The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1871-12-02
The 7. ]. Magic w ? ord
BY MRS. NJ. A. DENIsON.

1t was one of the lowest most God
fors@akeh localities in town. Police
mcu had q lard beat of it there. Their
hands We're full. what with fights, and
petty thciviug. and drunken women.
and children rs vicious as sin could
make them.
Il rather decent o.d woman sold ap-
pies near the corner but sometimes
it seemed as if Size did ii at the peril Of
her life. iiecayed and broken hon %
tops. damaged windows, and cellars
full of mould, aad damp in every crey-
ice. were seen everywhere in their un-
| wholesome proportions. and out Of
them Issued the fouiest and vileSt Of
| earth's poor. broken, downcast crea-
/ lures. Could it be possible that these
Were tie same human family with the
| fair children and graceful women liv-
! iuw within Il stones throw Of this
| dreadful street Were they alike
Gods creatures? Up from the same
dark cavity came the very will o-tlie-
wi-p OF a girl; a creature with great.
rolling black eyes, @rinly features and
| unCertaiu movements. Was she hap
py. that She danced SO occasioniy
| bursting into some lalf-iorgottel frag-
meit OF song? Presently n swar:iig-
looking boy. all Italian. came along.
No, the girl was not happy. Upweilt
the doubled fists, and oaihs and curses
rolled from her round, full, rcd lips.
She could not have known the mean
ing OF the words.
''Shut UP. You wheip.'F cried
greasy, rlgge6i-ioo!siug man WHO was
passing.
The girl trlraed sharply OF him.
Keep your tongue TO yourself, or
you'll get Il sling OF mud"
just then the little Italian saw that
the apple woman was gazing up tie
street. so he caught ut an apple and
"TIief, Theft cried tie GIRL
"Thief.'' cried the woman. stop
him -
Up came policeman The tianps
gathered from holes. reeling and shout
ing. Two boys began to fight all the
street was bowling.
hIag-tliat was the girls name, and
size had 10 other that she knew Of
stood looking, esultant. after the fly
ing thief. How her face worked !.
What possibilities of beauty lay hid
den under those uniformed features
Poor child, soiied body and soul!
Presently she, too, began TO run. and
jus; at that moment a plain looking.
We'll dressed man WAS turning out OF
;ll alley. Mag struck against him, and
the violence Of the recoil threw her
down. Her forehead, coming in CON
tact witiia Sharp stone, was cut badly.
She did not care for that. but t;.rted !,
look of fury at the man. who now bent
over her.
My poor chiid!, he exclaimed in
accents Of the tendefest pity. I'm
afraid You are very much hurt"
!. Mag looked up. \ strip of blue
; sky between the filthy houses for the
. time arrested her attentions. 1t mis-!
have been because of tie pityine
voice.
Are you very much hurt, dear?'
Dear" Was Mag listening, and
in her right senses? So
''0h 40; faint nothin','' she said
> With a coarse laugh, but the blood r;lr
freely and frightened him.
D ..iIele, come this way" he said. anG
3 took her hand. leading her down tho
T street to a shop. There he had t!le
: wound dressed. and it was curious t
see the grim of ullwaslied dirt disap
, pear, til like that strip of blue sky
something in the clild's face seemet
TO tell Of possible purity and beauty
I Thena piece of plaster was placet
IS over the wound and the doctor gave
!, her something for her dizzy feeling il
:. her head. Tie good man paid linn
and the two went out.
Tie girl eyed her new friend will
: shame and ha.f-distFustftll chances.
Il think I've got {: pair of shoe
;. that will fit you. iii here, = lie said, ailt
took her into a place that looked some
> thing like clothing shop. Then h
found the shoes.
..Do YOU like tliein?" he asked, a
she stood up in them.
No, sir; they are queer to my feet,
i she said, faintly.
: .But you will wear them. won
you? It's getting cold weather now
and besides you are too large to g
without Shoes
Her great eyes sought his. 1t tia
). moment the soul III them startlet
him. ~
..I'il tell you true sir size said f.ur
riedly .smy mother'il put them shoe
= up for liauor.'a
The gentleman looked perplexed.
: DO you know that good man.
women who drink very hard Iav
IS been made good and sober women '?hs
- saie.--a prayer in his heart.
She shook her head.
: My mother viii have it, sir. Sh
don't know what she'sdoing when sli
gets it.. s
And yon, my girl, do you like it,
sWell, sir and tile girls face fairf.
:, famed, = Middlin.''
: Poor Mag; When had she ha
council before, such as She listened t
on that memorable day? She sllyl
followed her new found friend into
light, pleasant room, where were pit
z Z lures anda piano, and girls no olde
of than herself at study, who seemed Yer
in contented and happy. Never. in a
81 her life, had she dreamed Of such po;
=. sibilities as, ina confused way, noa
floated before her. mind.
. You may enjoy all these things
10 you will, my cliild,n were the goo
ut mas parting words And she, nc
the evil, heartiesst thing she had alway