The tribune. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1875-11-17

think even poor people can afford to buy
a turkey once year, if they are high.
The turkey-men have been waiting q
year for this day."
There was twinkle in his eye she did
not see; he looked down into the little
pale face. "I am afraid you don't care
for the turkey-menl" he said, soberly.
She hung down her head, started to
say something, but stopped.
"Well, what is it2" he said, laugh
ing.
.I do like you," she answered, earn
estly; "but the poor people, have
known them always"
They rode Oh for a while in silence.
The hot coffee had worked wonders; the
| blue little hands had stopped shaking,
and the child smiled as she saw the CITY
| lights in the distance.
! "Now you are little more comforta-
BILE" said the turkey-m man, "let us hear
where you are going, and what your
other name is.'
"My name is only Mary and am
going to find my cousin"
| Nonsense !" he said, little sharply.
"Of course you have got name"
"They call me Mary Kent, but
hate it, and won't have it ~ she cried,
passionately.
"Why did they call you that 2" he
asked, gently.
"'Cause my father ran away, and
left me in Granny Coles house, when 1
was little. He pinned paper on nv
dress, that said on it: Left t. pay the
rent"
The turkey-man whistled, and asked if
Granny Cole were good to her.
Pretty kind" said the child, weari-
~. Anyway, she didn't 'spise me like
Sally did
"Who may Sally be2" asked the tur-
key-man.
"She is Granny Coles daughter"
Did Granny Cole send you alone
to the city2" said he. watching her sus-
piciously.
"She told me the other day." said
the child, mournfully, "if ever come
home and found her gone, to 90 to the
city and find my cousin. Yesterday she
sent me off with Sally. an when come
back Sally ran away from me, an 1
couldn't find Granny"
care you quite sure you can find your
cousin9"
She looked up in his face, and laid her
thin hand on his sleeve.
81 never saw my cousin" she said,
calmly. eff Granny has run away from
me, haven't anybody know"
"Why, then, did you come to the
city 2" said the turkey man, wondering
where he could leave her
know the city best" she said :;
Granny used to live there, till week
ago. It is so dark in the country, when
you have to stay alone There are the
market how bright they are I"
1t was the night before Thanksgiving,
in the city as we'll as in the country the
markets shone as they always do the
evening before the great feast. Never
were garlands more green, never apples
more red, or gnbblers more plump.
The turkey. nan drove up and stop
ped.
"Here is as far as I can 90, little
one," he said, as he lifted her out and
stood her safely in the bright light of
the market.
She was pretty child, but pale now,
with blue lips and shaking hands.
Poor little thing % he muttered :;
81 wish they hadn't named her Mary :"
and he entered the market.
Tho market-men beamed on every
body. They rubbed their hands as GUS
toner after customer vanished with the
cold form of some kiud of fowl neatly
covered, all but its feet, in brown paper.
1t was growing late /; the turkey-man
had sold out he waited only to get q
hot supper before starting for home.
He had been thinking entirely of dollars
and cents but as he walked out of the
market he thought of lis home, his wife
waiting alone for him in the great white
house, and his little Mary safe in Gods
home above-he had forgotten the
homeless child left alone outside the
market.
A heavy hand was laid on his arm.
"Stand back a moment !" whispered a
voice. He looked up, and saw q large
policeman watching child at barrel
of red apples.
1t is his little fellow traveller
That's sharp youngster % half
laughed the policeman, under his breath.
This sort of thing is going on here all
tho time. Nothing is safe for mo-
ment."
The little blue hand was already on an
apple. It faltered q moment, then
grasped it tightly, then dropped it.
She hid her face in her hands. The
turkeyman stepped up to her and
touched her shoulder gently. She had
not seen him but, without looking up,
the child knew who it vast was the
only friend she had.
81 couldn't do it Oh, I couldn't! !"
she sobbed. =" But I'm so hungry !"
and she fell against the barrel.
The ataro xuara ob;pipo oold onJ oIao.