The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1875-07-09

The shop-man merely said, "Come to
the desk"
AS she prepared to obey, trembling,
confused and astonished, the pretty girl
in the corner, who wore pink bows in her
hair, and who had grown deadly pale,
grasped her arm.
SECT your things and run away,
Christine, before the police catch you.
Quick !"
Christine had snatched the little red
hood, and fled in blind panic and fear,
until she fell at Gottlieb's feet.
The old soldier now listened attentively
to the story.
"She came to me like Gretchen" he
said, with smile Mother Bates could
not understand.
In the night the snow fell. The gera-
mum in the window, pride of all the
children, shrank from the frosty pane
the meagre fire died to single coal.
The old woman had insisted upon giving
Gottlieb n spare pallet in the corner
the children were huddled together on
her side of the room /; Christine sat be-
fore the fire regarding her bruised wrist
piteously. At midnight Gottlieb rose,
and silently motiOned the girl to take his
place. She obeyed wonderingly, and
sank into dreamless sleep. In The cold
dawn Mother Bates discovered that the
man had tainted on the hearth.
Life may become infused with unex-
pocted interest, which stimulates fresh
exertion rather than hope. All through
the night Gottlieb Braun, thinking of
the lost Gretchen, gazed mt the sleeping
child; and when darkness screened a
soft cheek, rose-fushed, swept by silky
lashes, he listened to her quiet breath
ing, forming new resolution, until ex-
haustion overpowered him in the pa
tent vigil. The advent of Christine
Carlen in his life was not such great
event, only Gottliebs portion was such
very little one. God sent this humble
man for you, Christine, slumbering
among the shadows, within reach of
the talons of that great bird of prey
want.
Gottlieb counted the days with hag-
gard restlessness, n slow fever consum-
/ ing his veins, pain gnawing at the very
sources of life. While daylight lasted
he dragged himself about the streets in
search of food, at least, for Mother
Bates's little brood. When he returned
at night Christine was romping with the
children. The old woman, whose
wrinkled brown face, framed i'll a black
hood, was landmark on the thorough
fare where she vended fruit, recklessiy
dispensed apples mt the evening meal,
observing Gottlieb sharply the while.
Little Molly, bright-cycd and saucy,
with n ragged shawl pinned over her
head, was making money in the slush
and mire. Fear of the police kept
Christine from joining in street-sweep-
ing. Sleep refused to visit Gottlieb's
weary senses. What visions came to
him in the night On Tuesday morning
Mother Bates said
Z" You come to the dispensary, my
man."
"What's the usel It's all the old
wounds and the fever" Then he added,
with sudden tears in his eyes, God
bless you, good woman, for taking us
in2 Tomorrow L draw the pension. +"
Thus did he identify himself already
with the Swedish maiden.
Mother Bates scoffed loudly at senti-
ment, tEen paused at the foot of the
staircase to wipe her own eyes on her
gingham apron. Gottlieb was out all
day. When he came back he gave his
hostess n fifty-cent bill, with no other
explanation than that he obtained a
job " in warehouse despite his one
arm. Excitement robbed him of all APP
petite for food. He spent a second
night with wide eyes fixed on the cell
ing, counting the hours, delirium creep
ing over his senses. If he could only
last until tomorrow He aOOuld last,
even if he crept to the goal on hands and
knees. Desperate resolution made him
face the day desperate energy took
him, pallid and trembling, to his post,
and brought him back ut dusk to sink
let. The fire of life only burned in the
sunken eyes. When Christine sat be-
side the bed, he was quiet f; when she
moved away, n spasm of anxiety distort-
ed his features. Billy ran for the doc
tor Molly hushed the other children
the baby hid his head in Mother Bates
lap. The doctor was out.
SO [ went for him." said Billy,
CHANGING curiously and half nervously at
the sick man.
The noise of the street reached this
quiet room only in distant murmur. A
step was heard on the stair. Mother
Bates moved uneasily. Billy, failing to
find one kind of doctor, had chosen an
other, and the difference was not clear in
his own mind. Mother Bates had never
received city missionaries with favor,
ana now one was at the door. Her creed
was a crooked yet self-helpful one.
Every one must get along the best they
can" she said.
He was on the threshold-a grave,
slender man, with dark, calm eyes. Ter
rible indeed if he proved broken reed
How did he divine the very depths of
human need at glance2 With unerr-
ing tenderness he sought i'll Gottliebs
pocket for package of money, guided
by look, and gave ten-dollar bill to
the old woman. Then he bent his ear to
the faltering lips.
Use the-money-to send-the child
to her friends-in the West. She
ws-the-town."
Thus the old soldier made his last be-
quest, and SO, utterly spent in the bat
tie, died. Evening merged into night,
and darkness again Welded 10 the morn