Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1859-02-14
THE HIDDEN HAND.
BY EMMA EN-. SoUTHWoRTH.
AUTHOR OF ''rHE BRIDE OF AN EVENING, ''THE DE
SERTED WIFE," ETC, ETC, ETC.
IcoNrINukp.] ]

SERTED WIFE," ETC, ETC, ETC.
[coNTINUEDl
H' Have yor got through y asked the man at
the door. rapping impatiently.
as No, no. said I, as directed. ..~
ssHe resumed his tramping up and down,
and went back to my patient. She beckoneI
me to come close, and whispered
Hs Save my child the living one, mean
hide her oh, hide her from hin! When he
demands the babe, give him the poor little dead
one-he cannot hurt that And he will not
know there was another Oh hide and save
my child
a Master, was used TO queer dOings, but this
was little the queerest. But l was to con-
ceal that second child in order to save it. it was
necessary to stop its mouth, for it was squalling
Ike wild cat So took vial of paragoric
from nv pocket and gave it drop, and it went
off to sleep like an angel 1 wrapped it up warm
and lay it along with my shawl and bonnet, IN
a dark corner. Just then the man raped
again.
as Come in, MASTER said |.
"sNo, bring me the babe he said.
al took up the dead infant Its mother
kissed its brow and dropped tears upon its
little cold face; andEI carried Tito the man out
side
's'Is it asleep = the william asked me.
"tYes, MASTER said l. as l put it. well
wrapped up, in his arms, 'very sound asleep
80 much the BETTER said the knave walk
ing away,
tient. With her free hand she seized mine and
pressed it to her lips, and then held up her left
hand, pointed to the wedding ring upon her
third finger.
"dDrsw it of and keep it. she said; conceal
the child under your shawl, and take her with
you when you go save her and your fortune
shall be made.
al declare, master, hadn't time to think
before heard one Of them wretehes rap st the
door.
"'Come get ready to CO." he said.
ashe also beekoned me. hastened to her
With eager whispers and implofing gestures
she PRAYED me to take her ring and save he
child
.s.But you,' said I--'who is to attend you ?
aI do not know nor care Save her.
ssThe rspping continued. ran to the cone
where had LETT my things. 1 put on my bon
net, made sort of sling around my neck of th
silk handkerchief, opened the large part OF
like hammock and laid the little sleeping bab
there. Then l folded my big shawl around m
breast and nobody any the wiser. The rapPinI
was very impatient.
al am coming said /.
Remember ? whispered the poor girl:
AL will said /, and went and opened tn
door. There stood t'other villain with ms hea
covered with black Grape. jreampt OF moth
ing but blackheaded demons for SIX months al
terward
"sAre YOU readyi says he.
yes, your worship says |.
"sCome along, then
"And binding another silk handkerchief roun
my eyes, he led me along.
"'Instead Of my mule carriage stood nea
the horse block.
"'Get in, says ne, holding the pistl to m
ears by way of an argument.
| got in He jumped up upon the driver
seat and drove like the wind. In another d
rection from which we come, in course, II
there was no carriage road there. The carriae
yhirled along at such a rate it made me qull
giddy. At last it stopped again. The man
the mask got down and opened the door.
",Where are you taking me = says l.
"Be quies,' says he, or - and with tn
he put the pietil to my cheek, ordered me
get out, take the bandsge from my eyes, al
walk before him. l did so. and saw dImly tn
we were in part of the country that l vi
never at before. We were IN a dark roi
through thick forest. On the left side OF u
road, in clearing, stood an old house; d.
light was burning in lower window
60 on in there said the villain, puttlI
the pistil to the back of my head. As the do
stood aiar went in to a narrow, dark passa.
the man all She while at my back. He open,
q door on the left side, and made me 60 into
dark room. Just then the unfortunate chi
t hat been moving restlessly began TO wall
Well it might, poor starved thing
"Wbat,s that :" says the misereant, und
his breath and stopping short
.ssIt aiut nothing sir, says l, and 'hush-h
to the baby But the poor little wretch rals
8 squaIl.
.'sWhat is the meaning Of this !" says
ssWhere did that child come from! Why 8
demon don't you speak 2 and with that
seized me again by the scruf of the neck a
shook me.
"sOh, Master, for the love of heaven don
saws L, this is only poor, unfortnet infant
its parents wanted to get Outen the way, a
wanted me to take care on And l have nad
wrapped up under my shawl all the time 'ce
when was in your house, when IPutIt to sic
in the corner
".Humph and you had that child conceal
under your shawl when 1 FIRST stopped you
the woods
agn course, Master says 1.
"sWhose is it
sr.Master,s says /, 'its dead secret . fol
haddent another lie ready.
"He broke out into rude, seornful laughs
seemed not half to believe me and yet not
care about questioning me too closely
made me sit down then In the dark, and "
out and turned the key on me. l wet my
ger with the paragoric and put It to the par
lips to quiet its pains of hunger Them ne
q whispering in the next room Now my
sight never was good, bat 10 make up for
believe had the sharpest ears that ever
and don't think anybody could have he
that whispering but me. I saw little gliml
Of Hght through the chinks that showed
where the door was. and SO creePed up :
and put my ear to the ksy-hole.
thew Whispered 80 low that no ears %
q, heard them but my sharp ones, They
taking about selling some woman and chill
should have been Uneasy if they hadn't ca
the woman Kate. My willsin offered 'em