VOLUME V. NO. 25. WHO WIH I.1I HAVE TE90CUIIT IT T BY HOWARD GORDON. It was a cold, blustering Novcm- j her night, tlie first truly cold night J of the reason, juid an earnest re-1 minder of the severe winter which j was soon to hold its icy sway, j Few there were who ventured out of doors, unless compel 'ed by ne cessity, an d then they hurried rap. idly through the streets, m oruer to get home again as soon as possi-1 bio, and drew up before a good tire, J now indispensable. James Wrighton was hastening! along with the rest, but with lioj cheerful prospect before him. No, if one obs rved him closely, dis- - .: iress was very imuic uiu hi face. Stout man as be was, lie now and then brushed away the tears that b iuded his eyes, and then hurried on taster than ever. Well might this man be sorrow fill Any one in his circumstances might lie pardoned tor it; for would not the bravest heart trem ble before the picture that rose this night to his view ? James Wrighton was as brave, honest, and industrious a man as ever lived. Although very poor, and burdened with much trouble through sickness at home, yet he had always had plenty of work for the maintenance of his wife andUvo children. This autumn, however, had been unfortunate for him. The large establishment in which he was employed was suddenly' destroyed by lire, and he was cast out upon t(ie world to start anew somewhere I'lse. Far from being discouraged, he tried in every way to get employ ment; but all to no purpose. The scanty amount he had been able to lay by from his earnings was soon exhausted, and he was beginning to be very low spirited, when he heard j of a new chance tor work. He ap-! plied in vain ; and as he went home this night, with no plan or hope tor the future, and the insufficient pro vision tbr thctreselit, his heart sank within him, and he shed.in silence the tears which he never would have suffered 1 lis family to witness. As he reared his home, a change t iok place in his maimer and coun tenance, lie stepped more briskly, and a cheerful expression spread over his face ; he even began to whist'e. In a minute more the door ofthe house opened, and a bright little boy ran out, exclaiming : "Hallo, papa ! You don't know how long 1 have been listening to' hear you whistle ?" " i lave you been waiting dear ?" j responded the father, as be took his i ln.y up in his arms and kissed him over and over again. Then a 'air, graceful girl about lilteen years of age met him, throw- j ing her arms about his neck to share i his coveted welcome. "My own pet. Amy! What! nhouldl do without you? And j 1 10 ware you to-night, May, dear?" he asked, lie bent down to kiss J bis invalid wife. "Nicely, James,1' said his wile,! Lightening up. "Always cheerful and happy ! 1 ! never saw anything like it !" ex claimed tl e admiring husband. "Not more so than you always are, dear," replied Mrs. Wrighton. "Any success to-day, James?" ".mi. Marv: but it will bo nil right oon i wi'l do my very bei t, ft d if we all try to do that, and ; helpourelves, (iod will not see us sutler beyond what we are able to bear." "True, James. 1 low could one j despair while yu were near to seak such cheering words. If 1 1 only had my health, how much I ; could help you, while now I can do nothing," "Oh, yes, you can and do," re-, joined the other. " Thiuk how much you cheer and encourage me on. But, now, what is there for supper ? Anything ':" " Yes, father, dear ; but not much. Mr. Bagley did not pay me to-night, as he promised, tor the ruffles I com pleted. I was so disappointed ; for I know you would l very tired, and wasdetermined you should have a nice, hot supper." "Never mind," said James, smil ing brightly, as he sat down to a simple meal of hot corn-cakes and some very weak tea. "How very delicious these cakes are, Amy. Did you make them ?' "Yes, but mother directed me how. 1 am glad you like them ; I was so afraid they would be heavy," said the young housekeeper, blush ing with pride and delight at her success. The watchful father saw the look, so he ate all the taster, as he re joined : "Splendid! Not in the least heavy. As light as a feather!" Having finished his meal with great difficulty, for his heart was so full that every mouthful seemed to choke him, he drew his chair beside his wile, and taking little Eddie in his arms, while his daughter sat at his feet with her head resting upon his knee, began to relate the events ofthe day, and discuss what was to be done in the future. During the day ot which this evening was the close, the fashion able store of Pag'ey & Co. had been much frequented by gay ladies, who looked at this thing and that, mak ing few purchases, but much troub le, until the wearied clerks were nearly taxed to the extent of their patience. A large party, the open ing one of the season, was to take place the following night, and all interested therein were naturally in a high state of excitement, buying the last finishing touches to "set off" already overdone costumes. One ofthe most conspicuous of butter flies, hovering about the tempting counters, was Miss Edson, the hand some daughter of a retired mer chant. -She was what the world terms a beauty ; and the world ad mired her for her magnificent per sonal apixarauce, and acknowledg ed her a perfect queen ; but it could make nothing of her otherwise. It was sometimes a question whether she had any heart within her, she always appeared just so cold and dignified. Not an intimate friend did she possess. Yet she was ever sur rounded by admirers, while no en tertainment of any kind was com plete without her. '!ie was the tir.