The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1892-03-09
CASHMERE AND SWANS
DOWN.

the students lamp on the eenter-tabl,
shOne brightly through the room, shed
ding their radiance on the gray hair O
Mrs. Hammond as she bent over hel
sewing, and Oh the dark locks Of her sor
Edgar.
Therapid pen, flying over sheet aftel
sheet of paper, pauses and then stops.
Mother I'm tired of workingl How
would you like to 90 to the concert Al
steinway Hall tonight? Miss Ksllog
sings"
q should much prefer staying indoors
this cold evening, my boy; but you 90
You have been working too hard lately
And 50 it was that, an hour later
Edgar found himself in the midst of g
brilliant scene. All the elite Of the city
seemed to have gathered together to vel
come Americas sweet primadonna.
Seated directly il front Of him, Edgar
noticed lady and young girl (evidently
mother and dsughter). The girls face
struck his fancy, and as be listened to the
music he unconsciously studied her pro-
file. Very fair, with tender blue eyes
and soft light hair, and an expression a;
once so innocent and joyous as to cause
one to know that only lovely mind
and disposition could belong to such 8
face.
The elder lady had features very sim
liar, only her eyes and hair were dark
and her expression sad, as though she
had known SORROW. Over the back oi
the young lady's chair was thrown an
elegant carriage cloak Of pale blue cash
mere, lined and trimmed with swans
down. Edgar found himself thinking
how the delicate color Of the dainty wrap
would contrast with the shell pink of the
cheek before him.
The concert was over, and Edgar passed
out with the throng into the bitter cold
air. As be walked along his feet touched
something soft. STOPPING, he found on
the pavement a clark, and taking it under
the gaslight, he saw it was the same he
had noticed in the hall.
His frst impulse was to take it to the
b9x-ofice, and then the thought came
that he would ike to restore it TO the
owner himself, and receive his thank:
from those sweet lips so throwing the
Cloak over his arm, he walked rapidly
on
When still some distance from home
he saw little figure erouching upon the
sidewalk, and heard low, quisering cry
Stopping, he laid his hand on the child's
shoulder, starting ts find a thin calico
garment the only protection from the
piercing wind.
"My child, Why do you cry here in the
cold Why do you not go home ?"
"Oh, sir, l dare not 90 home, Mamma
won't let me-"
why, what have you done? ?"
Il didn't get enough by begging. sir
and indeed Ia rather freeze than GO
home.
Poor child Show me where you live
and / viii see you are allowed to stay"
Edgar kindly lifted her to her feet, and
then thought of the warm cloak over his
arm.
That sweet, kind face he thought
would not frown if she knew to what use
her cloak had been put, he was sure" SC
he wrapped it around the shivering child
and took her hand.
They made 4 strange pair, the hand
some, elegantly dressed young man, and
the poorly clothed little figure, with tear
stained face, and the thin rags showing
underneath the dainty, downirimmed
garment. But there was no one to noticC
save the angels who always see a kind
deed.
They soon reached the squalid habi
tation the child called "hone7 A re
pulsiye looking woman opened the dOol
and looked savagely at the little one, whC
shrank behind her protector. Handing
her some money, Edgar said:
Il found your child in fair way to b
frozen 70 death. wish you would TAX
her in this bitter night. I viii com'
again. /" he said to the child, who evident
ly feared her NANNY" more than th'
cold. "What is your name?H ?H
"Berta."
"You little wretch, that's a lie You
names Molly, and you know =" Seizin.
her, the woman thrust her into the room
Yes" turning to Edgar ~she shall sta!
to night; but she's a gOOd-for-nOthinl
baggage
Edgar told his mother ofthe occurrenc
on his arrival home, and she said:
@Yesit is only one case out Of a thous
and around Us. am glad my son did q
he did, it shows a good, kind heart !" anC
the old lady laid her hand fondly on hi
head.
Edgar, according to his promise, wen
again to the child's home, and his mothe
accompanied him, well laden with warm
comfortable clothing.
The little girl was expecting them he
face was neatly washed. and her darl
hair was combed carefully back from
high. intellectual forehead, while tn
| large eyes fairly seemed to speak, the!
were 50 earnest.
"Can it be possible exclaimed Mn
Hammond, "that so low woman coul'
have such beautiful child!"
That evening Edgar unfolded TO hi
mother plan, and she, when he ha'
finished, delighted him by saying tn
same thought had been in her mind too.
Mrs Hammond was dear, kind, oil
lady. Edgar was her only child, and sh
was wealthy as was he, from the estate
her late husband. Ofall things, as b
grew up, she took most pleasure Il
encouraging his generous, kindly i'm
pulses
So no she entered heart and soul in
20 his plan of taking the neglected chill
and educating her as her own. The onl
trouble would be from the unnsturs
mother; but Edgar declared that none
would soon settle all difficulty there. S
everything was arranged, and the littl
waif was brought to her new home.
For time she seemed bewildered by 5
] ...,.,h ks,Inaru br,t afaar that she bs