Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1869-11-23
MISCELLANEOUS.
A GOOD INVESiTMiSNT.

''No home, no home ~
There was something very plaintive in the
intonations of the voice, and the words fell
sweetly, though sadly upon my ears.
''No home !"
I was hurrying along Randolph street. iG
the city Of Chicago. Perhaps I should not
have stopped, only that the voice reminded
me of littlo girl of my own, who was at the
time fifteen hundred miles away. I felt a
slight twitch at the heart, as the words came
pleadingly on the night air,
"No home, no home |"
These words were all repeated at intervals,
and the one speaking them could not have
been more than seven years old. She stood
in a dark place, few we're passing, the night
was threatening, no policeman appeared to
be within hearing it was somewhat chilly,
and as late as halp-past ten in the evening.
What should do?
I had been accustomed to dismiss from
sight and mind all mendicants, ragged chill
dren, poor widows, old men, and the whole
disgusting crew as cheats. walked a few
PAGES past this little girl.
"No home -
How the words smote me. What if the
little girl of mine should some time be thus
desolate and alone, and should cry out in her
anguish to passing strangers unheeded. Tho
thought went to my heart like knife.
stopped, almost by impulse I could see
no person in sight, nor hear footballs on the
pavement. 1t was possible that her cry was
genuine, as some good souls by strange cir
cumstances get driftcd in with outcasts from
society. Sc perhaps this little girl was utter.
ing an honest cry among the thousand false
voices.
1 thought then that it was better to be de-
in 1rbila fhoD 70 al-a
an effort to assist the unfortunate. thought
so, and yet cannot tell why thought so at
that particular time, since 1 had been accus>
toned to think directly opposite. suppose
it was froth the loneliness of my house during
the few days preceding. Wife and children
absent had something to do with it.
''Whnt is the matter, my little one" l
said. kindly.
She shrank back as if afraid of the assist
ancc she had invoked. Psrhaps I did not
speak as kindly ns I imagined. I had not
experience in addressing children under such
circumstances.
"Whsrs do you live, my dear ?" said.
"Way off,"
Don't cry, now, my darling, and I will
lead you home"
81 don't want to. h'aint got any home.
sir. Mamma died. and aunty whips me so
can't stay"
"Weli," thought I, "this is the old story,
and the little one is unworthy, after all. She
is provoking and disobedient, and runs away
from kind aunt, who wishes to correct her"
1 turned to go. The child sobbed. No, L
could not leave her in the dark street alone,
to suffer, worthy or unworthy.
"Will you tell me your name, little one z"
asked
G.T,Fv .irD
"Weil, Luty, dear, am going with you to
your aunts I guess she won't whip you
any more. IF she does, will take you to
my home. Come, now, don't cry any moro.
We must walk as fast as We can, and you
must show me the way"
I gave her no time to reply, but took her by
the hand and led her along the pavement.
"Down this way, sir"
1 followed where she led the way, in among
a row of small wooden houses, set on posts
The houses were not old nor rickety, but they
were small and cheap, with mud in uumeas
urable quantities all around and underneath
them. l had pretty much made up my mind
that l would test the truth of the little girls
story, then leave her or take her home with
me, according as the story should prove true
or false.
"This is where aunty lives. sir" she said,
stopping before house which looked respect
able among its fellows.
1 doubted the truth of her account more
than ever, at the same time remembering that
cruelty exists in connection with good cir
cumstances sometimes.
s.Now you go in, my dear" said, "and I
will stay here. If she whips you come and
tell me-"
Il don't want to, but will. You are real
good, sir"
She stepped intn the house while re-
mained in the street. She was no sooner out
of sight, than the plan which had adopted
appeared to me to be anything but judicious'
IT she should be abused, could not see II +;
and more than likely she would not be per per
mitted to come and tell me. 1 was not iong c
in this state of mind regarding the plan. Tor
! in two minutes after the door closed on h.Ile
Luty. it was opened again by a coarse woman
and the child pushed down the steps: .ho.
There you little asii iy,o rog bTipg the money ~