Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1878-08-30

rOus sort OF fellow, all the more ready
to befriend woman because she is lone
ly and unprotected.
The services were over, and little
Miss Mint, slipping her notebook and
pencil into her pocket, threaded her
way through the crowd to the side door.
"Good evening, Miss Mint" said a
voice at her elbow, as she stepped out
into the fresh air.
Ellen started and looked up. "Oh,
good evening, Mr.. Darley," she said,
u little confusedly, as she recognized
him.
"Will you take my armP" said Caleb,
offering it in such matter-of-fact way
that Ellen complied ut once, though
feeling more embarrassed than pleased
by the attention.
Il see you are in ny line Of business,
Miss Mint" said Caleb, pleasantly, as
they left the crowded street for one
that led to their boarding house. Ellen
laughed little; and he went on with
Kindness of manner that made you
pardon its bluntness. "And how do
YOU like the lifeP Excuse me if I'm
rude, but can't help taking an inter
est in fellow-laborer, you know"
"You are very kind" said Ellen,
simply. "As for the life, try to like
it, because there's nothing else | can
do. I've tried to find a teachers place;
I've tried to find sewing to do; but it
was no use. I'm sure I'm thankful
there is a way | can earn my bread.
Wasn't the music beautiful to night,
Mr.. DarleyP'-anXious to change the
subject.
YES" said Caleb, rather absently,
for his heart was full of pity for the
little creature beside him, and he was
already debating in his mind various
plans for her relief.
"What a chill there is in the air to-
nightr' he said, rousing himself. His
overcoat was hardly a protection, and
he thought with dismay how his com
paniOn must be shivering under her
thin shawl.
"Well, here we are, Miss Mint. /
must be off to the office. Sit by the
fire till you are thoroughly warm, and
tell our landlady to make you some
thing hot and comforting. see you
have u cold coming on"
"Thank you, Mr.. barley; you are
quite Doctor" laughed Ellen. 81
hope it hasn't taken you out of your
way coming home with meP"
"Oh, it won't take me ten minutes
to walk to the Office said Caleb.
Good night, Miss Mint;'' and he
walked briskly away.
Galeb barley was between thirty
sevefk> and thirty-eight-a big, broad
shouldeNed giant of man, with
strongly marked features, II profusion
of sand& RSir, and an expression of
mingled goodness and determination.
He has had to fight his own way in
life since he was twelve years old, but
the battle, though tough one,
has never made him forgetful of the
sufferings of others.
al wonder, Norah, how long Miss
Mint means to keep this upP"
"Kape what up, ma'am?'
"Why, lying in bed this way, and to
be waited on like lady. | don't
doubt but she's as well as | am"
"Well, l guess you wouldn't say so,
ma am, if you was to see her. She
can't speak above a whisper, and is as
white as the wall As for waiting on,
it's not much she gets of it, poor thing,
for Bridget and | has our hands full
already"
whats the matter with herP'
spoke out Caleb, from a corner, where
he sat reading the newspaper. He
had been away for three days, and only
returned the night before.
"Sakes alive! Mr.. barley, are you
thereP' said Mrs. Starkweather, little
startled. 81 never saw you. What s
the matter with Miss Mint, did you say?
Oh, she's got bad cold, and so have |,
but can't 90 to bed, for all that"
"Is she Uery i'll, NorahP" asked Ca
leb, as his landlady founced out of the
room in quest of something.
"Indade, sir, you'd think so if you
saw her, said Norah, lowering her
voice that her mistress might not hear.
"1t's my belief the poor thing wont
get over it. Her lungs and throat is
that sore she can scarcely breathe; and
her room as cold as all outdoors, and
this morning. do my best for her,
bit it s a sin and a shame the way Miss
Starkweather treats her-she's no more
feelin' than my shoe!'
I'm sorry to keep you waiting SC
for your breakfast, Mr.. Darley," said
Mrs. Starkweather, re-entering. She
was generally very gracious to Caleb
he always paid her promptly, never
complained of his meals, and gave her
very little trouble in any way.
"Do you know If poor Miss Mint has
any friends or relatives anywhere, Mrs
Starkweather?" asked Caleb, ignoring
her remark.
"No, DON'T said the widow. lit
tie snappishly. Then, in a banterine
tone which i'll concealed spiteful feel
ing: "You and she seem to have
grown to be great friends these last
three months, Mr.. Darley."
"The poor young lady seems to need
friends" said Caleb, coldly. Then,
altering his voice little: " You are
the most suitable person to befriend
her, Mrs. Starkwealher, and am sure
you will"
"Well, sir, l do my best, but you
must remember-n
"See that she has a comfortable
room, and a fire, and a doctor, and all
the care she needs" said barley, cut,
ting her short, and putting roll OF
bills into her hands "Say nothing
about this to her, remember" with EN-
phasis. 81 don't wish my name men,
! tioned.'
"Wen, sir, you are generous man,
| must say" said Mrs. Starkweather
as she turned away. But her inward
comment was: "The great fool! Tc
throw his money away on this misera-
BILE little Miss Mint, when the overcoat
he's wearing don't look fit to go out in
the street with! But it's all one to
mep' smiling to herself, as she reflected
that the result would certainly be some
money in her own pocket.
"Well, how is Miss Mint?n she said,
entering the poor girls room, an hour
later. Ellen turned her head feebly,
too weak to show the surprise she felt.
"How are your" repeated Mrs. Stark
weather, trying to twist her acid face
| into N az gl a .