The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1867-02-12
SENT BY EXPRESS.
Marian Harlan was alone in the world

Marian Harlan was alone in the world
her mother was just buried.
She was a beautiful, brown haired girl,
with soft shy eyes of a violet gray, and
rosy lips compressed to a frmness far be-
yond her years For after all she was
scarcely seventeen, and SO Deacon Gray
was telling her, as he sat by the fire,
spreading his huge hands over the tardy
blaze, and asked:
"But what are you going to do to earn
your bread ard butter, child?'
81 don't know haven't thought
mama had an uncle in New York who
eyes, yes-l've heern tell about him
he was mad cause your mother did not
marry just to suit him, wasn't he?"
Marian was silent. Deacon Gray wal
ted few minutes, hoping she would ad-
NIT him into her secret meditations; but
she did not, and the Deacon went home,
to tell his wife that "that Harlan girl was
the queerest creature he ever came
across
In the meanwhile Marian was packing
her few scanty things into little carpet
bag, by the wierd Pickering light Of the
dying wood fire.
"I will go to New York." she said to
herself, setting her small peaily teeth
firmly together.
"My mothers uncle shall hear her
cause pleaded through my own lips. Oh,
| wish my heart would not throb so wild
lyl am no longer meek Minnie Harlan;
l am an orphan all alone in the world,
who must fight life's battle with her own
single hands!''
Lower Broadway at Z o'clock P. NJ.
What babel of crashing wheels, hurry
ing humanity and conglomerate noise it
wasl Minnie Harlan sat in the corner of
an express office. under the fare of gas
lights, surrounded by boxes, and wonder
ing whether the people ever went crazy.
She was dressed plain-gray poplin, with
shabby, old fashioned, little straw bon
net. tied with black ribbons, and blue
veil, while her article of baggage, the lit
tie carpet-bvg, lay in her lap. She had
set there two hours, and was very tired.
"Poor little thingi'' thought the dark
haired youngest clerk, nearest her, who
inhabited sort of wire cage under the
circlet of gas-lights. And then be took
up his pen and plunged into perfect
Atlantic Ocean of accounts.
"Mr. Evans"
The dark haired clerk emerged from
his cage with his pen behind his ear in
obedience to the beckoning finger Of his
superior. 3
II have noticed that young woman sit.
ting here for some time--how came she
here?'
Expressed on, sir, from Millington,
Iowa; arrived this afternoon.
As though Minnie Harlan was box
or paper parcel.
"Who for?"
"Consigned to Walter Harrington,
Esq"
''And why hasn't she been called for?''
81 sent up to Mr.. Harrington's address
to notify him some time ago. expect
an answer every moment.
Every odd" said the gray-haired gen.
tleman, taking up his newspaper.
ayes, sir; rather"
Some three quarters of an hour after
wards, Frank Evans came to the pale
girls side with an indescribable pity in
his hazel eyes.
"Miss Harlan, we have sent to Mr..
Harrington's residence"
Minnie looked up with feverish red
upon her cheek, and her hand clasped
tightly on the handle of the faded carpet
bag.
And we regret to inform yot that
he sailed for Europe at twelve o'clock
this day."
A sudden blur came over Minnie s
eyes-she trembled like leaf. In all
her calculations she made no allowance
for an exigency like this.
"Can We do anything further for you?"
questioned the young clerk, politely.
"Nothing-no one can do anything
now"
Frank Evans was turning away, but
something in the piteous tones of her
voice appealed to every manly instinct
within him.
"Shall l send yo1 to any other Of your
friends2"
"I have no friends"
"Perhaps [ can have your things sem
to soms quiet family hotel?"
Minnie opened her little leather purse
and showed him two ten cent pieces, with
smile that was almost tear
"This is all the money | have in thu
world, sir"
So young, so beautiful, 50 desolate
Frank Evans had been in New York al
his life, but he had never met an exac
parallel case to-this He bit the end o
his pen in dire perplexity.
"But what are you gsing to do2"
II don't know, sir. Isn't there worl
house, or some such place, I could go tt
until | could find something to do2'
"Hardlypi Frank Evans coul9 hardly
help smiling at Minnie's simplicity
"They are putting out the lights, and pre-
pairing to close the Office, said Minnie
starting to her feet. 81 must go some
whereof
Miss Harlan said Frank quietly
"my home is very poor one-I am onl.
FIVE hundred dollar clerk but | an
sure my mother will receive you unde
Eher roof day or two. if YOU can trus