The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-09-16

They had been very poor, sne saiu, eVcr
since her father died, ard that was when
she was about ten years old. Her moth
er had supported them with her needle,
and then Joscv-she said that was her
name, Josey Carroll-had been able to
sew too; and thus they had managed to
live, but that was all, and then-the walt
er came In with large covered basket.
which Caleb seized; and, after he had
paid the bill. he tucked Josey under one
arm. and they hurried up the steep saloon
stairs and out into the starlight and the
glare of street lamps again. ...
They took n car, and about twenty
minutes later were finding their way up
q dark courtyard, into narrow alley, up
flights Of rickety stairs. and 50 to a room
on the top floor of tumbled-down tene.
ment house, which was Josey's home.
There was no fire in the little stove; a
futtering butt OF candle burned on n
rough pine table; and upon the floor. up
on mattress. and covered with few
old quilts and rags, lay huddled the Wild
owed mother and the poor little brother.
Caleb dropped his basket, and, saying
that he would be back in moment, fled
to corner grocery which he had seen a
boy about closing rs he passed. =,
Five minutes later he was back In the
room. with the boy following, ladened
with coal. wood and candles.
Then he made the fire with his own
hands-an accomplishment he had learn
cd when he was a boy at the old home
stead. .a ....., l.....,..--.. ....-.-. ...,.
The candles were lighted. the table was
spread, the mother and little boy were
seated; and when they were fairly ut
work. and he saw how hungry they were
then Caleb broke down.
He went and opened the window. and
looked out at the stars; but he didn't see
them. Cor his eyes dropped tears too fast.
And presently white hand was slipped
into his. and as he turned around, Josey
said, Don't cry you have made US all so
happy, and you have saved us so much!
Don't cry
Caleb pressed her hand; then he looked
Mt his watch. and said he must 60, but he
would come to them the next morning.
And then he shook hands with them all,
and went out. while blessings and prayers
of the poor widow followed him.
1t was nearly daybreak before Caleb
had finished his ofiice-work, and got home
tn his boarding house; but mt ten o'clock
he was again in the room IN the tumble
down tenement-house.
II was nicely sweet. and bright fire
burning, and tho few bits OF furniture
made to look rs home-like rs possible.
And three smiling faces met Caleb
when he entered, and welcome that
made the young man blush for very
shame. That was the last day they spent
in the tenement house.
Caleb. delighted to have some one to
spend his money on, found them comfort.
able apartments. neatly furnished; hunted
up some lady friends of his, who gave the
widow all the plain sewing she could do,
with the aid of sewing-machnc, which
Caleb furnished her; got Josey n profita-
BILE position in public institution; and
what them
Well, then-that is to say, about six
months after, when the public institution
gave Josey fortnight's holiday, Caleb
took the whole f,mily-the little brother
had been going 10 school all this time
ovt in the country to the old homestead.
And when the fortnight's vacation was
over Caleb wrote to the Directors OF the
public institution resigning Josey's posi-
ton; and one bright summers morning
he tucked Josey under his arm once more.
and the widow, and Caleb's uncles aud
aunts. cousins and friends, all strolled
quietly down the quiet country road and
into the little village church; and there
Josey and Caleb were married. And rs
the two widows had become fast friends,
they lived together at the homestead.
while Caleb took his little wife-thin and
pale no longer, but plump and flushed
and happy as any robin-back 10 the
great city. And surely It Is recorded
somewhere by the good angel that Caleb
never again should be unhappy, or regret
that he had taken to wife the poor, little,
hslfstarved girl no had found in the
strCet