The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1870-03-17

for twenty -four hournR"
The young man started at this unex-
pected address: then turned aud
regarded the speaker for a mo-
ment curiousIy. xata
The scene was Fifth Avenue, and the
time was near midnight.
Horses aud carriages were dashing
over the pavement, and conveying gay
parties from theatre or supper.
The air was crisp and Chill; the stars
shone cheerfully above; the lamp gIean-
ed brilliantly below; yet the young man
was thus suddenly accosted in the most
fashionable thoroughfare in New York,
by stranger who was almost starved,
and had eaten nothing. for twenty -four
hours. 4... ~s
No wonder he turned to look curious.
~ at her -sg4
Caleb, or Gale Gordon, as his intimes
called him, was hard working young
journalist-hard working but well paid;
for he was vastly clever and rapid
writer, and found a ready market for
all he wrote, besides being on the staff
of a morning paper as musical and dra-
matte critic.
And in pursuit of this part of his vo-
cation he had that evening been to the
French opera to hear "Genevieve"-had
stepped into Delmonicos for light
supper, and was now on his way down
to the office to write up his evenings g
work
He had no one but himself to take
of; made meney enough to supply all
his wants, including light suppers at
Delmonico's; and knew very little about
the poverty and wretchedness of the
underworld of the great city that he liv-
ed in.
Therefore he queried, in tone of sur
prise, after looking at the questioner for
a moment, "You say you have eaten
nothing for twenty-four hours?"
"A bit Of bread and some coffee last
evening, and nothing before that since
the day before" and the girl gave u
great gulp, something between u sigh
and a sob, and turned her face quickly
away.
BLESS MY soul! :" said Caleb, "come
right along with me and get some
thing"
You see Caleb was quite green-he had
only been in the city about six months,
having come we'll recommended from a
country newspaper, or else he would
have given her quarter and sent her
on her way-or sa%sthhiing worse might
was, he took her hand and f,..ltNf .eSlf
his arm, and walked her rapidly down a
side street toward point where he
knew there was ali oyster saloon that
kept open late.
1t was not exactly a place to take a Ia
dy; but it did not occur to Caleb to take
her to Delmonico's-besid they were
past it.
She had said nothing further; but Ca
leb noticed that she leaned rather heav-
lily on his arm; and as they passed a
street lamp and its light shone full in
her face, he observed that she was very
pale.
He hurried her along, and presently
they arrived at the saloon aud were soon
seated opposite eoch other in small
private room or box with table between
them.
Caleb called waiter and ordered q
glass of sherry; and when it was provi'
ded, gave it to the girl, who seemed alb.
solutely about to faint, and begged hel
to drink it, which she did, then he or
dered a substantial supper for her.
The waiter left them, and Caleb had
an opportunity of looking at his com
panion.
| The generous wine had revived her
and a little color tinged her thil
cheeks.
She seemed very young. Calei
/ thought of his little sister at the ole
no mestead III the country, and guessed
this girl must be about her age-abou
seventeen.
Thinking Of his little sister, too, H.
could not help thinking how he woul'
feel if she were in such strait as thi
poor creature, ant, he reIg a strange sen
sation under his watch-pocket, and di
not care to speak for a moment.
Then he said kindly and in a loy
voice: land now you must tell me no,
all this has been brought about, and per
haps can help you" ....
But the girl folded her arms on tn
table, laid her head on them, and erie
not loudly. but very bitterly.
II don't like to see you cry" said Ca
leb-and his voice was a little tremu
lous; that was q soft point in Caleb
character, he never liked to see anybod
cry. sH
The girl raised her head, and thre,
the long curling hair back from her fac
and said: "You are very kind to me
and-I won't cry" and she didn't; sh
che stopped instantly; which please'
him in more ways than one.
Caleb wasn't far out about her age
probably his memories Of his little sia
ter had aided him in some occult way
49, 4