The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1875-02-12

ferry. we crossed the Terry anu
walked up Fulton avenue for short
distance, until she went into small,
neat looking fancy store, and did not
come out Then put on my thinking
cap again / first looked at the name
on the store. 1t was Smith-Mrs. Il.
r. Smith.
/ suddenly remembered that my
mother or somebody else wanted some
ribbons, and after had looked to be
sure she was not there, l went in.
| bought the ribbon from nice lit
tie woman, then ] got desperate and
made up my mind that [ would find
out the girls name at any rate.
Il beg your pardon" said, ''out may
| trouble you to give a note to the
young lady who has just came in
here ?"
"To Miss Holland 2" said she, with
look Of surprise.
| could have kissed her for falling
into the trap SO nicely.
"Yes," said l, 81 am a friend of
her's,'-and SO | was, bless her-"but
have been out of town, and could not
find her direction. could not speak
to her inst row, she was so far ahead
Of me. but if you will take Il note to her
shall feel m lch obliged"
The pretty little woman hesitated a
minute knew the story was clumsy,
but it was the best | could think of,
and trembled in my shoes before she
spoke again.
Miss Nora hasn't been here but a
II -o:I of 70,
! knew all her name now-N ora Hol-
land-"and / don't know much about
her friends. Her mother is so much
trouble that she doesn't get a chance
to get out much after she comes from
her teaching"
".sn't her mother any better 20 !
said, rs innccently as could.
NO; don't ii ink sheis. She can't
walk any
Il am sorry" said. al know it
may look a little strange, but if you
land, assure you that it viii be all
right"
"ycry we'll" she said, after giving
me a hard look once more; you can
come to the desk
So wrote, and this is what said,
as well as l can remember:
"Miss Holland Ny name is Henry
Hunter. | am street car conductor on
Second avenue, IN New York City. | am
an honest man. and / have come to tell you
true story, though it may look strange to
you. ] have seen you ride ON my car, and
have wat ched you when yCu did not know
it. | do not know you and have only Just
L
you as | never did of anybody before, and
| beg of you to let me make your acquaint-
ance. If | had Known any other way to
become acquainted with you should have
done SO, but | did not. | have told this
lady that | am a friend of yours-I am
there is nothing | would not do for you that
any friend would. ! can refer you as TO my
character to MI, the superintendent
of the Second avenue car line. and to Rev.
Mr.--, the pastor of the church where
my mother and | attend. / have tried to
forget you, but l cannot.
II beg of you to see me, if only once. and
I assure you that am honest and sincere
i'll what have said.
Yours, respectfully,
HENRY HUNTER
This note I folded and directed to
Miss Nora Holland, and waited while
little Mrs. Smith trottcd up stairs with
it. She was eperhaps ten minutes,
but it seemed like ten hours. | grew
cold and hot by turns, and tremblcd so
! could hardly keep my seat. At last
heard her quick little footstep.
You can come up stairs, Mr.. Hun
ter" she said, opening the door. She
pointed out the stairway, and went
back to the shop. | fairly staggered
up the stairs. At the right Of the
landing was an open door. The chairs
and tables danced before my eyes as
looked in, but by great effort of
will controlled myself as the same
figure th:t | knew so well, though I
had seen it so little, with face, not
pale now, bat with pretty blush on
each cheek, came forward
g. could not speak. She held out
hand. al remember you," she said,
simply. Here is my mother" she
said as she led the way to the CRATE
fire, by the size of which an old lady
with gray hair and a sweet face was
sitting. "Mother,n said she, "this is
Mr.. Hunter, the gentleman who was SO
kind to me when | hurt my foot get
ting into the car You remember"
"Yes," said the old lady; that was
when the Gibson's were so kind 10
you"
"Never mind that" said the daugh-
ter
| remembered how the hot tears
were in her eyes that day.
You never went back to Sixteenth
street ?'' said
No" she replied, "but did much
better soon after. l only teach from
halfpast eight to twelve, now, and
have two dear little pupils on Thirty
fifth street"
We both felt little awkward, and
hardly knew what TO say next; but it
soon wore away, and if Mrs. Smith