Year: 1875

The winds blew fercely. whirling the fast
falling snow in swift eddes on sidewalk and
housetopin the city Of - where Leslie Moore
sat, in desolate upper room, shivering over
handful OF Goals, and rubbing his thin hands in
vain endeavor TO hasten his slow beating and
chilled pulse.


my child, my child my precious Regina |!
Heaven grant you may find a purchaser for my
picture, else starvation stares us in the face.
Mary. my Mary my angel wife l thank God
that you are spared this suffering and misery
over your unhappy husband l must not-I
will not despair Surely my father will relent
now that my poor wife, for whom he disinher-
tied me, is no more. My proud heart rebels at
receiving aid from 20 cruel parent, but my
child must not perish I cannot look in her wan
face without thinking. like the prodgal of old
of the plenty IN my fathers house of the pomp
and glitter OF the lordly entertainments tables
groaning under the weight Of choice viands and
rare wines. Wines All, il only had some to
warm and quicken my torpid blood !"


The unhappy man was interrupted in his sad
soliloquy by 4 football on the stsire The door
opened and vision OF beauty came fitting to
the side Of the invalid.


'How are you feeling now, father? See here
ia bread, and l shall soon make you nice cup
Of tea and some toast"


With a look Of anguish he answered.


81 am no worse, dear child; but tell me where
is your pelisse You came In without it. and !
can see by your face that you have not sold my
picture?"


"Come, inquisitiye papa, put Off talking until
you have eaten slice 'all round the loaf, as
used to tell nurse to bring me when hungry"


"You can't deceive me You have deprived
yourself Of nearly all your clothing to feed and
shelter us and your cloak that you 60 need in
this inclement season, you have eold, to-day"


" Not sold. only pawned. All, papa, must
remind you of the lessons you long ago taught
me. Our heavenly father can supply Hll our
wants. He will not forsake those that trust in
him, and something tells me that We shall soon
find relief. 1t may be remittance from Eng
land, and perhaps q reconciliation with your
father. Come, here ID your toast The meal iH
simple, but, nevertheless, we should thank God
for it. Now will tell you about the picture.
left it at Goupips on exhibition they did not
want to buy, but they kindly offered to try and
sell it for you and father, they praised it too,
and said it was little gem. Who knows but
some nabob may fancy it, and you will become a
famous artist yeti"


"Ah. me have no ambition now /; those
day-dreams have fled, and care not for fame
when we want bread.


"Cannot prevent that dependency, when
hold before your eyes the prospect Of that
wreath when you, as a celebrated painter, shall
find it on your brow, and money come pouring
in for the beauties that shall wake to life on
your canvas 2"


Little sunbeam, 1t is idle to build chateaur de
Espagnd, but your CHEEKY spirit does infuse new
vigor for your sake will be cheerful and wait,
like Wilkins Mcawber, for something to turn
up"


gin to talk like yourself, will tell you what your
naughty girl has done. You must not object,
for am in luck. have secured employment
as copyist, and you know l am rapid writer,
and besides, can bring 1t home, and you will
have me here to keep you company. We shall
good old port to build you up, and make Of you
strong man again."


"Your success has been wonderful, dear Re-
gina. Why, before l broke down in health
walked through all the town for days and weeks.
asking employment, but no one needed my SER
vices. How came you to be successful? You
are like me without recommends tion."


~ saw an advertisement wanted copyist.
l applied and succeeded In getting it. l WAS
half frightened when l entered the office, but
good old Mr.. Merritt looked pleasantly up from
his pile Of papers, took heart and asked II he
wanted copyist.


Yes, said he, certainly; advertised yester-
day, and am just answering an applicant. Please
step to my desk and let me SEQ your writing"





quite pleased with my chirography.


He nodded his head and told me to come ear
ly tomorrow, and he would have a package
ready for me. Are not we in luck And will
not that please you, father2 1t ID 30 much easier
than to stitch, stitch, stitch


"Good girl, am glad and thankful; you have
reused my dormant energies, and do believe
there is good in store for us yet. can write 1
think, and help you."


Not until you are well and strong again; and
hat n eba hanpppa ao vOIl
had better go to bed and dream of our good
luck"


at seems too good to be true, but shall
cherish the hope that it is blessed reality. Let
us thank God for his goodness, and my blessings
rest upon the head OF my darling child. Regina,
queen, thou vert rightly named, for right regal
art thou in person and intellect, and it grieves
me that thy bright loveliness s hidden in mis-
cradle garrett. All, well, God wills it"


The remainder OF that night Regina spent in
remodelling one OF her cast-uH cloaks to be worn
on the morrow. The rents were dexterously
hidden in the folds, while the soap and sponge
quite renovated the before shabby garment.
Throwing it around her shoulders she took a sur
vey of herself and exclaimed


This is not just what should like, but it
will keep me warm, and hope soon to earn a
new one."


In an elegant uptown mansion lounged Ian
guild beauty, but the frown on her face showed an
unhappy one. A novel lay unopened on her lap,
and her thoughts took words.


I" wonder what has come over Francis Mer-
ritt Here he has been my shadow for the
last six months, and have been nightly expect
ing him to propose in due form have broken
the ice 30 often for him, and he obstinately re-
fuses to soc it and now, to cap the climax, he
has not been here for week, though know he
is in town, for met him driving in the park.
shall make mamma ask his intentions the very
next time he comes"


Francis Merritt was shy fish, and would not
swallow the gilded bait thrown 30 entcingy
to him. He was one day in his fathers office
when Regina Moore called for some papers to
copy He made no remark, but his calls at his
fathers office became more frequent; at last he
spoke


:" Who is that young lady, father, your copy
| st mean ~


a. Miss Moore" said he without looking up.
"a proud enough person she is, for only
copyistw .s
| reserved when young gentlemen are watching
opportunities to make her acquaintance. Dc
YOU think did not know why your visits here
were 80 frequent2 1t is my opinion you had
| botter pay little more attention to Blackstone
and leave off gazing after Miss Moore, for lei
| me tell you, Francis, do not approve Of these
| fashionable fliltations. When you wanta wife
40 about it right, and not fritter away your time
| dancing attendance for months and years upor
| these silly nonsensical bellies Marry a woman