The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1876-01-19

oolhS pieces Vi Teu klu. OniY the
youngest chewed the kid. And the
fact that mother and the basket we're
gone together Impressed them with Tie
hope Of provisions.
Meanwhile Becky had gone begging
1t would be horrible, no doubt, she
thought, to take food from strangers;
but she found there was one thing
even more terrible, not to take it.
Door after door was slammed ia her
face. Once dog was set on her or
she thought so. Professional beggars
had made themselves nuisances' TO
many people, and how were they to
know when real poverty asked. Men
whom they pitied as paupers proved
to be owners of real estate. Cripples
aud blind men whom they had aided
we're found to have bound up strong
limbs and glued their eyes together
so they we're hard on real distress and
refused it broken bread. At six that
evening Becky stood at street cor
ner with one crust in her basket mo
more.
Beyond lay pawnbroker's shop.
and Becky looked at its golden balls
and her wedding ring. She had worn
it fifteen years and ii was thin and
frail, but pure gold Through all she
had kept it until now. Must it go?
The thought was worse than begging.
Becky took a step forward, another
back. Then she began to cry little.
Nick's ring that he had put on her
hand so long ago-oh dear
But she grew brave again and walk
ed into the shop, and 2awned the ring.
1t was not very much they gave her
for it, but it would buy supper and
perhaps Nick would not notice. and
perhaps she could get it back. That
was very faint perhaps" however.
A woman was in the pawnshop as
she waited bargaining with the pro-
prietor over suit of little girls cloth
ing-costly things, strangely out of
place in her hands. Becky noticed
this, saying to herself that they were
never fairly come by. But she had
forgotten all about it when, coming
out OF the bankers little voice fell
on her ear, and looking down, saw a
barefooted child of fadr, in wretched
rags, sobbing so very piteously. Becky
was soft of heart, but in poor quarters
crying children are common enough,
and her own were waiting for the
loaves in the basket. She ran on
hastily and SO upset the toddler. Then
Becky needs stop and pick her up.
"Why don't you go home to your
mother this night time" she said, "and
not stand around here?''
And little silver voice answered.
81 cant find mamma. cah't find my
home. Where is mamma ?"
Becky knelt down. A white head
of crumpled curls, and pair of blue
eyes and swimming tears, she could
! lust make out AIn tIl
"Ill take you home-only say
where" she said. a...
But the child could tell nothing. 1t
was plainly lost. Becky took it in
her arms aud made inquiry at the
corner grocery, where she bought
slice of ham; but no one knew the
child. 1t was growing late, too, and
Becky would not leave the child to its
fate.
"Ill take it home," said she "aud
to morrow find its folks" r
So when the cobbler and his chill
dren saw the door open at last, there
entered by it, not only their mother
and basket but baby also.
| A new baby came frequently to that
establishment; and the children, in
their view of sush matters, opined they
had another little sister. oa
"It's poor lost child" said Becky,
"I'm going to keep it tonight. It's
parents are poorer than we are, yon
can see by its bare feet and one little
frock, poor thingi Now hold her,
while cook supper. ! didn't beg it,
Nick, so don't fret" ad
! And then, keeping her ring, finger
out of sight, Becky fried the ham, and
made gravy, and cut bread, and sent
for two cents worth Of milk-which
judiciously diluted made quart of
milk and water, and tried to be very
cheerful. ft'~
The lost child cried. Bot Becky
fed it, and so coaxed it to talk. Then
came a story of "bpe dessr and a
"nassy woman"
| The youngest, who had ehewed the
red kid, acted as Interpreter. Soon it
was discovered that some woman, de-
seribed as "nasty" had taken away the
ehild's blue dress, and other garments,
and then had whipped her. aaal
Becky listened intently.
"That dress was blue, Nick" she
cried. 81 knew it wasn't hers-a tip