Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-03-16
NO. 65:
Gales aud Sketehes.
THERE'S MANY A MURPHY.
Continued from yesterday

But Joshua was oblivious of the ninety
and nine OF his relatives among whom be-
longed Mrs. Bixby. All that he thought
of was the one that had been lost; and
during the benediction he kept his eyes
firmly fixed upon the now yelled and
dropping form of the widow.
Alas in one moment, in a half second,
she was swept away out Of his sight. The
vast multitude heaved behind him. He
was pushed. driven, bewildered; he hesi-
tated. and was lost. Mrs. Bixby endeav-
ored in vain to reach him with her UNI
brella; Jane beckoned wildly, called in
vain. He needed not. They were driven
on, lost in the crowd, and still he was un-
mindful. What mattered it to him who
was gone, now that he had lost sight of
Kitty? But suddenly in the distance it
seemed to him that he saw her and now
indeed he resolved that come what might
he would not lose sight of her again. He
began to push his way through the crowd.
keeping his eyes steadily fixed upon the
shrinking form, and the people about him
found out that this old man had consider
able push about him. He reached her
side at the door, and they were thrust into
the street together, but with desperate
tenacity he grasped the corner of her
shawl.
Don't be frightened, ma am" he STAN.
mered, II have business with you. II
in fact, ma'am, II am friend. Do
you know lady by the name of Kitty
Mrs. Kitty Murphy ?"
"Yes, yes, SIR" said the lady; 81 know
her well-as well as know myself"
"Aha? ?" said Joshua, taking long
breath, ''thank God. have found you at
last Do you know have. come thou
sand miles to find you? Do you know
that for the last ten years it has been the
dream of my life to see you as you are.
before me9 May go to your home, and
talk with you little out of the crowded
street ?'
She looked at him 10 dazed and won.
dering way, and said, in a sad voice that
went to Joshua's heart, "Yes, you may
come to my home, sir. 1t is a poor one,
but you can come"
"a poor one,' he muttered, as they
went along. "Of course it is. / expect
ed it to be poor" And presently. as they
turned into crooked and tumble down
thoroughfare, into narrow alley. through
dark and dingy doorway, up dilapidated
stairs. into a clean but wretchedly fur
nished room. where the evidences of pow
erty were unmistakable. the face of JOSH
ua began to glow with satisfaction.
Poorer even than l thought" he mur-
INJURED; ION the verge of starvation. like
ly." And unable longer to stife his emo
ton, his joy, his unspeakable gratitude,
he turned to the poor lady and said, in
voice husky with agitation:
at is all over, dear. Thank God, It is
past-al the hardship and agony. I'm
your brother. Kitty-your old brother
Joshua. Don't you know Joshp Don't
you remember the dear old home out
West? It's waiting for us now, dear, ten
times more beautiful than ever. l saw
your husbands death in the paper. He
was killed in brawl. the scoundrel. as
he deserved to be-"
'Hush, sir !" said the lady, Indignantly.
"Nly husband killed in brawl What do
you mean ? He died decently in his bed.
How dare you say such thing? You're
wandering; you're mistaken. sir, or de-
mented-lIeaven knows which,
Joshua sank down upon a chair, the
three legs of which giving way under him
he fell upon the floor.
Didn't you tell me-" faltered the poor
old man, THAT you were Kitty Murphy P'
IL SAID knew of lady by that name.
and God knows l do, and-and"-here
she paused and listened to the sound of
carriage wheels-"here she is" she add
ed, running to the window; "here she is,
God bless her! ~
Joshua staggered to his feet in time to
reach the window and see lady descend
from a carriage at the door. and not word
more was spoken till she mounted the
stairs and entered the room.
g,
the poor woman, ''the best lady and the
most beautiful the sun ever shone upon
She has kept roof over my head, and
food in mine and the children's mouths
the whole dreary winter. God bless YOU.
ma am, he followed me out of the hippo
drome thinking was his sister that's been
lost or dead this many a year. and strange
to say, her name was like your own; but
for that matter, there's many Murphy"
Here the poor woman stopped talking.
finding that her. benefactress and the
strange gentleman were gazing at each
other steadfastly.
Joshua could not take his eyes from the
face of this lovely woman before him.
She was clad in silks and velyets; a faint
perfume touched his senses. She was
creature all of luxury; and Joshua could
not take his eyes from her face.
Her own were fast filling with tears,
and she clasped and unclasped her hands,
and took one little step forward.
Don't tell me- cried Joshua, sternly,
"that you are Kitty Flanders
"Oh!" she said. taking a few more little
steps forward. and throwing herself into
his arms. 81 should just have died if you
had disappointed me. You are Josh. of
course-dear old Josh Oh, how happy
| am Come and get into the carriage
and go home with me right away! Oh,
isn't it perfectly splendid ?" she said to
the poor woman, who nodded her head
with joy. "Isn't it grandP You dear,
dear old blessing" and she coaxed and
pulled poor bewildered Joshua out of the
room, and down the stairs, and into the
carriage.
Home" she said TO the coaehman, and
then she snuggled up to Joshua. put her
perfumed head upon his shoulder, an
burst into tears OF joy.
Which soflened Joshua's heart. Two
or three half-checked sobs escaped him;
but he gazed upon the feathered and be-
laced head the diamond that shopo n, ha-