Bozeman avant courier. [volume] (Bozeman, Mont.) 1872-1882, 1875-04-30
THE ANGEL ON THE RICK
ETY. STAIRCASE.
By PAUL CORBEN.

win you give it to me? Say, woman
will you give il to me, or snail l.
You shall nothing interrupted poor
|plnchcd lOoKing woman, as she rocked al
|old cradle, that creaked and squeaked Will
every motion, as if it were about to fall I,
pieces.
What did you say? Do you mean Il
tell me that you're not afraid of me?' an
swcrcd Peter Pike. as he suddenly rose VI
under a pile of bcdclothcs that covered al
old beds,cad and, raising his shasgy eye
brows, looked out of heavy, dull eyes a
the woman. who had hidden away in he
pocket the small sum of two shillings.
Haven't you a word to say to me. Han
nah Pike?' persisted the man.
The less say to you the better it viii
be for me; and the longer you lie wher,
yon are the better it'll be for me and th,
children replied IIanrah, in discour
aged tone.
Now, whine, woman; whine, will you
No matter. III let you know who's III
master Of this house.
This house, muttcrcd Hannah. 'Tw,
dingy rooms. with the old, greasy papc
half torn off the walls. It's just fit 70
such a MASTER as you. And look at Xii
lty and Teddy shiycring over that green
wood fire. and this boor forlorn bsby. ly
ing in its cradle and staring at me. IS if
had anything for it. Yes, Pete- Pike,
should think you were the master of thi
house. lis good match for you, no mi:
take, Peter Pike
No more Of your impudcncc. woman
You think I'm about half drunk yet bt
cause I lie here in bed; but when set ou
10 show you who's master you'll sing
different tune. Give me that two shil
llings. now, before I get up and try m.
hand on YOU
You won't get the two shillings.
shall keep them for bread
Bread, bread repeated Peter Pike
Liquors better than bread, and that
what I'm going to have. Give me tn
money woman
Good God!' said Hannah in an under
tone. Hell get it away from me, IN
afraid, and then where shall we get til
next !oaf of bread. And if Rody come
home tonight without cent. as he oftel
does, what will become Of US? Poor hoy
he'd work hard all day to get littl
money for u.s.
What are yor dreaming about' calle'
out Peter Pike, from the old beadstead, o.
which he had once more raised himself.
Are you going to give me that money!
he asked in screaming voice.
No, not penny of il; and If you toucl
me I'll have you locked up. kuo,
where to 20 to complain Of you.'
You shan't have Mammals money!
cried out Kitty.
'Shan't, shan't,' added the little DO
Teddy, on as high key ss he coul
reach.
Master! mastcr!' Rrowlcd Peter Pike
'I'll show these young ones and thei
mother who's master
Ihirsting for another glass, and dctel
minef to get the money to pay for 1t, b
leaped out of bed. But the money hs
euddenly found its way out Of the pocket
where 1t i,sd been hidden, and into Kitty
hand, and Kitty had Is suddenly d,sar
peared. rMaddened by his failure, tn
furious man kicked Teddy into one corn<
|of the room and his mother into anothei
and, plunging his hand into the cradle
seized the baby and rushed to the dool
|exclaiming: There goes your baby, We
man. down the rickety staircase
Paint from the kick she had receive
and horror struck by what had been don,
Hannah sat crouching in tho corner an
making no effort 70 stir. Dead, dead
she said to hersclf; and, IN . momsn1
making an effort 10 rise. she repeated
Dead. dea.,! but must 60 70 her. OF
God! once had : good homA ia nsve
seen that man. / had no baby 70 b mu1
ed. How can I. how can II Bat I mul
20 and take up my dead child. Oh! Psie,
Peter. where is hei Gone for anotht
|dripk. No; there heis now, buried up
Iths bedclothss.'
Mot . sound on the sialrcase,' adde
|Hapnsh .Dead. deailr
And she creps aiong = wen = ~ coul
.Iis ths daov: but Glse had hardly ssache6
lwhen Is opeued, end ~ sav hes hhy
I.hs. MIA faAa r,vesaeA n = clheek A fRno