The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1877-02-08

above us, wretched, suffering and alone.
1t will be hard winter for the poor, so
many are out of employment, and, early
as 1t is, the weather is bitterly cold. We
shall have hard struggle to combat the
wretchedness and disease that cold and
hunger bring in their train, and, great
efforts must be made to bring assistance to
the poor creatures"
could I help you, Howard!"
do you really wish tor And an
eager, questioning look came into his
eyes, accompanied with glance of ad.
miratiOn such as he had never bestowed
upon her before.
~ will try, if you will tell me how"
WAS it kindness to that poor boy that
brought you to Baxter street to-day,
Maud p
"Yes, Howard" smiled Maud; ait
was affection for Jenny, pure and
simple, that sprang into existence upon an
acquaintance of half an hour, which made
me fOrsake the sacred precincts of the
Avenue and come to Baxter street to-day.
Have your approval, most reverend
sirY"
0Ou UlCSS yOu, UCtI!
What wealth of tenderness went into
those four words! Then, with a single
clasp of the hand, he stepped aside to let
her pass, and Maud went on, with Jem-
my clinging to her skirts. What had hap
pened to Baxter street? Whence had
come the light that lit up the loathsome
tenement until it shone like q palace ?
what made the filthy sidewalk seem a
path through fairyland? and whence
came the glory that gilded the horrible
surroundings with such strange and
wonderful beauty? Only Maud saw
the illumination, and she thought it
came from the light in Howard Langly's
eyes.
Thus Jenny went to live in the Fifth
avenue with Maud, whom he worshiped
with all the strength of his grateful little
heart. He had a coat now full of bright
buttons, like that of the wonderful Jeems,
Joe used to tell him about. His princi-
pal duty was to open the great doors Of
the vestibule for the entrance of Miss
COngdOn's guests. And the one who
sought admission Oftenest and received
the warmest welcome was the Rev. How
ard Langly.
Maud's first expedition to Baxter street
was not her last. The barriers of indo-
lence and selfishness that inclosed her
heart had been shaken by the appealing
touch of Jemmys little hand, and melted
away altogether through the enrolling in
tluence Of Towards grave and earnest
teaching.
More and more chilly grew the search
ing winds, coming steadily from the
north; louder were heard the sad stories
of privation and suffering among the
poor; and, cold and grim and bitter, the
winter settled down upon the city. Faith
fully and earnestly Howard worked day
by day, endeavoring to alleviate, SO far
as lay in his power, the misery he saw
around him; and Maud shook herself
free of the many claims that society made
upon her, to follow him in his wander
ings and assist him in his arduous work.
Side by side they breasted cold and sleet
and snow to carry comfort and cOnsOla-
ton to the wretched homes where disease
and restitution we're holding their horrid
carnival. Together. they set themselves
to work to arrest the progress of the war
of destruction waged against their help
less fellow beings by starvation and sick
ness, stalking together hand in hand.
Many hungry mouth they fed, many u
shivering form they clothed, and many a
bitter and despairing heart they cheered
and comforted. But to Maud and How
ard it seemed as if little had been accom-
plished by their earnest efforts in compar
ison with all there was to do, and their
hearts were often heavy with the thought
when they returned to their homes in
the gray twilight, weary with their days
work.
When Maud reached her house at even
ing, after her visits among her poor
friends, Jenny was always waiting at
the doOi ready to receive her, full of eager
questions and overwhelming in his loving
attentions. Then he would follow her to
her room, and, after convincing himself
that she had everything about her that
could contribute to her comfort, she would
creep quietly downstairs and wait pa
tiently for her to appear.
Jenny, you little fire worshiper," ex-
claimed Maud, one evening, as, rested
and refreshed by bath and fresh toilet,
she entered the drawing-rOom and found
the child standing upon the hearth, gaz-
ing earnestly into the depths of the brill
liant fire. What are you thinking
abOut?'
Thinking how nice and warm and
comfortable it is here, and how dreadful
it used to be out in the streets all alone in
the cOld;" and Jenny shuddered at the
recollection of his old, sOrrOwful life, and
the tears came into his eyes. "Oh, Miss
Maud, you are SO good to me, and love
you sop
Then he came close to where she stood,
and softly kissed the hand that hung at
her side on level with his lips.
Dear little Jenny! Have l made
you happy, little boy, since l have had
you with meg" And she knelt down be-
side him and drew him tenderly to her
breast.
Thus Howard found them, locked in
each others arms, with the dusky shad-
ows of twilight gathering around, and the
ruddy freight cleaning on their happy
faces.
Tenderly he bent over them, and, gent
ly raising Maud, transferred the clinging
hold of her yielding hands from the neck
of the boy to his own broad shoulders.
Will you give her to me, Jemmy!"
No." said Jenny, stoutly; and as
Howard led her to sofa and seated her
by his side, the boy followed them, and
buried his head in her lap.
- Aal VI AcI, Iuen, Jenny Z! Smlleu
Howard.
Yes, half-perhaps," said Jenny.
his regard for Howard struggling hard
with Jealousy in his generous little soul.
And thus, with Jemmy's arms around
her neck and Towards round her waist,
Maud sat, subdued and silent with the
sense of her own exquisite happiness,
until Jeems. The Magnificent, in all the
glory of holiday attire and preternaturally
shiny boot legs, broke in upon the quiet
scene. and announced, in his mostsolemn
tone, "Dinneru'
"Oh, horrOr!" shrieked Mrs. Grundy-
" only the assistant at st. JcrOmc's. D.
Harper's Weekly
The Distance OF the Sun.