The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1855-06-15
B1DDEFoRD, MAINE, FRIDAY, JUNE is, 1855.
he regarded as an ac, Of kindness to her

Ie'so 'o6eauSa 30 oai oSs W AiuuuSoS w hSi'
self. ior
FUELS high, very high, and il takes Z
fearful quantity 10 keep the fire going"
"But what pleasant FIRE !, Makes
said the little girl, as she looked a. the
flames curling alon.
"Why, yes" said Martin, in soliloquis'
ing tone" II is comfortable, but |, wouldn'
do to have il burn SO bright. I, would ruin
me completely"
"Then you are poor 7" asked tho little
girl, looking about The room. The fnrni.
ture was scanty, consisting only Of the most
indispensable articles, and those Of the
cheapest kind. They had been all picked
up a, secondhand stores, for liule OF
nothing.
II was no wonder that little Flory asked
the question Nevertheless, the miser look.
cd suspiciously at her, as II there was some
! covert meaning ia hor words. But she
looked so openly and frankly at him, as
quite 10 disarm any suspicious he might en-
lertain.
"Poor I" he at length answered. "Yes
| am, or should be, i'll plunged into extrav-
agant living and expenses Of every kind !"
and he looked half resrelfully at the sticks
which had burned out, and were now
smouldering in The CRATE.
"Well," said Flory,"l I am poor, TOO
and so were father and mother. But
think l am poorer than you for have no
homo at oil, no house 10 live in, and no fire
10 keep me warm"
"Then where 10 you livel" asked the
miser.
81 don't live any where" said the child,
simply.
"But where do you stay p'
"Where can. I generally walk about
tho streets in the day time, and when | feel
cold get into some store 10 warm myself.
They don't always let mo stay long. They
called me ragged, and beggar. sup.
pose" she continued, casting glance a'
he. Thin dress, which in some places was
torn and dirty, from long wearing, " sup.
pose It's all true, bu, can't help it,"
"Wherc do you think ofgoing TO night ?"
asked Martin, abruptly.
"I don't know. | haven't any place TO
60 10, and it's very cold. Won't you let me
stay here !" asked the child imploringly.
The miser started.
"How can you stay here' Here's only
one room, and this occupy"
"Let me lie down on the floor anywhere
II will be better than 10 90 out into the cold
s!reeis.n
The miser paused. Even he. callous as
bis heart had become, would not willingly
thrust out young girl into The street,
where, in all probability, unless succor
sme, sho would perish from the severity
Jof the weather.
Aher little consideration, he took the
fragments Of a candle which was burning
on the table, and bidding Floy follow him,
led the way into room near BY, which
was quite destitute oflurniure, save a small
cot bed in the corner. II had been leii
there when Martin Kendrick first took pos.
session of the house, and had remained un-
disturbed ever since. A quilt which,
lhongh ta,iered, was still thick and warm,
was spread over il.
"There, said Martin, pointing it out 10
Floy, who followed him closely, "there is
q bed. It hasn't been slept in for a grea.
many years, but suppose il will do as we'll
as any other. You can sleep there IL you
want TO-"
"Then shall have bed TO sleep in"
said Floy, joyfully. I, is some time since
I slep, on anything softer than board, or
perhaps rug"
Martin was about 10 leave her alone,
when he CHANGED 10 think that the room
would be dark.
"You can undress in the dark can't
you o. he inquired. al haven't 60, but
one light / can't afford 10 keep more"
80, ashanti take my clothes of q, all
never do"
She 60, into bed, spread the quilt over
her, and was asleep in less than FIVE min.
u,es.
Martin Kendrick wen, back to his room.
He did no, Immediately retire 10 bed, but
sal for few minutes pondeting on the ex-
traordinary chance, for in his case i, was
certainly extraordinary, which had thrown
a young girl, as !, were, under his pro,ec-
ton, though but for limited time. He
was somewhat bewildered, so Unexpectedly
had The event happened, and could scarce.
ly even now realize ,ha, il was so.
Blu, the warning sound Of neighboring
church clock, as It proclaimed midnight,
interrupted the train OF his reflections, and
he prepared for bed, no, neslec,ing, so
strongly was the feeling Of suspicion i'm
planted in him, 10 SECURE the door by means
Of bolt. When he awoke, the sun was
shining through tho window Of his room.
He had hardly dressed himself when fain.
knock was heard at tho door Of his room.
Opening !, a little ways, he saw FlOy stand.
ing before him.
"Wha,, you here now" he inquired.
AYES. Where should go!" Besides,
I did no, wan, to unlock the front door with.
out your permission"
"Thai is quite right" said Martini
"Some one who wa, ill.disposed might
have entered and stolen, that is, II he could
have found anything worth taking"
"And now, sir you please. Ill make