Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1855-05-31

The miser paused Even he, callous as his
heart had become, would not willingly thrust
out young girl into the street, where, in all
probability, unless succor came, she would
perish from the severity of the weather
After little consideration, he took the frag-
ment of candle which was burning on the
table, and bidding Floy follow him, led the
way into room near by, which was quite
destitute of furniture, save small cot bed in
the corner. 1t had been left there when Mar
tin Kendrick first took possession of the house,
and had remained undisturbed ever since. A
quilt which, though tattered, was still thick
and warp, was spread over it.
There said Martin, pointing it out TO
Floy, who followed him closely, there is a
bed. 1t hasn't been slept in for great many
years. but suppose it will do as well as any
other. You can sleep there if you want to-
Then shall have bed to sleep in said
Floy, joyfully. : 1t is some time since I slept
on anything softer than board, or perhaps a
rug
Martin was about TO leave her alone, when
he chanced to think that the room would be
dark.
You can undress in the dark, can't you q
he inquired. Haven't got but one light. |
can't aford to keep more
80, l shan't take my clothes off at all, said
the young girl. 1 never do.
She got into bed, spread the quilt over her,
and was asleep in less than five minutes.
Martin Kendrick went back to his room.A
He did not Immediately retire 10 bed, but sat
for few minutes pondering on the extraordi-
nary chance, for in his case it was certainly
extraordinary, which had thrown young girl
as it were under his protection, though but for
limited time. He was somewhat bewil-
dered, so Unexpectedly had the event happened,
and could scarcely, even now, realize that it
was so.
But the warning sound of a neighboring
church clock, as it proclaimed midnight, in
terrupted the train of his reflections, and he
prepared for bed, not neglecting, so strongly
was the feeling Of suspicion implanted in him,
to secure the door by means Of bolt. When
he awoke, the sun was shining through the
window of his room. He had hardly dressed
himself when faint knock WAS heard at the
door of his room. Opening it little ways,
he saw Floy standing before him.
What, you here now!' he inquired.
Yes. Where should l go! Besides, l
did not want to unlock the front door without
your PERMISSION
That is quite right said Martin. Some
one who was i'll disposed might have entered
and stolen, that is, if he could have found any
thing worth taking:'
And now, sir, if you please. I'll make your
bed, said the child, entering the room I've
made the one slept in
Martin looked on without word, while
Floy, taking his silence for assent, proceeded
to roll back the clothes, shake the bed vipor-
ously, and then spread them over again
Espying broom at the corner of the room,
she took it and swept up the hearth neatly
She then glanced towards the miser who had
been watching her motions, as if TO ascertain
whether they met with his approval.
So you work, said he, after a pause.
Dyes, mother used to teach me l wish,
said she, after while, Frightening up as
struck with new idea, wish you would
let me stay here / would make your bed,
take care of your room, and keep everything
nice. Besides could get your dinners
Stay with me impossible. don't have
much to do, besides couldn't afford it.
Il won't cost you anything, said Floy, ear
nestly. / know how to sew, and when | am
not doing something for you, l can sew for
money, and give it to you
This idea seemed 10 produce some impress
sion upon the miser's mind
But how do I know said he, portion of
his old suspicious returning, how do l know
but you will steal off some day, and carry
something with you!'
Il never steaI,' said Floy, half Indignantly
besides, have no place TO go 10 if I should
leave here
This was true, and Martin, considering that
it would be against her interest to injure him
in any such way, an argument which weighed
more heavily than any protestations on her
part would have done, at length said =
Well, you may stay, at least while.
suppose you are hungry. There's loaf OF
bread in the closet. You may eat some Of it,
but don't eat too much. It's-it's hurtful to
the health to eat too much
When will you be home 10 get some din
ner!' asked the child.
About noon. Perhaps will bring some
sewing for you to do.
so, hope you will 1t will seem so nice
not to be obliged 10 be walking about the
streets, but to be seated in a pleasant room,
sewing
When Martin came home at noon, instead OF
finding the room cherries and cold, as had
been wont, the fire was burning brightly, diff
fusing pleasant warmth about the apartment.
FIoy had set the table in the centre of the
room, with some difficulty, it must be con-
fessed, for it was riekety and would not stand
even. owing to one of the legs being shorter
than the rest This, however, she had RENE
died by placing a chip under the deficient