The Canton mail. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 18??-1882, 1875-07-17
VOLUME XI.

professional beggars." Soon @ police
man touched the half-frozen boy on til
shoulder and babe him "move on ,
and, in obedience to the stern mandate
little Dan picked up his box and wear
lily trudged away.
Starvation Hospital" the place wa
commonly called. It was one of thos
dilapidated and neglected frame tene
ments which swarm with human being
very much as a wharf hole swarms will
rats. The building had been erected
years before and used az planning mill
but when trade and enterprise departed
from the neiehborhood the old strtctur,
was hastily altered into lodging house
and after its owner had derived in rents
therefrcm treble the total cost of the
building, the place was permitted to &c
20 decay, and each year it sunk lower in
the grade of human habitstion. None
but the most destitute could be induced
to live there, and yet it's barren, i'll
kept rooms were always full.
In one of the r. oms, lighted only by
small attic window, and approached
by series of ricketty stairways, and
dark, vermin infested corridors, woman
lay dying OF consumption. Exposure
and want had brought the disease and
nurtufed it so assiduouely that death
seemed but to toy with its victim. The
room was small and destitute of furni-
t1re nothing save the low iron bed
stead, upon which reposed the emaciated
form of the dying woman, was there to
relieve the barrenness OF the apartment.
bent and broken candlestick stood
empty uron the broad, wooden mantel-
| piece. The brick fireplace underneath
| contained bed Of ashes-notning
more. Through the broken window
| sash the winter winds came at will, and
| found a passive unresisting subject for
their cruel sport on tho straw-covered
cot.
The eound of shuf1 ing footsteps along
the corridor at last aroused the woman
from her lethargic condition, and caused
her to turn her head eagerly towards
the door, ss il expecting some pleasant
arrival. The iron latch was lifted and
the door swung open, admitting the
small form of little Dan. He advanced
into the room softly. placed his box on
the floor at the head of the bed, and
kneeling down upon it leaned over and
kissed the wan cheek of the invalid,
saying in low voice, How do you
we're fastened intently on the face of
q
motion she stroked his dark, curly hair,
Poor Dan, you have been unsuc-
cessful -
eyes; had luck to-day, mother r.
answered the lad, erdeavoring to speak
cheerfully, but unable to suppress the
sob that struggled ND from the tender
heart, ,ucbed to the quick at sight of
bis mothers patient suffering little
Dams lips guivered pair fully for an
instant and then, burrying his head in
the thin coverlet, he gave expression to
his feelings by flood of tears. ooh,
mother" he cried, "we are starving"
The only answer that came from the |
lips of the agonized mother--herself |
nearly beyond the reach of the fortunes
Of hunger-was, My poor child my
with one arn, she drew him close to |
her, while with her other hand she |
sought to cover him with a corner OF |
the we'll worn blanket, which constituted |
her sole protection from the blasts of |
air that came in through the broken |
window.
ssNo, mother no I" exclaimed the |
little fellow, resolutely starting Cp from
his kneeling posture, and carefully re-
placing the blanket over his mother.
you mustn't do that. am not very
cold, and besides, can build q fire."
saying which he drew from his pocket a
match and a bit of crumpled paper,
which he held triumphantly before his
mothers eyes. Then he proceeded to
dem"lish his Improbable 5lacking box
by kicking in the sides AID pulling the
pieces apart with his hands. Soon he
had quite pile of splinters, ana laying
them carefnily over his bit Of paper on
the deed sshes in the fireplace. he set
five to them. and . cracking, cheerful
blaze sprapg up as the reward for his
pains. "Look, mother, isn't that
splendid ?" he exclaimed. turning eagerly
to receive his mothers appreciation, fer.
getful !or the moment OF ell his fl oubles
in the glowing heat of the burning box.
A SO, tender smile rested on the
mothers face, and ahe was about to
reply, when the door was pushed open,
and ladys voice was heard to say,
" Mercy on us what place I" and then
the door was thrown wide open, and
two richly dressed ladies crossed the
threshold. It required little observa-
ton to tall them that they stood in the
presence of Sickness and restitution.
They were two active members of the
Perciyal Square Church Relief society,
and they had come to seek worthy sub
u
Dan got up from the floor, and with
instructive politeness motioned for them
10 draw nearer to the fire. "We amt
got no chairs p he said; ssbut we are
70 glad you have come" --
Mrs. Jealous and Miss Prim ex-
changed COMMUNICATING glances, and the
'oxmer, turning to Dams mother. in
1uired feelingly, care you in great
1eed of anythingT' EEF Igsgs .sgssSs.
" We have nothing, madam, but what
vou see here, was the answsr. Z" Ny
on and myself have not tasted food 9
Iince yesterday morning"
And mother, inteFposed little Dan,
is very SICK
This is suffering, indeed I" said
MrA Zealous to her companion. "We :
must do something to relieve these PEG !
der
81 do not want for myself, proceeded (
he dying woman "1 shall eoon be
beyond the need of earthly care; but g
ny poor boy please take care of him,
aides please keep him from want !" q
Most assuredly we will, my good t
woman, and We will help You also," re- l
sponded Miss Prim, with some warmth. t
" Mrs. Jealous, we must bring this case
70 the attention OF the society without v
DELAY" {
Eyes, it shall receive attention the t
very first thing tomorrow, and am r
sorry that I have no change with me =
now, for l suppose you are hungry, nv f
little man ?" continued Mrs. Jealous.
placing her hand on Dams head. g
"Yes'm, porty hungry" answered
the boy, with look full of disappoint
nent aad grief. 4
"Well, keep up your courage, cheer '
ly responded Miss Prim, as the two
aides turned to depart, 1--WE will come ]
,o-morrow and bring you something"
Little Dan made 20 reply. Long
had made him pstient and
brave and, al the two votarles of char
ty descended the ricketty stsirways to l
The street, he silently crept to the head !
IF his mother cot, and kneeling on the !
floor YEARLY laid his head beside hers j