-t one to lie missed. Miss Kdsou was being waited upon by the ge tlernanly proprie tor himsel'. Mr. Bagley was among the number of those wlio fluttered about the light Miss lidson's pivei.ee, and he felt quite satisfied With the position so much so that he Was considering within himself when would is.' the most opportune time to suggest to her an opportu nity he could mention of changing her name. The young lady had bought n ' fi'W articles, and was chattering ; menninglessly with Mr. Bagley ,when j her eye fell upon some beautifully i wrought nifties, blie examined one clos.'l v ; then said : "Where do you get such exquis ite ruffles, M.r. Hagley? Are they imported from Paris?" "Oh, no; they are made here. Hand manufacture. 'I hat which you hold in your hand was made by a girl only fifteen years old." ""Is it possible ? Who is she ?" "Only one of those low sewing g'r!s. iter name is Wrighton, nud lives on Kltoii street, I beiieve." "Ah, indeed ! It's too bad, isn't it? I sometimes pity tbo?e crea tures. It is a hard ;ite." "They don't need pity," replied Mr. Bagley. "Why, I wouldn't trust one of them out ot my sight in the store. All they want is to steal " Miss Edson soon left the store, and went to her elegant home, and spent the evening quietly ; for it was not one to tempt callers, even for the sake of a smile from a fair belle. The next night the long-anticipated party drew together, for the first time that season, the elite of the city. The guests seemed to have vied with each other for the most fascinating appaaranca, suc ceeding to such an extent that, a gayer assemblage could hardly be met with. The evening advanced, and the arrivals ceased. Although the rooms were crowded so that one would have supposed it difficult to tell who were and who were not, yet there was one for whom every one looked, but whom no one found. As the time wore on. everyone ask ed : "Where can Stella Edson be?" But no one could answer the ques tion. The party was over ; the last guest had gone ; but the much de sired one was not among them. Great was the wonder ; for never was she accustomed to absent her self, and she had announced her full intention of going ; had even promised her hand for some of the dances. Miss Edson had thought very much of her conversation with Mr. Bagley, and the more she thought the more she was puzzled. "Sure ly," said she to herself, "a girl that can do such work as that, and does it for a livelihood, cannot be verv low down ; it is an honorable call ing, and deserves praise, not censure. I would like to see such a person, and judge for myself I have noth ing to do this afternoon, and the walk will do mo good before that hot party. I have a great mind to go out and find her, so as to satisfy myself" Queer words for Stella Edson to utterthe proverbially proud, cold, fashionable Miss Edson, who never was known to stoop below a certain level, much less descend so low as this. But she was odd in somethings, every one said ; and when she made up tier mind, or took a fancy to anything, it was of no use to gain say her. She said nothing to any one ot her intention, only mentioned to her maid that she was going out, and that it was uncertain when she should return. Dressing herself in a very plain suit and with a thick veil, so that she never would be recognized, she ventured forth. She came at length to a part of the city entirely new and unknown, but she saw it was not a bad locality, only the abode of poverty. She was obliged to make many inquiries, nut only for the street, but a'ter that tor the house. Her courage began to fail her t little when she at last found it; but having gone so far in her purpose, she was not the tine to tur i back from it now. Her knock was answered by Amy herself! "1 came to inquire." said Miss Edson, "if anyone lived here named Wrighton." "There is a. family here by that name," replied Amy, pleasantly; "it is, my own. Will you walk in?" Amy took her caller into the com mon room; but there was no one there. Miss Kdson saw everything at a glance, without appearing to ; and although the room was poorly furnished, she was struck with the extreme tidiness of everything. Amy seated herself in some em harrassment?and waited tor her visi tor to announce her errand, which Miss Edson did, after hav ng noted what a pretty girl she was talking to, and how different she found everything from what she expected. "Are you the young miss who made those beautiful ruffles which Mr. Bagley has for sale?" "Yes, ma'am," replied Amy, blushing deeply, but why she hard ly knew ; yet her heart was in a fiuttter "I have been admiring them; they are lovely indeed. Yon must earn a great deal of money by such tine work ?" Amy hung her head but made no reply. "I presume you think I am inter fering where I have no right," said Miss Edson. "Pray excuse me." "No," said Amy, looking up; "not that, but you are very much mistaken. I earn verv little, in deal." "No ; 1 can make a number in a day, now that I have become ac customed to it. But the pay is very small," said Amy timidly. "Do not think me meddling if I ask you how much are paid for one," said Miss Edson. "! have a good object in doing so." "I am paid twelve cents apiece, when I get my money," answered Amy. "Good heavens !" exclaimed the other, starting to her feet. "Are you telling me the