The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1874-07-16

It'll be pretty nara LOT 'em at nome II l
don't get back. They need me powerful
bad, they do, cause there's mother and the
children to be took care of, and father
amt overly strong. like to get out Of
work sometimes, but I'd hate mighty bad
not to never help EN- any more"
Silence fell then, long silence. Marion
was questioning doubtfully what differ
ence it would make anywhere if she should
not return This life that she had called
so wearisome few hours before, had
never been made valuable to any one by
real service or loving interest. She had
held her place in society, but then society
had a comfortable way Of doing without
those who slipped out Of it; and as she sat
there leaning back against the trunk of
great tree and watching the snow sift down
upon her dress, her keenest regret was for
Ice and that little home where he was
needed. The boy had given himself to no
such meditation; he had been studying
every possible and impossible plan Of es-
cape, and suddenly turned to his compan-
ion.
essay, Fiddlin' Nathan lives somewhere
t'other side of this holler, and it can't be
very far neither. We must 60 there. I've
seen the place once, and guess can find
it again if you'll help me. Any way tryin'
is better than settin' here.''
Carefully and slowly they retraced their
steps for a little way and began to ascend
the opposite side of the ravine, Joe ex-
planning as they walked:
s'He's queer old teller, ard lives in a
little cabin way out here. Folks call him
Fiddlin' Nathan cause he's always playin'
on an old fiddle when he haint anything
else to do, and he don't have hardly ever,
only little odd jobs now and then. They
say ne spends most all the money he gets
from them buyin' lottery tickets, and
thinks he's goin' to draw himself 'mazin'
rich some day, so don't know what they
live on. There's just him and his grand
child. S'pose mebby Wen find the place
by hearin' him tune away on that old in
strument of his.''
But when at last, after toilsome, painful
effort, interspersed with many pauses for
RESI-, they reached the odd, tiny cabin,
there was no sound Of music nor anything
betokening human inhabitant, Marion
thought, scanning it eagerly. At their
knock, however, small white face glanced
past the window and the door was opened
by fair, quaint little maiden with won
derfully unchildlike look in her large
brown eyes.
"Helloa, Dosie Take in pair of vag-
abonds, can you p questioned Joe.
81 was watching for somebody to come, -
said Dosie simply.
"Was? What made you think any
| body a come such day as this % asked
Joe in surprise, while Marion looked the
same query.
II wanted some one. Grandpa's. He's
been lying on that bed all day, and he
didn't play his violin any, only just a lit.
tie bit this early morning. Sometimes he
calls me Dosie, and sometimes it's othel
peoples names that l don't know. H.
doesn't say he's sick. but l couldn't g
away for anybody, and did wish they't
come"
Even while she spoke she had quietly
brought forward chairs-the only two tn
room contradiction her guests, and stood
waiting for Marion to remove her wrap
| pings. A bright wood-fre cracked an
danced in the old fire. place, but all else i
the apartment was scant and miserable
t As Joe related the misadventures that ha
brought them there, Maricn glanced to
a ward the bed and shuddered at the will
q cred, wrinkled face, almost CHASTITY in i
II pallor, that rested upon the poor pillow.
/, "Dosie!" called weak, uncertain voic
:, and the child sprang to the bedsid
: tsWho's them? Did they bring Il
t, ticket p
o ~No, grandpa, not yet; it hasn't cen
= yet These are friends" she answer
d soothingly. Then as his momentary e
b element passed, she returned to the Fl
is side. sits his lottery ticker. He's 81
it will draw great prize, and he's alwa
ct expecting the word to come, you see, s