The Republican journal., 1870-11-03
From Lippincott's Magazine.
A STRANGE VISITOR.

A STRANGE VISITOR.
In 1913, | had been in business about Il
year or so, and was beginning to pick up
stray cases. One night in the small hours
the night-bell rang family over my head. /
wanted work in those days, and its clamor
was not quite so altogether horrible as it be-
came in after years; so l jumped up, and,
putting on my wrapper, opened the window
and called aloud to know who wanted me.
Hearing no answer, and the night being
utterly dark, | slipped on my clothes and
went down to the door. To my surprise
there was no one visible, and the street was
black and silent. Annoyed at the impatience
OF my visitor, | went sullenly back to bed
The next night. at the same hour Of two
o'clock, the bell rang, and, as before, faint
ly, like the ring of child. The night was
cloudless and the moon brilliant, but no one
was on the steps or near them. Instantly l
was possessed with a strange impression of
terror as | closed the window and stood q
moment thoughtful before going back to bed.
had scarcely fallen asleep when the bell
rang once more. On this occasion I-dressed
instantly and went down to the door. As
before there was no one in sight. Still in
doubt, l went out and explored in vain the
dark side of the street and the nearer shadows
ou may laugh, Colonel, but the thing wasn't
pleasant. The next night | resolved to sit
up and catch the disturber, Providing my
SELF therefore, with a good stick, 1 left the
street door unlocked, 50 as to be easily open
ed and then lit cigar and settled down to
read in my office. Precisely as the clock
struck two the door bell rang. In a moment
[ had opened it, exclaiming, $50 I've got
you at last !" Then l paused in my wrath
On the top step was a wee little figure OF a
child about nine years old, as l judged, bare
footed, although the night was cold, and
muf1led up in something like the torn half q
ragged coverlet.
ssCome in out of the cold" said, ''and
tell me what you want"
Without saying word, the child walked
into my office. AS it faced the light saw
the wanest and weariest little visage, with
great brown eyes, long, tangled yellow hair,
and white lips, which said, feebly:
Mamma is dying. Please come along
quick, sir"
put on my overcoat and went out with
her, saying:
Good heavens. child who sent you out
in this dress 81 For the little thing seemed
to be in short white petticoats, and without a
gown.
She made no reply, except to repeat, Come
quick, Sir" Out we went.
"What's your name?" said l.
'Snsy.'
"Aren't you cold?"
"No."
'Were you hear last night ~ | said on a
sudden.
Yes
"Who sent you?'
Don't know"
"Why, did you run away ,"
''Don't know
Meanwhile the little naked feet trotted on
in front of me swiftly, and suddenly turning
into Crosby street, dved into dark court
Here she opened door, and 7 followed her
up stairs. We climbed three stories of q
mean, ill-smelling staircase, till she sudden
ly stopped before q door in the attic, which
she opened in turn, so that we went together
into the wrelched garret. The room was
deadly cold, and | saw by Pickering tallow
candle a tireless stove, bare floor and walls,
and every sign of the deepest misery. On Il
straw mattress lay a woman with features
pinched and haggard, her feet bare, because
she had drawn the scanty coverings up about
her chest.
ssWhat can | do fer yon ?" | said arous-
ING her with difficulty
"Nothing," said a weak voice, husky and
broken. II am starved-that's all.n Then
relapsing into the delirium from which my
words had called her for moment, she be-
gan to wander anew,
Upon this | turned to the child. TO my
surprise she was gone, leaving me sole alone
with the dying woman. Kneeling beside
her, l called aloud in her ear and gently
shook her, when she grew partially sensible
"Where is the child ?" | said II want
her to call some one in the house, 50 as to
get little help"
"Child?" she said. "What child ?"
"Susy," said l. recalling her name.
At this the woman suddenly sat up, point
ed across the garret, and exclaimed, ''Susy !.
She's over yonder-been dead these three
days; starved, too, | guess" and so saying
she fell back, groaued, struggled an instant,
and was dead
Shocked at the horror of the scene, slow
ly got up from my knees, and taking the
failing candle, walked over to the far corner,
where a confused heap lay on the floor cover
ed with torn counterpane. | raised the
corner, and bending over saw that the heap
was dead child, and that its face was that
Of the little wandercr who had summoned
me few moments before. As | looked the
candle sputtered and went out and the cold,
pitiless moonlight fell through the broken
panes upon the floor. ! got out and went
home. That's my story, colonel.