The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1909-12-09
AN ORPHAN GIRL.
A Composition Composed and Writ.
ten by BeauIah 0ooch, of Vance
County, Aged II Years. and Read
Before Her School Nov. 10th.
Published by Request

Published by Request.
"Have pity, my dear friends, on a
penniless orphan girl"
On a warm September day there
came a great trouble to a little snug
home.
When the little mother, being very
industrious, rose from her slumber,
early in the morning and began
cooking breakfast, and soon COM
pleting it, went to awake her hus-
band and daughter, but when she
approached the bed where he was
lying, she found that he was beyond
waking; for he had paid that desper-
ate debt, that all OF US have to pay.
On the following day, they laid him
to rest, leaving his wife, daughter
and friends to mourn his death; but
the worst is they are without home
or comfort.
Mrs. Everster is seamstress, there
fore she can pay the rent and supply
food, so they will remain in their
little snug home.
But so soon, it all came to stop,
for the dear mother had gone to
meet her beloved husband, and had
left her little daughter to mourn her
death-a poor little orphan-penni-
less and lost
Her age was about six years, just
ready for school, but being an or
phan she had to resist all such
things.
She wandered about the burying
ground until about dark, then she
went to her used-to-be home for
few days without food or protection;
then being hungry and tired OF lone
illness, she wandered down the street
a little ways, but being SO weak
from grief and hunger, she had to
sit down and rest. She was sitting
on a stone beside the street when
gentleman passed and asked what
she was doing. And she said, 81 am
thinking OF my poor dead mama
and papa"
the gentleman asked then who she
was, and she replied, 81 am Gertu-
mine Evester." The gentleman asked
then where she lived, and she replied,
81 don't live no where since mama
died, for | have no where to 90. [
don't know nobody and am penni-
less" The gentleman asked if some
body had not secured her home.
"No," she replied. The gentleman
then said, 81 used to know your
mother and if you will 60, will take
you home with me and adopt you as
my daughter" So the little girl de-
cided to 90 with him with Joy.
They started for his home and had
to 60 a long ways before they reach
ed the house, as she was way down
at the other end of town. 1t was a
very pretty house and delighted the
little child, and his wife was so pretty
and loving that the little girl loved
her at first sight.
The good lady gave her nice
warm supper and put her to bed.
Next morning when she arose the
good woman sent a servant to dress
her and bring her to her room, for
she WAS very fond OF her, for she
didn't have any children herself, and
the little girl had such pretty ways.
one cdllS Uuelu mdud duu pdpd.
She is old enough now for school
and they hire governess to teach
the little girl. She teaches her how
to be good and read the Bible as
we'll as music and books. She grad
yates at the finest colleges, and is
the belle of all seasons. She is about
sixteen now and is spending the sea-
son in Washington.
She has many offers of marriage
but refuses them, until at last rich
minister offers his hand and she &C.
cepts it. Her parents give their con-
sent and are highly pleased at her
conduct.
Her marriage will take place the
fifteenth of June. She has six brides
maids and is dressed in the finest of
clothes when the ceremony is per-
formed. They have chosen to 60 to
Niagara Falls on their bridal tour.
They will return home the fourth OF
July.
We will leave her now as she is so
happy and in such good hands. AL
ways do right and never do wrong;
! always be patient and never hasty,
and you will always find faithful
| friend.