Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1871-11-10

an awkard way, thereby revealing |
large foot encased in coarse shoe. Mis-
ter job, as he was called, arose anC
came forward. Placing one hand on the
edge of her shoulder, in an innocen
boorish way, he said: "a.
"Thee be fair, lass, an it be a pity
to see thee come wan an thin like the
others. Thee had better go back, lass
an find wark along the country some
where. | doon't like to damp thy spir
its, lass, but l tell thee truth, an thee
can see enough, an more, by lookin
about thee a bit. Come lass, tell me
what sent thee here, for / be afeared
thee art running away from thy hoome
lass; an that be not right"
No, )" she rejoined' dropping hel
eyes, " be poor, an must live, you
know, an so | come here. / couldn't
get work in the country. Do you be
lieve me?"
Aye lass, thee could not lie with
them eyes in thy head Thee speaks
book-like, lass. Thee have been ir
school.
just little"
Singular, upon my word" thought
this man so liberal with his Lancashire
dialect. She has a small hand, a sweet
voice, refined face, but very ruraI
foot Heigho! / suppose she is some
unhappy waif, without kith or kin
Poor child! Earth has misery sufficient
for you and me. What am |? Heir tC
fifteen thousand a year, and drudging in
the Mills of Manchester. Well, have
not yet begged, stole nor murderedl o.
my father--my father, if you could but
see me now in the depth of my humili.
alton"
He sank upon a chair, pressed his
hands to his head, and groaned aloud
The woman gazed upon him an instant
and then resumed her work. Pain and
suffering were her daily companions
and she gave them but little notice; the
maiden, however, earnestly Inquired
the cause of his exclamation, and in
such a tender musical voice that he
startedup and looked at her again. She
retired bashfully and did not speak for
full hour. The next morning she ac-
companied him to the mill, and was Civ
en- loom very near his. He watched
her at intervals during the day, and
saw that she progressed with her work
as well as could be expected. At nighl
they walked home together, and she
was compelled to take his arm for she
was faint and exhausted
Thee must stop this, lass" he said.
Thee will soon wear out, like the child
there. She'll never go in the mill again,
she be going to heaven, she be, and thee
must not die yet; thee must not. I'll
lay off tomorrow, an find thee a place
lass; place to do house work. be not
7 ,,a;,,or 30 thnn ,1,,,n rnnlp
"Why do you care so much for me?'
she queried, artlessly.
"She is lovely. Could / be mad
enough to love her?" he thought and
rejoined: 81 don't quite know, lass, but
it may be thy eyes be the reason. Thee
be not like any see, an thee be good
I'm sure"
The conversation was discontinued
, for they had arrived at the door OF the
cot. As they entered they beheld the
housekeeper kneeling at the side OF the
couch and weeping, while around hel
stood several mill operatives.
The man saw at a glance that the
child was worse, and whispered the
same to Anna. Silently they advanced
and gaZed upon the little sallow face
with its large gray eyes, which now
cleaned brighter than ever. AS the
child saw job her ashy lips parted, anC
with great effort she extended hel
arms. He dropped upon his knees a
her side, and gently kissed the pallic
brow.
sob, thee be good" the faint voice
whispered. "Thee lug me many times
Dear job, be going to die now, and
can't see thee any more, and thee vii
lug Jennie instead of me"
, A spasm convulsed the wan features
the eyes distended, and for a momen
shs suffered acute agony; then her bod!
became still again; but it was eviden
that life was ebbing fast. Job brushed
a tear from his eve, and once NOR
caressed the pinched face, from whicl
the blue veins seemed to protrude.
Dear job, wish had words so
could talk to thee. Kind job, the
helped me lots, thee did, thee alway
did. Take my hand; there, that b
right. | don't feel bad, Job, l be joyce
to 90, cos it be hard here. OH" sh
bent her head back, and her voice be
came almost inaudible-"I be easier u
there, won't /, Job"
4 eyes, yes, my child, you Will NEE
peace, and love, and God"
, Fortunately, none heard his word
save the child and Anna, else his rigf
i character might have been discovered
!, and his life jeopardized, for the oppres
ed people who exc out livelihood j
5 the mills are fiercely jealous. The littl
= sufferer smiled again as the fond yislo
2 of rest came before her mind, and el
( tended her hand toward his. He too
it for the second time, and smoothed
5 gently. She caught Der breath and the
= tried to speak, but the effort ended in
5 choking gasp which shook her who
!, frame. The end was approaching an
l tears were seen in every eye. "De;
: Job" Twas the last spasmOdic RESP
p ration, and simultaneously the hand
e his became still, the eyes CLASSY; Il
:, body was tenantless-the spirit hi
i gone home. job slowly arose, and tur
e ed away only to meet Annals black ey
!, bent upon him in mingled gratitu'
Il and admiration He was thankful
+. this mute expression of regard, eve
Is though it came from one born into Il
It low condition into which he was fore,
it by circumstances. On the follOwil
e, afternoon the child was buried. job al
r Anna, in common with otheroperativC
E. attended the funeral. In the event
d they were alone together in the humt
Is room, and again job wondered why
r, felt such a deep interest in this SIM
girl. 1t panied him to think of her
b, boring in the mill, and the more he
De Aected upon it, the firmer became
o. resolution toput stop to it. But h
could he do it? She had opposed
ry endeavor to find a situation for her a
e. domestic, and she would not 90 il
he the country. 1t was perplexing qu
no ton, and a sad one too, and, singular
lie it may appear, he never asked him'
lie. why it was sad. Thustwo or three d
ny passed, and he could see that her W,
a was wearing upon her, and he felt t
lss ere long she would lose that bright, cl
IN, complexion which had been as sunsh
he in the little cot Was it Egbert III
lot ford that meditated thus-that Ii
this life, and counted so great I'll
of things that once would have beer
w. utterly contemplate? He reproac
al 4 4 = Il L.