The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1879-02-01
Select STORY.
A FRIEND IN NEED.

ElluGu OhNntuC tolu VI u
pawn-broker's shop. Within, young girl
stood by the counter holding a large pack
age for the dealers inspection Her eyes
followed his motions wstfully as he took
it aud removed the paper wrappings, dis.
playing the lustrous folds Of silk dress
made in a quaint old.iashiened style.
"How much do you yant?' he said, at
last.
"My 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
astonishment:
Give dollars The leetle miss is not
in earnest. | will geef but two"
The childs lips quivered, but she did
not speak.
"Vell, l will say three, but it's too much.
The-vat you say? The style is old-too
old" and with a deprecating suggestive
shrug Of his shoulders, he placed the mon.
ey 10 little Adelaides outstretched palm.
As she received the dingy looking bills
and the accompanying dingy pawn ticket,
she turned, with a disappointed sigh, TO-
ward the door. What followed was the
work of a moment A rough-looking
young hanger.on about the place saw the
bills in her hand, as she came out into the
street, caught them from her with jeer-
ing laugh, then ran swiftly away with his
booty.
For a moment she stood bewildered,
hardly realizing what had happened
Then, with cry of "0h, my poor moth
er |" she sank down upon the steps and
began to sob bitterly.
But help was near Apassing stranger
had witnessed the theft, and had given in
dignant pursuit, and forced the young
miscreant to disgorge his plunder 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, especially in a
neighborhood like this. "
By this time a crowd had gathered
around the two, watching them with sinis-
ter looks, evidently in full sympathy with
the young rufian who had been so sum
marily disposed Of by Gerald Carman's
strong arm.
He took in the surroundings with one
swift glance, and determined not to 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.
~ like not the company hereabouts. They
look as though they might work you more
trouble"
"Thank you, said the girl looking up
at him gratefully. 81 was never here be-
fore, but mother was so sick she had to
send me"
She was wee bit of thing, and look
ed even smaller walking beside her tall
protector. Her face was an interesting
one, though wan 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
a 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 he had pressed lingering last
kiss upon the forehead of q little sister
who was to be laid away from his sight
under the daisies. Often had he threaded
his fingers through her curls-just such
another mass of cleaning, tendril.like gold;
and his heart warmed to the owner Of the
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 sea captain. He
had sailed away on three years voyage,
hoping to come home rich enough to stay
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"
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 late
ly, and has had to pawn one thing after
another, until all was gone but her we'd
ding dress. She was too sick to take it
this morning, SO she had to trust me. She
was afraid would get lost in the great
city, but l told her God watched over the
little birds, and He would surely do the
same by me-and SO He din. II icds God
ioho sent you," and she turned and looked
up into his face with admiring, revsrential
eyes.
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 himself
"Was your mamma not very sorry 10
part with the dress 2"
"Indeed she was. never saw her cry
so but once before, aud that was when We
heard that papa was dead"
TWAS easy for the sympathetic listener
to form an idea of the destitution which
threatened tho little family. A paltry
three dollars only between them and want
They had by this time reached the doc,
Of the dwelling house which sheltered the
widow and her child.
"May l come in?" he said. al would
like to speak to your mother, Of friend
of mine-a young doctor. He is very
skillful and might help her"
"0h, sir, said Adelaide, brightly, thet
her face clouded; "but we have no money
TO pay him"
THAT will be all right, said Gerald.
The girl bounded up the stairs with /
light heart at these words, and disappeared
for moment. Then she came out ant
beckoned to him.
"Please to come in, mamma will Sc,
you"
Lifting his hat he entered the room
softly. All within was cheerful and pleas
ant. A few flowers, brought from thei
country home, were blossoming upon tn
window sill, and sweet voiced canar
! trilled its tiny-thrOated music above then
But his attention was at once concentrate
upon the hectic-painted face resting upo
the snowy pillow
She smiled family as she met his eye
with their expression OF kindly interest.
al "You are very good" she said. IN
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