Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1866-07-11


i'll to work, Myra had accepted a stu
alton in wholesale grocery in Front I.
street, where they employed girls to
pack and label spices, &c. 1t was a
great trial, this daily separation Of
mother and daughter for so many long
and weary hOurs-the one so lonely, so
weak, 50 suffering, the other blessed
with youth and health, but surrounded
by uncongenial companions, and cx-
posed to all the dangers and seductions
OF large city at the very age when
loving mothers companionship and
vigilance were most required. Myra
was late Tonight, but she came at last
The wind was SO high that she had
scarcely strength to close the door be-
hind her as she entered, staggering
under the weight Of a large market
basket. She quickly lighted Il small
coal oil lamp and embraced her moth
er
You are late, Myra'
Yes, mother, they have a large or
der. Norah and Ellen were aga1n alb
sent, 50 | had their work to DO as well
as my own, and could not get through
till nearly seven. 1t was pepper
had to pack, and oh! how it chokcd
me-
Poor child. poor chiIdn
Never mind, / will make you some
fire and tell you all my adventures,
while the kettle bCils'
Dear child what adventures-what
new misfortuncs have you metz?
Nothing so horrible As was pas
sing along Fulton street, where the
fire was, saw ali this nice wood, SO !
collected it, and was thinking what a
good warm room it would make for
you when | felt myself seized around
| the waist, and in another moment
was struggling in that hateful Bob
| Grinders arms, and but mother,
/ darling, am here all safe, you see;
/ do not look so scared aud white or
/ shall be afraid to tell you anything
/ Go on, child tell me all
There is little more to tell, mamma.
/ Two young men came up at the time,
and one OF them, quite It gentleman,
/ threatened TO cane Bob if he did not
release me instantly. The companion
OF my unknown friend walked on say
ing Let her alone, Gerald she is Of
/ no account, anyhow But the gen
tlcman did cot heed him; and then
when Bob saw my protectorap apProach
I he sncaked off like i coward, muttor-
+ ing something | could not hear Then
the gentleman picked up the wood
which was upset in tho scul1lc, and
handed me the basket with as much
respect us il | had been a great lady,
instead Of Il poor working girl
May Gods blessing be with him
for his kindness to my tathorless child
But oh. mother, have behaved
like Il fool; | was so confused, so
ashamed. | took the basket. and
looked up to thank him, when who
should | sec but the same handsome
young man who saved me from being
run over when | was Il little girl and
crossing roadway to the Thirteenth
school; who so often afterwards used
to meet me wet days and hold his um
brella over ne, because we were neigh
bors, he said, and goinG the same way
| wonder il he recognized me; | could
not speak, and he must have thought
me rude and ungratetul l-hc raised his
hat, and as he left me gave me this
card See it is his name and address,
/ Markham, No. - Fourteenth street
Gerald Markham that was the
name Of my Godfather | was named
after him, Geraldine, and your second
name is Geraldine, too. | wonder if
they are in any way connected? 1t
can hardly be, for Mr.. Markham emf,
grated to Australia before l married
your poor father. | could not apply
to him for assistance, for | did not
know his address; but if he had re-
manned in England our fate would
have been far different, for he was a
most generous liberal man, and | was
ever a great favorite with him
Myra had kindled the fire, and Sc
cured the banging shutters, and, hav-
ing assisted ber mother to bed, and
prepared their frugal supper Of tea and
| soda crackers, sat down to finish the
| hair net which her mother had com
f menccd, and which had to be complet.
f cd that night, for the next day was
, the lst OF April and she depended
, upon the money she was to receive fol
| them TO pay the rent Of the miserable
} room they tenanted for the ensuing
, month and she knew she dare not ask
for her weeks wages at the store be
fore Saturday.
: Myra was indeed creature of rare
/ and exquisite beauty. The rays of the
, lamp, which was on the mantel piece
/ streamcd upon her head, surrounding
it with glory such as Remembrance
e. loved to picture about the heads O
. saints and martyrs. Her face was ii
!; shadow now, but her large lustrou.