Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-10-15

street.
 The sun sent it's last ray over the mount ain, the drowsy tinkle of the cow bells echoed through the air, when suddenly my was attracted by an unusual com motion in the street below. A crowd of boys were following in the wake of such creature. She was tall and straight as an Indian, with great masses of black hair falling unconfined over her shoulders. Her clothing was such as was commonly worn by the villagers, but she walked with the air of 8 Princess, and the flowers that adorned her person added 8 look of weird magnifcence. On her head was crown made of the brilliant sumac leaves, and g brooch of the mountain ash berries famed at her throat.
 As the crowd drew nearer pathetic voice could be heard above the laughing of the boys:
 "Don't make SO much noise, 1t hurts my head, and can not hear If he is coming. Listenl don't you hear the sound of wheelsi Surely, oh surely he will come soon."
 There was something so sorrowful in the voice that my eyes filled with tears, and all my own troubles were forgotten when rap summoned me to the door.
 It was the landlady, bearing tray on which was spread so dainty a supper that the very sight revived me, and when she said: sCome, child, you must eat some thing if you mean to be mistress in our old red school-house," no second tnvi- tation was necessary. She added with sigh: "The children nowadays are so thoughtless. Did you see how they were teasing the poor creature who passed here a little while ago?"
 Here was my opportunity, and my fork was laid down preparatory to asking aues- tions, when she seemed to read my G> Not supper before it becomes cold, and Will tell you all about her.
 "Poor Margery. She never seemed to have half chance in this world. Her father was handsome, good-for-nothing fellow, who spent hls time between hunting in the mountains and guzzling atthe tavern, so no one was surprised when he was car ried home one evening with great black hole in his breast. Perhaps l should have said no one but his wife, for, poor thing! she never lost faith in hIm. but when sase saw that hope had gone, she loosensd her feeble grasp on life, kissed her black-eyea baby and closed her eyes forever.
 ''It was quite a question among us what should be done with Margery, as we knew nothing. of her relatives, but we all hated to send the pretty baby to the poor-house. Quite number of us finally agreed to pay a certain sum toward her support until she
 reached an age when she could care for
 herself, but we found it no easy task to ind
 a suitable person who was willing to be
 burdened with the care of so small child.
 Mrs. Hart, widow having several children
 of her own, finally agreed to take charge of
 her, and we knew that she would be with
 those who would at least be kind to her. As
 she grew older her mothers sensitive
 nature showed itself, and the other children,
 mistaking this for feeling of pride, did all
 in their power to render the child's life
 miserable.
 "I shall never forget the look on her
 childish face, when, upon passing our house one of the school children said, tauntingly:
 I'm sure I'd like to know what you've got
 to be proud of, you don't belong to nobody, and have no home of your own.' Tho child was called into the house and we did all in our power to comfort her, but she kept repeating: its true, true; I have no home, nobody to love me, and can't see whyGod ever put me in this world.'
 stMrs. Hart died upon Margery's four
 teenth birthday, end was so set upon talk ing her home that my husband f4ally con- sented. We did all in our power to make her happy, and have her feel that our house was really her home, but she would eone- times say to me: You are good, the best friend in the world, but some day mean to l have home of my very own, and will then l try to repay all your kindness . | nWhen she was sixteen tho war broke out, and our little village, being so near the border line, became the scene of the wild- est excitement. 1t was wonderful what a transformation the child's whole nature
 seemed to undergo. She lost hef timid, shrinking disposition, and you can have ne idea Of her wonderful beauty at that time. Several of the Northern regiments were Stationed near us, and it was not at all sur
 'prising that Colonel MaFSdep, handsome young officer from New Hampshife, spent all his leisure time at our house. My hps,
 band had joined the Union army at the first | outbreak, and as an urgent call came for nurses it seemed my duty to follow him the only drawback was Margefy. Upon speaking to her about staying with nay sis | ter until the close of the war she answered l that they were to be married as soon as the l Colonel obtained 8 furlough, and were | to have home of their own among the New Hampshire hills. sI went to the front and heard so little o1
 :the happenings in onf own valley that was
 totally unprepared for the sad news that
 awaited my return.
 "Upon returning it was my expectation
 to learn that Margery was happily settled | in the home for which she had always