South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1875-09-10

sAhu iooheu III upon as SAD q scene as
shall ever, dare say. see.
There in the bare room sat asleep in
her chair, the widow lady who came a.
bout the machine. and could see that
In her face which told plainly enough
that the pain and suffering she must have
been going through for years would soon
he over; and, situated as sho was. it
give me kind ofturn.
Its no business Of yours" said TO
myself, roughly; and turned then to
look at who it was bending over my ma
chine.
could see no face, only slight fig-
ure in rusty black and pair Of busy
white hands were trying very hard to
govern tho thing, and to learn how to
use it well.
$50 that's the gal, is it J" said TO my
self. "Ah! Luke, my boy. you've got
to the silly calf age, and l dare say
got no further, for at that moment
thegirl started, turned round, and turn
ed upon me n timid, wondering face,
that made my heart give queer throb.
and couldn't take my eyes off her.
Hush" she said softly, holding up
her hand and saw it was as thin and
transparent as if she had been i'll.
My names Smith," said, taking ont
scrcwdriver. MY machine how does
it go? Thought I'd come and see.''
Her face lit up moment, and she
came forward eagerly.
I'm so glad you've come" she said,
1 can't quite manage this
She pointed to the thread regulator,
and the next minute L was showing her
that it was too tight, and somehow, in a
gentle, timid way, the little witch quite
got over me, and 1 stopped there two
hours helping her, till her eyes sparkled
with delight, as she found out how east.
ly she could now make the needle dart
in and out Of hard material.
do you think you can do it now?" 1
said.
''Oh, yes. think so; am SO glad
you come"
so am l." says I, grufiiy ''it will
make it all the easier for you TO earn the
money, anu pay for it,
And will work so hard" she said,
earnestly.
That you will, my DEAR" l says, in
spite of myself, for felt sure it wasn't
me speaking, but something in me-
''She been ill long?" said, Lodding to-
ward her mother.
Months" she said, with the tears
starting in her pretty eyes; "but," she
added, brightly, IL shall have enough
with this TO get her good medicines and
things she can fancy and rs looked
Mt her. something in me said:
God bless you, my dear hope
you will" and the next minute / was
going down stairs, calling myselfa fool.
They thought l didn't know at home,
but did; there was the wife going over
and over again to Benefits place and
all sorts of nice things were made and
taken there. / often used to see them
talking about it, but | took no notice ::
and that artful scoundrel, my boy Luke,
used to pay the half-crown every week
out of his own pocket, after going to
fetch it from the widows.
And all the time told myself didn't
| like it, for I could see that Luke was
changed and always thinking of that
girl-a girl not halfgood enough for him.
| remembered being poor myself. aud
hated poverty, and / used to speak
harshly to Luke and the wife, and feel
very bitter.
At last came an afternoon when |
knew there was something wrong. The
wife had gone out directly after dinner.
saying she was going to see sick wo-
mani knew who it was, bless you -
and Luke was fidgeting about, not him
self; and ut last he took his hat and
went out.
They might have confded in me-" !
said, bitterly: but all the time | knew
that | wouldn't let them. They'll be
spending money-tbrowing it away, /
know they've spent pounds on them al,
ready"
At last got in such way that
called down our foreman, left him in
charge, and took my hat and went after
them.
Everything was very quiet in Ben
| netts place, for a couple of dirty, de-
jectcdlooking women, one of whom was
! in arrears TO me, had sent the children
that played in the court right away be.
! cause of the noise, and were keeping
guard so that they should not come back.
went up the stairs softly, and all
was very still. only as got nearer TO
the room | could hear bitter, wailing
cry, and then 1 opened the door gently
and went in.
Luke was there standing with his bead
bent by the sewing machine the wife
sat in n chair, and on her knees, with
her face buried in the wife's lap, was the
poor girl, crying rs If her little heart
would break while on the bed, with all
the look of pain gone out Of her face, lay
the widow-gonc TO meet her husband
where pain and sorrow are no more.
couldn't see very plainly, for there
was a mist like before my eyes; but
know Luke flushed up as he took step
I forward. as ito protect the girl, and the
wife looked at me in frightened way.
But there was noneed, for something
that wasn't me spoke, and that in n We
| ry gentle way, rs / stepped forward.
raised the girl mp, and kissed her pretty
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