Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1868-06-10

| the hope Of provisions
Meanwhile, Becky had gone begging. 1t
would be horrible, no doubt, she thought to
take food from strangers, bat she found there
was one thing even more terrible, not to
take it.
| Door after door was slammed in her face.
Once dog was set at her, or she thought
! SO: Professional beggars had made them
| selves nulsances to many people, and how
were they to know when real poverty asked
| aims Men whom they had pitied as paupers
proved to be owners of real estate. Cripples
and blind men whom they had aided were
found to have bound up strong limbs and
glued their eyes together-so they we're hard
upon real distress and refused its broken
bread. At six that evening Becky stood at
street corner with one crust In ner basket
no more
Beyond lay pawnbroker's shop, and
Becky looked at 1T S golden balls and her wed
ding ring. She had worn it fifteen years, and
1t was thin and frail, but pure gold Through
all she had kept it until now Must it go
The thought was worse than begging.
Becky took a step forward, another back.
Then she began to cry little. Nick S ring
that he put on her hand SO long ago-eh
deari oh dear!
But She grew brave again, and walked into
much they gave for it, but it would buy
supper, and perhaps Nick wouldn't notice,
and perhaps she could get it back. That
was a very faint perhaps, however.
A woman was In the pawnshop, as she
waited, bargaining with the proprietor over
suit of little girl S clothing things,
strangely out of place in her hands Becky
noticed this, saying to herself that they
were never fairly come by. But she had
forgotten all about 1t when, coming out of
the bakers little voice fell on her ear, and
looking down, bare footed child, of four,
IN wretched rags, sobbing vso cry pite-
ously.
Becky was soft of heart but in poor
quarters, crying children are common enough
and her own were waiting for the loaves in
her basket. She walked on hastily, and SO
upset the toddler. Then Becky needs stop
and WHY aRifGsk hhssE hhssE5 up.
here.
And little silver voice of thread an
swered:
'I cant find mamma I cant find my home.
Where is mammal Oh, mamma!
Becky knelt down. a white head of
crumpled eurls, and pair of blue eyes,
and swimming in tears, she could just make
out. ;,
.'Tn take you home-only say where
she said
But the child could tell nothing. 1t was
plainly lost Becky took it in her arms, and
made inquiries at the corner grocery, where
she bought slice of ham; but no one
knew the child. 1t was growing late, too,
and Becky would not leave the child to its
fate
''Ill take it home,'' said she ''and to-
morrow find its folks.
So when the cobbler and his children saw
the door open at last, there entered by It,
not only their mother and aFsbasket, but
baby also.
A new baby came frequetly to that estab-
view of such matters, opineed that they
had another little sister.
Its poor lost child said Becky.
''I'm going to keep it tonight. It's par
ents are poorer than we are, you can see
that by its bare feet and only one little frock
poor thing Now hold her, Nick, while l
cook supper. I didn't beg it Nick, so don t
fret.
And then, keeping her ring finger out OF
sight Becky fried the ham, and made gravy,
| and cut bread, and sent for two cents worth
| of milk-which judiciously diluted, made a
| quart of milk and water, and tried to be
| very cheerful.
| The lost child cried, but Becky fed it, and
soon coaxed it to talk then came a story
of ''bu dess, and ''nassy woman.
| The youngest, who had chewed the rec
| kid, acted as interpreter. Soon it was dis
covered that some woman described as mas mas
| ty'' had taken away the childs blue dress
and other garments, and then had whip
| ped her.
| Rocky listened intently..
'sThat dress was blue, Nick, she cried
81 knew it wasn't hers-a tipsy, ragged Wo
man; and folks that own them don come
pawning. L"
Then she paused-the secret was out
I Nick eye had glanced toward the Wedding
ring, and back again to her face.
"Oh, Becky" he cried. Becky "
didn't think
Becky flushed scarlet.
II didn't mean to tell, she said, 'ou
now it's out; I'm married all the same
thank God. 1t was at the pawnshop say
the blue dress And she told them OF tn
woman whom she had watched and of he
suspicious THE child has been stole
Nick, she said, It's genteel child, 20
can see; and if we can but find it's nam
; out, we may save some one trouble, We v
never had Think of one of ours bein
, gone all night, Nick.
!, The baby s name seemed to be Mimi
, Smith-though 'Mis' might be anythin
!, , else; and putting the children all to bed, a
in row, ike the little Ogres in fairy tale
q save that they had no crowns on, Nick az
! his wife started for the pawnbroker'
The man was good natured, and looked
: the garments They were marked, NJ. D.
E .I'm right then. said Becky. 'aThey a
o the child's, and they have been stole. Al
if we can but find its poor mother. we
IF save her more than any but mother c;