The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1870-07-02
Tte Albang Register.
Found In the street.


s.Do YOU know, sir, that am almost
starvcd-that L have had nothing to eat
for twenty four hours e.
The young man started at this address;
then turned, and regarded the speaker Tor
o moment curiousiy-
The scene was Fifth Avenue, and the
time was near midnight. Horses and
carriages were dashing over the pavement,
conveying gay parties from theater or
supper. The air was crisp and chill; the
stars shone cheerfully above; the lamps
cleaned brilliantly below; yet the young
man was thus suddenly accosted in the
most fashionable thoroughfare of New
York, by stranger who was almost
starved, and had eaten nothing for twen-
ty-four hours. No wonder he turned to
look curiously at her.
Caleb, or Gale Gordon, as his iatiin,es
called him, was a bark working young
journalist-hard-working but well paid
for he was vastly clever and rapid writ
er, and found ready market fer all he
wrote besides being ON the regular staff
of one morning paper as musical and dra-
matte critic. And in pursuit of this part
of his vocation he had that evening been
TO the French opera to hear ssGeneYieve"
had stepped into Delmonico's for
light supper, aud was now on his way
down to the Office to write up his even
ing's work. He had no one but himself
to take care of, made money enough to
supply all his wants, light suppers at
Delmonico's when he desired them and
knew very little about the poverty and
wretchedness of the under world of the
great city he lived in. Therefore, he
querled in tone of surprise, after looking
at the questisner for a moment" you
say you have eaten nothing for twenty
four hours ?''
ga bit of bread and some coffee last
evening, and nothing before that since
the day before" and the girl gave gulp,
something between sigh and sob, and
turning her face away.
"Bless my soul ~ said Caleb; acome
right along with me and get something.
You see Caleb was quite green-he
had only been in the city about six
msnths, having came well recommended
from a country newspaper, or else he
would have given her quarter and sent
her on her way-or, perhaps, something
worse might have come of it, who knows.
But, as it was, he took her hand and
placed it on his arm, and walked her
rapidly down side street towards point
where he knew there was an oyster saloon
that kept open all night. It was not ex-
actly place to take lady ; but it did
not occur to Caleb to take her to Del
monico's-besides they were to pass it,
She said nothing further; but Caleb
noticed that she leaned rather heavily on
his arm and as they passed street
f,o-hk Oh f,,fl lar
he saw that she was very pale He hur-
at the saloon and were soou seated oppe-
site each other in small private room or
box, with table between them.
Caleb called waiter and ordered a
glass of sherry, and, when that was pro-
vided, gave it to the girl, who seemed
absolutely about to faint. and begged her
to drink it, which she did; then he or
dered a substantial supper for her. The
waiter left them, and Caleb had an ep-
portunity of looking at his companion.
The wine had revived her, and a little
color tinged her cheeks. She seemed
very young. Caleb thought of his little
sister at the old homestead in the country,
and guessed this little girl must be about
her age-about seventeen.
Thinking Of his little sister, too, he
could not help thinking how he~would
feel If she were in such strait as this
poor creature and he felt a strange
sensation under his watch pocket, and
did not care to speak for moment.
Then he said kindly and in clear
voice, "And now you must tell me how
all this has been brought about, and per-
haps can help you."