The Sumter watchman. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1855-1881, 1871-04-12
One of Life's Stories
BY VIOLET.
"Tis true it is a pity!
And pity tits, tits true"

who there congregate, to bemoan their
weekly shortcomings aud confess them
selves "misersble Sinners" there has
terminated within few months one Of
those solemn tragedies which we some
times call life; and which might posi-
bly, find its counterpart even in our own
gcodly city. l much touch lightly the
tragic events, aud give but passing
glance, for it will not do to introduce to
eyes and ears polite, the darkest shades
of the great limner, sin.
Christian fathers aud high toned
brothers must preserve their wives,
daughters aud sisters from even sus
picion Of the frailty aud crime which
has engulfed so many Of the si>terhood.
Let them devoutly thank God that these
same cherished ones have not, from
poverty aud the rude contacts viii 1T
brings, been placed at the mercy of men
who have like passions with themselves;
who might not be any more noble or
generous than they have been to others.
Am moralizing too loug? Will you
skip this part, eager for the story?
1t was bright, glad summer morn
ing; the air clear and sweet, and every
one, in meeting friend or acquaintance,
said instinc;ively isn't this hne
day ?" Men aud women saunter along
leisurely, as though to prolong the en-
ioyment of the hour but there comes
one who in her haste rather ruiely
iostles against the fairer aud better
dressed women on the street.
Her story of sin and shame is written
indeliblv upon her face, and you would
naturally shrink from so much as her
taudry 6nery brushing against your gar
ments. She hurries On regardless OF the
manv who turn to stare at her, never
once looking at the blue sky which
bends so cloudless over all. Suddenly
she stops, glances up at house, opens
the gate, ascends the steps and rings the
bell; all with such defiant manner,
one wonders what her errand can be-
She asks for Mrs Maynard and says her
business is urgent.
There comes in answer one who is
somewhat accustomed to strange calls at
unreasonable bours, and from her noble
countenance one could pronounce upon
her at once, as large hearted. christian
woman. She is greeted with, 81 came
to you, because | was told Jou would
not be afraid to 90 with me aud pray
with dying girl"
"Shc moaned all night for some one,
and this is the fifth place I've been to,
and all have had some excuse and sent
me to another. might 90 for minis
ter, but somehow l thought woman
would understand better. guess one
of them wonid have gone, but when she
came to know who I am, she looked
frightened aud said, it wouldn't do for
her to 20, her husband would be dis.
pleased I'm called Clara Guin and
my home is on n---street, No.
1t is notorious, but you may never have
heard oft. IT'S bad. place enough
but you can go there and sec nobody
but the poor girl; she's got to die to-
day or tomorrow at the furthest; ;
though she thinks she will live week
or more"
There was no hcsitancy about Mrs
Maynard; she simply said; 81 will 90
with you Immediately"
The sin-covered woman passed on, and
with rapid steps she put quite distance
between herself aud the one whom In
her heart she thought almost saint-
Alta crossing or tura she paused that
she might be in sight, and some fifteen
minutes walk took them to their dlstna
tion. She entered with her latcd-key'
passed in and upstairs wthou: any
pause; opened door and beckcued to
her companion to enter.
On a low couch with but little to
make hcr comfortable there was young
girl, wa ,:ed by sickness, her large black
eyes pret,rnaturally bright, and liked
look Of grief and sorrow upon her death
stricken lace that you felt at once no
earthly comfort could remove.
81 have brought some one who will
pray with you,' said the woman who
had called herself Clara. ado you feel
any easier now"
As Mrs. Maynard advanced he
bedside, she placed her hand upon the
brow so broad aud white, and tho1ght,
surely sometime it must have been
b,nt;zed with mothers love aud kisses.
She said "Poor child, [ have come to
help you if you will let me-" Such a
wistlu, agonized look as met the
mo.herly gaze. The girl said, 81 am
called Kate Ray, tits not my real name,
no one here knows that, for twas buried
long ago Will you hold my hands, do
YOU mind. l have been dreadful wicked
and am afraid to die. had a mother
once and She used to tell me of God ;
but she died years ago, and no one has
tried to make me good since. The one
/ loved best and trusted most, has made
me what am. 1t it a long story, but
may tell you? think it would tighten
my heart some"
Encouraged by the sympathetic looks
nd fearful eyes she commenced, but
.ften had to pause to have her poor
parched lips aud throat moistened by
some drink which had been prepared
for her. =.
She continued, "I lived of in the
country, 1 shall not tell where, for DO
not wish any of them ever to know what
has become Of ne. Our folks were poor.
I'D oonld not dress as we'll as most of