Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-12-21
NO. 3Ol
Gales and Sketehss.
Written for the Kennebec Journal
LITTLE PAUL.
A CHRISTMAS STORY.
By ARTHUR STACY.
A CHRISTMAS STORY.
BY ARTHUR STACY.
Continued from Yesterday

She rushed quickly forward. and soon
would have been swallowed in the black
water, had not Paul seized her dress. and
held her back
mo, no" he said you must not 1t j.
wicked. Let US stay here no longer. Wen
go from here--it's too dark, Come away
where it's light, up in the bus: street, any
where besides here. come ~
She followed him out OF the darkness
the one who had saved her lite.
The dark river rolled on. cheated of IA
victim, and to little Paul there was credit
ed one soul saved
up into the busy street they went, where
all was life and gayety, where nearly all
| the faces met wore smiles. The merry
sleigh bells jingled, and merry hearts
were present all around. Here was light
here was Joy. Scenes in life, often
change almost as quickly, almost AS com
pletey, as the reader has here seen
The two walked along the bright streets,
now and then pausing before a shop win
dow to see the display within. Here the
lights showed the faces plainly; the boys.
not homely, but wan by poverty the girl
very pretty, but a short time ago--beauti-
ful They looked into the shop windows.
and, for time, became oblvious of their
condition.
Suddenly there was loud shout upon
the street Both turned. A little child's
life was in peril from wild, pranc-
ing horse. The father stood looking, par
alyzed-unable to move. Little Paul saw
the danger. In moment he was in the
street, and beneath the horse 5 hoofs In
| another moment he had saved the child
but a blow from the hoof struck upon
| his head. and Paul lay scnseless upon the
| cold, white snow. 1t was done quickly
All cruel things are done quickly!
The father, when he found his child wa
| safe. stopped over the body OF The uncon-
scious boy-the boy who. thai night had
! saved two souls, He turned to the nun
| Der who had gathered around the spot,
| and said II will take him To my home.
| think he is not badly hurt. But that girl .
That girl who was with him Did any one
| see her Do any oi you know where she
| has gone Kun for her-search Tor her be-
fore she gets away! will give money To
| the one who will bring her To me!'
| The crowd looked about, but knew not
| who to look for, nor where to look. The
girl had gone. And she left little Paul bV
the roadside, where the blood, oozinw
from the wound in his head, made a spoi
OF scarlet upon the snow.
| The man took the unconscious boy IN
his arms, and bore him to his home, !,
short distance away; and when the next
morning, the merry Christmas bells rang
out their chimes, little Paul awoke to view
elegance such as he had never seen before
found himself suddenlyand mys,eriously
brought into the midst of riches and splen-
dor.
| Paul was not seriously injured; though
the doctor told him that he would have to
| lie in bed number OF days. But he did
not hear this sadly; it rather gave him
pleasure for such nice, warm bed IL
| that he had never known before To be-
| sick seemed almost a blessing If one could
repose and get well in such place And
there were kind, pleasant faces about him
watching tenderly over him-a rejoicing
father, thankful mother, who saw in the.
unfortunate street boy the saviour OF their
child. And Paul was happy; for he had
done good deed.
Christmas day was almost gone, and
lights shone brightly all around, as the
wealthy man seated himself bv the bed
side of little Paul.
81 have not asked you your name yet"
he said softly; Twill you tell me?"
They call me little Paul, sir"
Little Paul that is pretty name. in
deed. And do you feel better, now P'
"Much better sir.
lie did not speak again for several mo-
ments. but sat watching the pale face OF
the boy at his side. At length he said,
Can you tell me. Paul, the name of
the girl you were with. just before the ac-
cident, last night can you tell me where
she lives?"
Paul waited little while before reply
ing, thinking. Some parts of last night
seemed blank to him his mind was not
as clear as it was. At last it came to him.
"les, yes, remember" he said. at
was Lottie-they call her Lottie. She
was unhappy last night unhappy like me.
1t was down by the river--it was dark
she would have - But the exertion of
talking had wearied him, and he could go
no farther.
Can yon tell me where she lives.
Paul?'
Again he stopped to think He soon re-
membered.
IAN out of the way place, it is, sir; "A
dreary place; up four flights; the num-
ber isis 20. B-Place. Yes. that is
where she is
The man said no MORE but arose from
| Hio Nbai, anu SpiiJ iCit thO ipOn. iAc
went into the hall, put on his coat and
hat, and soon was in the street. He passed
along wide and handsome streets where
there Were throngs of people; he went
along many of these, till he came to places
more deserted, anu less handsome in ap-
pearance Once he seemed to have lost
the way, but policeman set him right
again; and at last he stopped at the place
that Paul had named to him. He had new
er been there before. He looked around
for the number, and while doing so, a
girl passed by him. He looked earnestly
at her; but she was not the one, and she
passed on.
lie came to No. 20. That was the
.place. The door was open, and he went
in. He had gone up one flight OF stairs,
and was preparing to ascend the second,
when low voice attracted his attention.
The place was dimly lighted. and, in q
recess in the wall, he saw the figure of Q