Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1865-1872, 1868-01-03
VOL. Z. NO. IL

the nlgnt In tue c0iu street, or peg snelte
of any who might see fit to take them in
for they had not jus. at that time tn,
means TO procure even one nights lodg
ing, and her pride forbade her asking pro
lection from those whose duty il was {,
take care of those whom sickness or mis-
fortune had rendered unable to take car,
Of themselves. She hesitated. stopped
and turned round in almost speechless be-
wilderment, aud bursting into tears, sh,
exclaimed
oh God what shall | do2'
just then, however, her eyes met those
Of genteel looking young nan who wa'
standing few PAGES from her aud leaning
against the counter. lie had been silent
spectator 10 oil that had passed, aud had
Mary seen the Ere fash from his keen
dark eyes as Langdon was throwing GU
bis taunting remarks, she would have fol-
that there was at least ono heart 10 tha
room that sympathised with her distress
AT this junetnro Of the affair, the young
man, unable longer to restrain his indig
nation, walked up close 10 where Mary
was standing aud said
"You afe both strangers TO me, but al
this young lady appears to be in distress
may be permitted to enquire the cause
ot her trouble2'
"No,hing that you have any business
with, presume, sneered Lanedon bit
lerly.
"Well, perhaps we shall know more
about that hereafter" returned the young
man. the 6rc fairly dashiug from his eyes
as he spoke, I'll | rightly understand
your conversation. you are about 10 turn u
sick woman aud her daughter into the
street because they have tailed 10 pay their
rent My God What heurIless being u
man must be, TO subject helpless females
10 such suffering Tor tho paIIiy rum Of ten
dollars But let mo tell you, sir, you aie
going 10 do no such thing"
IL um not2 We shall SEQ How are
you going TO help IL, sirY
Just make out receipt for whatever
amount that lady may owe you, aud | will
show you how | am polug to help it,
Langdon watched the young man as he
spoke, aud became thoroughly convinced
that he was Ia earnest
"Your name, sir, II you please" queried
Lungdon, as he walked round 20 tho dosk
aud took up his pen preparatory TO Wi
ting
My name Il Allen Winters" replied
the young man, "bul that does not matter.
Just receipt this young lady Tor the aui
cunt OF her Indebtedness, aud will at.
tend 10 the rost. She IL stranger to me,
but neither does that natter | could not
Aee sick woman turned into the street
for that small amount whileNt have The
means TO preyant ~.
lIe was soon presSnted with the receipt,
aud handing tho merchant ten dollar.
bill, he remarked
II hope, sir, that will satisfy you for
tho present.
lie glanced over the receipt to see IL II
was right, aud read the name, "Mary Nv.
eflon,' aud then with pleasant smile he
handed it to Macy, who all the while had
stood looking on IN speechIesS wonder.
10, sir" she said, as she stepped for
ward 70 receive II, ~, sir, you are 80 kind,
aud your assistance comes SO timely; but
| hope" she continued, trying 10 smile
through her tears that you will give me
an opportunity OF repaying you us soon Us
my mother gets we'll aud get employ
nent Meantime Mr.. Winters. how shall
| sufficiently thank you Tor your kind.
nessY
"You are perfectly welcome, Miss Ever.
ton" he rephed al may ses you again I;
but as regards the pay, you need not ,rou.
bic yourself about that; | do not need nj;
it will be pay enough for me to know that
il has procured shelter for your mother
aud yourself even one such a night as
this"
Mary again thanked him, aud after again
expressing u hope that she would soon be
able to repay him, with polite bow and
a graceful smile she turned to go. AS she
passed out sbe glanced at her beneiactor,
nnd as their eyes met, Allen thought he
had never seen ii lovelier being. lie step.
ped 10 the door aud watched her, as draw.
ing her shawl tighter around her she faced
the wind homewards.
would to God" murmurcd Allen 10
himself, as he beheld the lovely form of
Mary moving huniedy down the street,
would to God | we're as pure and sinless
rs that pretty girl. And then wouldn't it
be charming 10 have such lovely being
to carry sober. honest face home to p
oh, why cant break off from this ac-
cursed habit, which is so speedily working
my ruin, and be myself again? But it's
no use | can't do il; I've tried il so Of
ten and failed" And Allen Winters
walked away with troubled counteuance,
Notwithstanding the act Of kindness he
had performed.
-Four months passed away, and the
March winds were signing thaough the
leafiess branches of the few trees in front
Of Mrs. Eyerton's dwelling. A long, cold
winter had passed since the incidents we
have briefly narrated had transpired =
Weariedly enough had the tedious months
gone by; but by the incessant toll of Mary
and her mother, their demands had been
met. Mrs. X. had recovered her health
their rent bills had been promptly paid
the winter clothing, fuel, &c, had been
procured, and Willie had been sent to
good school for. by the aid of pair of
crutches procured for him by Mary, he
had been able during the last two months
to hobble a short distance. But the ac-
of all this had cost them
many sleepless hour. From early dawn
till late at night they had toiled on. tired
and weary, but never complaining
Though hard had been their lot. they re-