The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1854-01-05

shall not feel the storm. You
and our child must have food tonight.
To morrow may be too late
As Helen spoke she laid her child
down by the side of its father, and then
she drew on her hood aud cloak. She
hurried for fear ber husband might call
her back, and in a few moments she was
ready to set forth. She cast one more
look upon the bed that held all her wotld-
ly wealth, and then, while simple
prayer tremblcd upon her lips, she tu.n-
ed from the room. The passage with
out was dark, but she managed to crop"
her way down three flights Of stairs in
safety.
When Helen gained the street the
last light of day had gone, and the
rain was still falling but she noticed
not the storm, only to gather her cloak
more closely about her, and fastened
on her way Many a homeward bound
pedestrian turned to gaze into those
pale features, as he moved his umbrella
aside for her to pass, but she kept her
face turned from the glare of the shop
lights as much as possible, and few
could gain view of her couutenance.
1t WAS long distance to The store of
Solomon Lowton, but that was nearer
than his dwelling, and th;.oer the. poor
sufferer hist bent her steps, in hopes
that she might find him there. 1t was
with a tr ,mbling hand that she raised
the heavy latch, and when she entered
one of the clerks stepped forward to
motion her back but she noticed him
not, for at the further end of the great
store she saw Mr.. Lowton in his count
/ Iingroom. At any other time she would
have shrank back in fear, but now she
was urged on by sort of wild frenzy,
and with quick step, she moved on.
She noticed not that some one had en-
tered the store behind her, nor did she
hear the deep, rough voice that inquired
for Solomon Lowton.
At the door of the cOunting-room she
hesitatcd, and her fortitude came nigh
forsaking her
'Heave ahead, heave ahead, my lady
said some one behind her and without
turning to see who it Was, she pushed
open the door and passed in.
Mr.. Lowton raised his eyes from the
invoice book that he had been examin-
ing.
who are you;' was the first ques-
ton.
Helen summoned all her strength of
purpose.
DO you not know me, sir /? she re-
piled, as she advanced toward the desk.
aha, Mrs. gives, the merchant ut
tered with bitter sneer, what trings
You here?'
Mercy mercy, sir for Gods sake,
have mercy y murmured Helen, clasp
ing her hands together. My husband
and child are starving. We have no
food, no fuel. Lend me something-a few
dollarS-and when Albert is able to
work, he will repay you. He will die if
he has no aid
Then let him die y coldly returned
Mr.. Lowton when you left my house
l told you what to depend upon. l did
not mean to tell you lie. You can
have no help from me-
But my child, my child, my poor
child is starving y gasped Helen.
Then let it starve What l told to
Helen Fairfield shall not be made lie
to Helen Gyves.'
Poor Helen's heart sank within her,
and she would have fallen beneath the
weight of her bitter disappointment had
there not have been deep fire of indig-
nation raging in her bosom.
Solomon Lowton,' she said, as she
raised her finger towards heaven, you
dare not ask God to look into your base,
black hearth
The merchant sprang from bis chair,
and would have pushed the poor suppli-I
ant from his room, but hand more
powerful than his own Was laid upon bis
arm, and he was sent reeling lack to
his desk.
'Avast, there, you lubbering land
shark. Lay a hand on this woman,
and III smash that head of yours quick