Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1873-02-25


arm, and detained her.
well, Litta, why are you walking so
fast. and alone tonight"
because my mother (for so she had
learned to call Maggie) will be anxious
about me if am not soon at home, and
| am alone because Katie was not well
to day. and could not como with me.
Will you please give me penny| the
child continued, "'tis to buy bread for
children"
80 yes, my little girl, If you will come
with me to my house. will net keep
you long. and will give you something
good to carry home to your mother"
This decided Litta, and placing her
hand conidinsly in that OF the woman.
she very gladly accompanied her. think
ing all tho time what joyful surprise
she would give Maggie and the children,
whom she should return home with the
unexpected delicacy. They had uavers-
ed many streets and were now in To-
cality which was entirely unknown TO
Litia. Still her little feet pattered along
at the side of her conductor, until they
had gone so far, that she feared il would
be- late before she could retrace her steps,
and stopping, she said: al must not go
any l.uther. II is getting dark, and /
must 20 home"
( What. without the nice things would
send to Your mother? No, no. little
white iace, here we ars-you will have
no laiiher to 60"
/ Giasping her hand still more tightly.
she led her upa flight OF rickeiy old
Stairs on the outside OF the building, and
drew her into "A low room ut the top. II
was by this time. SO dark. that the child
could not distinguish objects in the room
but taking her slight form in her arms,
her companion placed her in n chair.
There, my little lady," said she. stay
there until get light, and will soon
tell you what have brought you hero
for"
The light WAS soon procured, and turn
ing its rays full upon her face she said in
different tone from that in which she
had previously addressed her, "Do you
know where you are?"
"No nu'am. But Indeed, must be
going"
ella, ha. YOU must, ch? Do you know
me child ?" she added, coming nearer to
the bewiIdercd girl.
NO. ma'am ncAr saw you before
to night"
"Wcll. I've seen you great many
times my little lady. and like You so
well that am going To have You live
with me-"
20 no. no can't, must go home" "
said Lilla, now thoroughly frightened n:
the changed manner OF the woman, and
sliding from the chair, she approached
the door, and tried to open it.
"lla, ha. little bird. the cage door amt
open, is it?"
In vain, the little fingers tried to force
open the door it was locked. and the
key was in her tormentoT's pocket.
Come here. child" at length she said,
"no more iooling Come to me, say,
she repeated, stamping her foot heavily
IN upon The floor rs she hesitatcd. The
poor little terrified creature took a few
steps towards her. then bursting into
tears, she begged to be allowed to go
home.
"Homc, simpleton !" said the woman,
Il tell you this is to be Your home, and
YOU are 10 live with me So let me hear
no more about il, OF ii will be worse Tor
YOU. Do you heare" she said, rs the
poor thing continued to sob as il her
heart were breaking. Whats your
name. child?"
"I.itta Percington," answered the child
in choking voice.
so you told me before, but it's lie.
Peggy Janson is your name, and IL will
be well for you if you remember it. II
you ever say again that your name is
Litia Percington, OF any but Peggy dam
son, will soon make you repent it. L
will have no liars about me-"
The child had hushed her sobbing, and
was glancing hurriedlY and eagerly
around the gloomy apartment. That's
your game. is it'" she continued-"well,
get out, IL you can; but mark me, and
remember that never tell lies. If you
do run away, or disobey me in anything.
I'll whip you severely. So if you want
to be safe. just mind what l say, will
YEP" and her fierce eyes glared on her
like the eyes of a wild beast on Its prey.
She looked indeed like lamb in the
rmerciess clutches OF the savage wolf.
She had sunk powerless upon the floor.
as those dreadful threats were Kissed into
her ear. and the fierce eyes seemed burn
into hen brain.
"Get up, and come here" The child
obeyed, for fear of this brutal woman
was already paralyzing her very soul.
"Sit in this chair, and don't you stir until
| come back"
GIasping her arm roughly, she seated
her in the chair she had just quilted, and
taking the light left the room through an
inner door. Presently the door reopen
ed, and she entered the room. She was
truly most loathsome and repalsive
looking object Long, tangled gray