The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1879-08-16
A FRIEND IN NEED.

brokers' shop Within, q, young girl stood by
the counter, holding large package for the
.lcalers inspection. Her eyes followed his
motions wistfully as he took it and removed
the paper wrappings, displaying the lustrous
folds of silk dress, made in quaint old
fashioned style.
"How much do you want" he questioned,
ut last
INV mother thought five dollars would be
little enough for it, The silk is very good.
1t was her wedding-dress"
The man raised his eyes and hands in as
constituent. Give tollars the leetc miss is
not in earnest III gcef but two"
The chid's lips quivered but she did not
speak
"Vell, will say three, but it's too much,
The-vat you say? The shtye is old, old
TOO Old" and with depreclatng shrug OF
his shoulders, he placed the money in little
Adclades outstrctchcd palm.
As she received the dingy looking bills and
Che accompanying pawn ticket, she turned,
with disappointed sigh, toward the door.
What followed was but the work of a moment.
4 roughlooking hanger-on about the place
saw the bills in her hand, and as she came out
into the street caught them from her with a
icering laugh, and then ran swiftly away with
his booty.
For moment she stood bewldcred, hardly
realizing what had happened.
Then with cry of "Oh, my poor mother''
she sank down upon the steps and began to
sob bitterly.
But help was near. passing stranger had
witnessed the theft, and had given indignan,
pursuit, and forced the young miscreant to dis
gorge lis plumber. Then Fastening back. tc
The side of the sobbng girl, he said:
"Hcre is your money, little one. Don't evcl
be so careless again, especially IN neghbor
hood like this"
BY this time a group had gathered around
The two, watching them with sinister looks
evidently in full sympathy with the young
ruflian who had been so summarily disposed
of by Gerald Carman's strong arm.
He took in the surroundings with one swift
glance, and determined not leave the helpless
girl until she was in a safe place.
"If you are willing will walk little way
with you, he SAID in an undertone. 81 like
not the company hcreabouts, They look "a,
though they might work you more trouble
Thank YOU" said the girl gratefully, 81
was never here before but mother was so sick
she had TO send me-
She was Il wee bit Of thing, and looked
even smaller when walking beside her pro
teCtOr. Her face was an interesting one
though van and pale ana her eyes were thai
deep gray color, which, IN the shadow of the
dong, dark lashes looked like black The,
shone out from beneath tangle of curly hail
which glstened in the sun like molten gold
Her father, she SAID, had been "a sea-capain
lie had sailed away on a three years voy
age, hoping to come home rich enough to sta,
for the rest of his life with his family. But
The news of his death had reached them and
they had heard nothing since
Mamma had lived IN the country and
when Our money was nearly gone she though,
81 would be easier to find work here, so VT
moved She had not felt able to sew lately
and has had to pawn one 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 lie would
surely do the same by me; and 80 He did. /,
was God who sent YOU" and she turned and
looked up INTO his face with admirng, rever
entia. eyes
Gerald flushed little, but her simple child
Faith was too refreshing to he disturbed by any
commonplace disclaimer, so he SAID, to turn
the subject from himself: WAS your mamma
not very sorry 10 part with the dress!"
Indeed she was. never saw her cry SO
out once before, and that was when she heard
papa was dead"
- "'' 10y Api tAiN lDitutllt u
form an idea Of the destituiion which threaten
cd the little family. A paltry three dollars
only between them and want!
They lad by this time reached the door OF
The dwelling house which sheltered the widow
and her child
May come 81 he asked. al would like
20 speak 70 your mother Of a friend of mine
young doctor He very skiliul and mig CHI
help her"
"0h. sir" said Adelaide, brightly: then her
face clouded, but we have no money to pay
him"
"Tha; will be all right" said Geralu, assur
ingly
The girl bounded up the stairs with a light
heart at these words, and disappeared for 3
moment. Then she made her appearance and
beckoned TO him.
Please 10 come in the house; mamma will
see you"
Lifting his hat he entered the room softly