Connecticut western news., 1879-09-24
'' Cross Maggie. 5
A TALE OF A CITY,

like to stroll about in the dead of night through the streets of great city, when all is quiet, when the noise and hustle of the day have subsided, when all the million voices of the great living monster have gone to rest and but few sounds arise here and there, in subdued tones coming from Q distance, like the whisper of the city in it's sleep.
 On particularly sultry night in July I undertook one of my habitual wander ings through the city. The heat was insuferable, such as thoEe poor out casts who arc obliged to pass all sum- mer in town are alone doomed to en- dure. My way lay through narrow etrent tituated between the Bowery and the East River. On both sides arose tbe black, towering masses of the ten ntment-houses which line the street. The air was stifiirg and impregnated with peatiicrous emanatjons atis;ng from the ash -bsrrels and cut of the cellar holes of tho houses. It was evident that the wretched inhabitants of these wretched dwellings had been unable to find rest md sleep within the walls of tEeir narrow, crowded cells tho door steps, the balconies, were lined with reclining human figures in different postures, some of them half naked, panting heavily for one single breath of fresh, invigorating air.
 All wss silent around. From time to time inc tinkling of the car-bells and the hoof-beat of the teams on the pavement sounded in the distance, CT sh1ill steam whistle from some boat on the river disturbed the stiffness of the night, and then all again was silent and heard cnly my footsteps re-echoad from the dalk walls of both sides of the street.
 Suddenly piercing cry, uttered by g woman's voice, broke the silence and was followed by heartrending sobs and moans. I stopped involuntarily in my walk and turned in the direction wherce these sounds came. My first thought was that murder or robbery was be1nQ committed. I looked mp and down the street in the vain hope of espying { policeman, and finding none I retracec my steps into a dark laue from whict the moans and the sobs still arose more piercing and terrible than before. 4 moment later stood by the side of tht prostrate form of a woman lying at the entrance of one of those suspicious looking beer saloons, adorned witl stained window-panes and multi -coloret gas. lamps, which abound in thes' quarters. The woman lay on the flag of the sidewalk, her face turned to tn, ground, convulsive sobs shaking he body-the very picture of misery anc looking mora like heap of rags thar like human being. All I was able t. distinguish by the fickering light of tn nearest gas.lamp was profusiou o glowing red hair which descended il thick undulating locks from her hea and struggled in the mud which covere the pavement.
 I stopped down and touched she shoulder.
 "What is the matter 2" asked. "Hs any body hurt you ?"
 She shook off my hand without tur1 ug round and continued sobbing.
 "Come now" said again in @ loude tone, look up and tell me what is th matter. Come with me; you need nt be afraid"
 "I won't, I won'tp' she eobbet "Leave me alone to die here. lwon go to the station again P
 But am not policeman" COT tinued, bending down lower to hel "eome, look up Y
 This time she seemed to understar me. Turning round she lifted herse to a sitting posture and leaning c her elbow looked me full in the fac It WAS sight shall never forget in g my life In the midst of long, dishe' eled tresses of golden auburn hair al peared face of wondrous, almost chil like beauty and purity of expression It was ashy pale, besmeared with mu and drtp of blood triokled down u cheek from small wound on the for head; but all this could not efface u regal beauty of the features and u whole form ef the girl. Lying there tho mud. like an ontcast dog. the gi wore look aa if sho were a queen l cliaiDg on her throne.