truth, child ? Of course you are ; your face shows it plain enough ! Twelve centsapiece! Why, Mr. Bagley charges three dollars for the plainest, while some lie asks as high as five dollars for! And what do you mean by your last expression when you get your mouey? Doesn't he pay you promptly ?" "No. ma'am; it is very seldom I can get it. And when I tell him we need it very much to buy some thing to eat he sometimes laughs at me ; but sometimes gets angry, and says he is doing me a favor by keep ing me employed, out ot mischief." "horjiow many does he owe von now ?" "For sixteen " "That would lie one dollar and ninety-two cent, tbr what he will get not less than forty-eight dollars, supposing he sells them at no more than three dollars apiece, which would be a low price tbr him," said Miss Edson, after she had figured it a little. "Is this the man who hopes to secure me for his wife?" she thought within herself. For a few minutes there was an unbroken silence. Miss Edson sat m deep thought, while Amy feared very much that she hail done some thing wrong in telling what she had, especially as she did not know who her visitor was. At length, the lady said: "I know Mr. Bagley very well, and it you work for him any more, shall see that you are better paid. I will undertake to pay you now tor what vou have done, and will settle it with him myselt, for you need the i i t i i i ' money. Ami she handed Amy a ! money. Ami she liaudeu Amy five do'lar bill. "I have no change," saitl the poor girl, about to return it. "No matter; you have earned it all ; you shall not be paid at the rate of twelve cents any longer. Say no more about it. I wish now to talk of something else. Will you not tell me about your family and circumsta' ees ?" As soon as Amy could sufficient ly master the tears of gratitude that came thick and fast, she told her visitor all she desired to know faithfully, without in the least try ing to excite sympathy. Miss Kd son saw and feli that it was only the strict truth, and her. heart warmed towards this worthy, un fortunate family. Ah ! devotees of the fashionable world, how would your lips have curie I in scorn, and your eyes flash. ed with contempt and derision, could you have seen the tears that blindeil the eyes of the queen of your circle, as she sat in a very humble room, listening to a simple tale of woe; yes, a subject so com mon that it could be heard at any time, without taking the trouble to go and hunt it up, as she had done.. But Miss Edson was far from thinking of her fine friends; she was thinking what a new world had been suddenly opened to her view ; what an extensive sphere of life she had now for the first time received a glimpse ot, when a groan from the neighboring room drew her atten tion. "Will you excuse me a moment?" asked Amy. "I fear mother may be wqrse." Mrs. Wrighton had been taken quite sick the previous night, but during the day had slept most of the time, so that nothing serious was anticipated. Now, however, she woke up in a much worse state, and Amy was gone so long that Miss Edson ventured to peep through the door; but when sne saw the condition of things went in. Amy was holding her mother's head, and trying to quiet her to sleep again ; but without avail, for the disease was much worse. Miss Edson glanced at the feeble fire, beside which little Eddie lay sleeping, threw off her cloak and hat, and, sitting down at a little taole, took out a small note-book, from which she abstracted some blank leaves, and wrote some brief directions. She then went to the bedside, and said to Amy : "I will take care ot your mother,, while you do these errands. First, send a good physician here ; then leave this note at a gnxser's ; after which take this to a druggist, and wait for what he may give you to bring back. There will be nothing to pay." Amy could do nothing but obey; and after she went out Miss Edson seated herself by the bedside, and began to do what she knew how to quiet the poor woman. Presently the doctor arrived, and proceeded to examine his patient, while soon after Amy came in, loaded with a variety of articles, and medicines from the druggist's, which would all bo needed for the comfort of the invalid. Not long after, the grocer's man brought a quantity of fuel and delicate pro, visions, upon which .Miss Edson dU rected Amy to make up a good fire, while she would attempt to make something which Mrs. Wrighton would lie ab e to eat. The doctor spoke encouraginglv of his patient, and baring done all that was necessary went away, promising to call in the morning. As James Wrighton came within sight of his house, after another un successful day, trying in vain to whistle, his face instead ot wearing ,, , ,. , , r '. that o' the most intense surprise, . i i .i u i . iitics nu mm. liymi mean in the house?'' he exclaimed ; "and it's flashing, too it must be on fire !" l'Mti which he ran in wild excitement, and burst open the door, lie stopped on the threshold, how ever, i'liecomraon room was lighted with one caudle only ; but from the door of the inner streamed a flood of light which almost dazzled his unaccustomed eyes "What does all this mean?" he asked Amy, as she met him with a smiling face. "I shan't tell you till yon kissme." 7he bewildered father com formed to the condition, and then Amy told him all that had taken place. "Who is the kind lady?" asked Jnmes " I don't know. In fact, so much has been going on that I have had Continued ou fifth page.