Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-03-14
A FRIEND IN NEED.

pawnbroker's shop. Within, q young
girl stood by the counter, holding u
large package for the dealers inspec-
ton. Her eyes followed his motions
wistfuly Ms he took it and removed
the paper wrappings, displaying the
lustrous folds of silk diees, made IN u
quaint, oli-fashioned style.
GLOW much do you vant?' he ques-
toned MT last.
my mother thought five dollars
would DC lltLle enough for it, The silk
IS very good. 1t was her wedding
dress"
The man raised his eyes and hands
in astonishmcnt. Give dollars the
little miss IL not in earnest. will geef
but two"
The child's lips quivered, but she did
not speak
"Vell, ~ will say three, but it's too much.
The--yat you say? The shtyle is too
old" and with deprccating suggestive
shrug OF his shoulders, he placed the
money in little Adelaide's olltatretched
palm. AS she received the dingy-look-
ing bills and the accompanying as dingy
Dawn ticket, she turned with n disap-
pointed sigh toward the door. What
followed was the work of IL moment. A
rough-looking young hanger-on about
the place saw the bills in her hand ny
sho caine out into the street, caught
them from her with II jeering hugh,
then ran swiftly away with his booty.
For II moment she stood bewiderod,
hardly realizing what had happened.
Then with cry OF ooh, my poor
motherl" she sank down upon the steps
and began TO sob bitterly.
But help was near. A passing stran-
ger had witnessed the theft and Ind
given indignant pursuit and forced tho
young miscreanl to disgorge His plum
ucr. Then Fastening back TO the side
of The sobbing girl, no said "lIoro is
your money, little one. Don't ever be
80 caroless again, especially in u neigh
borhood like this"
ny this timo group had gathered
around tho two, Watching them with
sinister looks, evidently in full sympathy
with the young rullian who hnd been 40
summary disposed Of by Gerald Car
mans strong arm.
lie took in the surrounding with one
swift glance, aud determined not TO
leave the helpless girl until she was in
safe place.
"lfyou are willing will walk n little
way with you,' no said in mn undertono.
IL like not the company hereabouts,
They look M though they might work
you more trouble"
"Thank YOU" said the girl, gratefully;
IL was never hore before but mother
was 30 sick she Ind TO send mo-"
She was u wee bit of u thing, and
looked even smaller walking beside her
protector. Her face was nm interesting
one, though wan and pnlo ; and hor
eyes were Of that deep gray color,
which in tho shadow Of tho long, dark
Eashos looked like black. They shono
q ovt from beneath tangle of curly hair,
which glistened in tho sun like molten
gold. But Gerald thought not Of any
PROMISE of beauty in the child, His
momory was busy IN the past, when
.he had pressed lingering last kiss
upon tho forehead Of " little sister who
wac to DO laid away from his sight I'M
dor the daisies. Often had ho threaded
hR fingers through her curls-jlst such
another mass of cleaning, tendril-like
gold and his heart warmed to tho
owner OF the hand Nesting 80 conf
IDENTITY IN his own broad palm, while
she tCld in artless words her simele |
story NJ they walked along.
Her father had boon aea captain.
He had sailed away on three years
VOYAGE hoping to como homo rich
TSWugh to stay for the rest OF his life
with his family. But the news Of his
death had reached them, ana they
had heard nothing since.
mamma had lived in the country"
said Adelaide, in conclusion, "and when
our money was nearly gone she thought
il would be easier to find work here, SO
we moved. She has not felt able to
sew lately, and has had TO pawn ono
thing after another, until all was gone
but her wedding dress. She was too
sick to take II this morning, so she had
TO trust me. She was afraid ] would
get lost in the big, wicked city; but |
told her God watched over the little
birds, and Ito would surely do the Same
by me; and so He did. II was God
who sent YOU" and she turned and
looked up into his face with admiring,
roverential Dyes,
Gerald flushed little, but her simple
child faith was too refreshing to disturb
by any commonplace disclaimer; so
he said, TO turn the subject from him
self: WAS your mamma not worry sorry
to part with the dross2"
"Indeed she was. never saw her
cry SO hut once before, and that was
when wo heard that papa was dead
II was easy for the sympathetic lis
tener to form an idea OF the restitution
which threatened the little family. A
paltry three dollars only between them
and want
They had by this time reached tho
door Of the dwelling.house which shell.
tered the widow and her child.
"Mhy l come in2' he said. u would
Nike to speak to your mother Of friend
Of mine--a young doctor. lie is very
skillful and might help her"
'0h, SIR said~Adelaide, brightly
then her face clouded; "hut wo hay,
no money to pay him.