Connecticut western news., 1879-01-29
The HalfTilner.

" Pottering done here with spring cart" This was painted on little sign board fastened to the side of her fathers house. He pottered," did small jobs in moving goods and furniture with his spring cart and poor old horse. And now, the horse was dead and the cart broken-run into by an omnibus on Market street in busy Manchester. Mary's father brought home piece of the shaft. The police had taken away the rest, and that was the end of the pot tering business. She was sitting in her mothers dismal chamber, just before it happened, and leaning out of the win dow she looked into the street. She looked up st the sky, but there was nothing 10 be seen, for the little two s5ory house stood under huge brick arch that eprsng over house, street and all, and landed cn the opposite side- walk, and made brick sky over her head. Tie street itself seemed half lost in the bottom Of well, for great mill rose high over the arch, and threw it's black shadow over the whole place. Au- other arch sprans over the next TOW of ho=ses, and On top of these the engines and cars flew along every few minutes high over the tops of the chimneys.
 Just as she looked out, she saw her father enter the little place with the piece of broken shaft in his hand. The children playing on the sidewalks laughed at him and tried to catch the piece of broken harness that traiIed along the ground behind the poor old man. Mary knew in 8 mom ant what ii all meant. Something had happened tc the spring-ca and the horse. They could never buy another cart, and as fol horse it was quite out of the question, and that was the end of the potterine business. The horse had brought then nearly twenty shillings a week (abou five dollars in our money), and on tha they three. Mary and her father ant mother, had contrived to live.
 And the horse was dead. She hear her father say 50 as he entered the house She looked up at the brick sky and won dered what would become of them now But the sky. only dripped black drops c water, that fel with a splash in poe in the street. A train rolled over tn top of the sky, and itseemed to thunder
 Suddenly bell began to ring high u in the air, somewhere above the brio sky. Mary looked to the left and saw man open gate in fence that stretehs across the street just beyond the arcl way. Then number of women, dresse in long white aprons and with small re shawls tied over their heads, came U the street and passed under the arch ar entered the gate. Mary knew they we the spinners in the mill, and she at on slipped down from her seat, and wi soft footsteps stole down stairs and O of doors. She crossed the street al then steod under the brick archway ne the gate. Pre- sently woman approache and stepping up to her, Mary sai boldly:
 "Do e want me in your mill2'
 The woman stopped and looked at t child. A small, thin-faced creatu1 with bare arms and feet, clothed in black woolen frock, much worn, and too small for her. Pale, blue eyes, y low hair, small mouth, and with
 anxious and frightened expression
 her face.
 What be yer name, lass ?"
 Mary. My father lives yon-
 potters-but the horse is dead. ]
 most ten."
 "Sure Y'
 {" Yes. Ten come Michaelmas."
 aDoes your father know?" ssNo. I haven't asked him. He'll uillin' for the horse is dead and
 cart is broken. !"
 .Come on. One O my lasses is si
 Ye can scavanger for her, and then
 see yore folks. 2