly ten kroner (about twelve
shillings) by singing on board the st. Sun.
niva.
Stella Brand succeeded in doing what
she wished to do, because she was really
in earnest about it. There is an old pro-
verb which says, "God helps those who help
themselves" He helped Stella by putting
into her heart the thought that proved SO
successful, and as he never forsakes those
who try to do right and trust in Him, you
may be sure that He will not forget our
little heroine SteIla.-He6reao Journal.