The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1878-09-11
FRIEND IN NEED.
by MARY Z ,

stood by the counter holding q large
package for the dealers inspection.
Her ewes followed his motions visit
fully as he took it and removed the
paper wrappings, displayed the lus-
irons folds of a silk dress made in a
ouaipt old-fashioned style.
Glow much you vant!" he SAID,
at last.
"My mother thought five dollars
would be little enough for it. The
silk is very good. 1t was her wed
ding dress"
The man raised his eyes and hands
in establishment:
Give dollars The leetle Miss IS
not in earnest. ! will geef but two"
The child's lips quivered, but she
did not speak.
"vell, | viii say three, but IT'S TOO
much. The-vat you sayY The
stbyle is old-too DID," and with a
d~eprecating suggestive shrug OF the
shoulders. he placed the money in lit
tie Adelaide's outstretched palm. As
she received the dingy looking bills
and the accompanying as dingy pawn
ticket. she turned with a disappointed
sigh. toward the door. What follow
ed was the work of a moment. A
rough locking young hsnger-on about
the place saw the bills 10 her hand,
as she came out into the street, caught
them from her with a jeering laugh,
and then ran swiftly away with his
booty.
For q moment she stood bewilder-
ed, hardly realizing what had hap
pened. Then with a cry of "Ob, my
poor mother :" she sank down upon
the steps and began to sob bitterly.
Bot help was near. A passing
stranger had witnessed the theft, and
had given indignant pursuit, and
forced the young misereant to dis
gorge his plumber. Then. Fastening
back to. the side of the sobbing girl,
he said
Here is your money, little one.
Don't ever be so careless again, es-
pecially in q ncighborhood like this"
By this time a group had gathered
around the two, watching them with
sinister looks, evidently in full sym-
patty with the young rufisn who had
been 80 summarily disposed Of by
Gerald Carman's strong arm.
lie took in the surroundings at a
glance, and determined not to leave
the helpless girl until she was IN a
safe place.
"If you are willing, | will walk a
little way with you," said be in an
undertone. 81 like not the company
hereahouts. They look as though
they might work you more trouble"
Thank you" said the girl, looking
up at him gratefully. II never was
here before, bat mother was SO sick
she had to send me-"
She was q wee bit Of q thing, and
looked even smaller walking beside
her tall protector. Her face was an
interesting one, though van and pale;
and her eyes were of that deep gray
color, which in the shadow of the long
dark lashes looked like black. They
shone out from beneath q tangle OF
curly hair, which glistened in the sun
like molten gold. But Gerald thought
not of any promise Of beauty in the
child. His memory was busy in the
past, when be had pressed q lingering
kiss upon the forehead of q little sis
ter who was TO be laid away from
his sight in the daisies. Often had
he threaded his fingers through her
curls-just such another mass Of
cleaning, tendril-like goll; and his
heart warmed to the owner Of the
little hand nesting SO confidently in
his own broad palm, while she told
in artless words her simple story as
they walked along.
Her father had been a sea-captain.
lie had sailed away on a three years
voyage, hoping to come back rich
enough to stay for the rest of his life
with his family. But news of his
death had reached them, and they had
heard nothing since.
Mamma had lived 10 the country"
said Adelaide in conclusion, land
when our money was nearly gone she
thought it would be easier to find
work here; so we moved. She has
not felt able to sew lately, and has
had to pawn n thing after another
until oil was gone but her wedding
dress. She was too sick to take it
this morning, so she had to trust me.
She was afraid l would get lost in the
big, wicked city, but | told her God
watched over the little birds, and He
would surely do the same by me-
and 30 He did. 1t was God who sent
you," and she turned and looked up
into his face with admiring reveren-
tial eyes.
Gerald flushed q little, but her sim
Pile, child-faith was too refreshing to
disturb with any commonplace dis
claimer so he said, to turn the subjec;
from himself.
"Was your mamma not very sorry
to part with the dress 2"
Indeed she was. | never saw
her cry so but once before, and that
was when we heard that papa was
dead
1t was easy for the sympathetic
listener to form an idea of the desti-
tuition which threatened the little fam
ily. A paltry three dollars between
them and want !
They had by this time reached the
door of the dwelling which sheltered
the widow and her child.
MAY | come 10 !" be said. II
would like to speak to your mother
of a friend of mine-a young doctor.
He is very skillful and might help
her"
ooh, SIR" said Adelaide, brightly,
then her face clouded; ''but we have
no money to pay him"
That will be all right" said Ger
aid.
The girl bounded up the stairs
with a little heart al these words,
aud disappeared for a moment.
Then she came out and beckoned to
him.
please to come in, mamma will see
you"
Lifting his hat be entered the room
softly. All within was cheerful and
pleasant. A few flowers they had
brought from their country home,