Charles City intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Floyd County, Iowa) 1864-1866, 1865-09-28
40.

oi"Sh pLiChS pehiHu Lue idTSc ToulH
| in cotnpietest shade beyond one bit
! of candle burning to the end, and un.'
seen by mortal eyes the good and evil
battling for human soul. f
:. Before they could think, look or
speak, the little group was suddenly
!. surrounded. Grim and tall, revolver
T in hand, stood one who wore tine badge
T of police officer two or three de-
termined faces brought up the rear.
The child covered under her fathers
knee, and her eyes seemed sparks Of
fire like an animal enraged, she was
J ready to do battle for the only thing
, she loved.
J, "You are Jake ingalls," said deep
voice, addressing the criminal, who
dared not move, though his savage
face grew more brutal. 1--WE have
had long search for you, and we
know you. Jim, where are the hand
cuffs p
And there are his accomplices,"
said one of the men, as he fastened
the formidable irons on the brawny,
dangerous hands. .r...
God knows I've done nothing
evil" cried the ragpicker, his face
white with terror, and the child new
er stole the vally of crust. She'd too
good mother for that. See /! thafs
the way l live !" he pointed to- the
pile of rags in the corner. One Of tie
men carelessly poked it with his stick :;
ont rolled small silver mug, Of an
elegant antique design.
Aha |! cried the policeman
"aha that's the way you live, is it 7"
"Oh, pa |! how pretty where did
you get it cried little Nanny.
/ "Come, hold off; don't touch him
4 for that" cried Jake, his fierce eyes
flashing hate and defiance as he stood
there, a chained tiger that's my do
ing he knew nothing about it., The
piles been gathering for a week, and
used it to put my pickings in tell
you he knows nothing about it,"
take it that's a valuable pile.s
said one of the men, "R it holds out
as it begins. Well see to it to-mor
row meanwhile, these people must all
go to the station-house. Maybe your
oath will clear him." he added, turning
to Jake, but your word wont-not
with me, my fine fellow" 30
:" As you please. he's given me
shelter when nobody else would, and
I'll clear him." he added, with terri
bic oath. -. 'a. ... .....
The next day saw the poor rag-pick-
er at liberty. Somebody had taken
pity on him, and given him and the
child a hearty meal. The rags were
bundled up in their corner again, for
nothing more was found of value, and
the crook or picker in his hands as
Nanny followed him into the street.
oh, there she be )" cried the child,
turning a corner. The rag-picker
looked up. A plain, lady-like woman
stood near, talking to dirty child.
Who is it, Nanny?" Is
I" Oh; don't know but she spoke
so kind to l." murmured the child,
breathlessly.
All !! here is the little girl I saw
yesterday" said the stranger. "Well;
my dear, did you ask your father
about the school?"
"Oh, l forgot?" cried the child,
shame-faced. Daddy come home
late, and then went to sleep, too
and then-and then"
Pm her father, ma'am"
"Oh, You are. l wonder If you
would let this child 60 to school 2"
"God knows l would, ma'am.~
There was no mistaking the sudden
gratitude that threw softness and
beauty into that rugged face.'
why, Fm really glad to hear you
say that"
"She's no mother, ma'am, her clothes
is mighty poor, you see but I'd die
to save her from the Streets The
mans voice trembled. Here was genu-
inc emotion.
"She shall have clothes-good
clothes. You're sure you'd not pawn
them, for ="
Pm not quite sure of myself,
ma'am," he said, in detected voice
but" and that sudden lighting up
changed his homely face again, " Pm
sure that l want to do better some
way, and give over my bad habits.
can't live my life over again wish
could but if you'd only save that
child, masam! she-she'd a good
mother
"l'll take your name, and the place
where you live" said the lady, with
sudden animation. There was some
thing in that quivering lip--in the
tears glistening on the lashes. "WilI
you be at home tomorrow 2" She nam
ed certain hour, and the man prom
ised.
That night poor Bob was strangely
light hearted The room was as poor,
as meager of comfort, as cold as ever,
but there was no dark presence there;
the ministering demon, that held cap
tive the poor burglars senses, and his
soul in strong thrall had gone with
him to the prison, and the glorious ALI
gel no eye saw lightened the rag-pick-
ers cheerless heart.
Little Nanny sat on his lap. She
was a precocious child, cunning even
t in her wickedness, for the poor, for
lorn thing had long been in the midst
of evil Influences.
I'm thinking, she SAID, eerlOueiy,
I'd be good if | was with her."
With who, child?
"The lady we saw"
}, "We're both wicked enough" sighed
|, the father. "Wish were better, for
thy sake"
4 "My fingers itched to slap Cato
, today, because she found little ring.
could done it, and taken 1t from
, her, for she's weak thing but !
didn't didn't. Something said nay.
! and didn't"
"God bless we, child! |"
, Nanny looked mp in surprise.
"He who went yon told me there
was no God"
: "But there 10 God, Nan and
; mind ye, kno,o. There's God viii
) punish us, If we're wicked, and smile
= !