Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1879-01-22

1unus were getting low, ana what 10
do after they were gone she did not
know.
As she was listlessly in search OF
work one day, she happened TO raise
her eyes, and in little shop window
she saw advertisement for girls to sew
flannel shirts.
She applied for work.
A large roll of coarse shirts was given
her; upon asking what the price to be
paid vas, the man answered that il
was according to the manner in which
the work was done and, promising her
self to do it as well As she possibly
could. Bessie FASTENED to the place
which she called home, and began bu-
silly TO labor.
At the end of three days, by working
early and late, the work was finished,
and, after neatly folding it up, she pre-
pared to take it home.
Her heart was lighter than it had
been since leaving her fathers house,
and as she tripped through the streets,
the shadow of smile lowered about
her lips.
But her joy was Of short duration: as
the man examined the work he was as
tonished at the neatness Of the sewing,
but hiding his true feelings. he said
gruffiy:
at is only worth three shillings,
and throw them contemptuOusly upon
the counter.
Three shillings." Bessie repeated,
"Yes, he answered, ''snd good pay
AT that, too
With gulp she swallowed the lump
which would rise in her throat, and
taking the money, and another bundle,
Tor she must do something 10 keep the
wolf from the door, and left the shop
and sadly returned home.
When the next morning came, Bes-
sic was in high fever, and raving In
delirium.
As she did not appear below stairs,
the landiady came into her room to see
what was the matter, and found her in
this sad condition.
4 doctor was sent for, who pronOun-
sed the disease brain fever
The landlady was a poor woman,
quite unable TO bear the expense of a
physician and the necessary medicines
and so poor BESSIE was removed to the
hospital.
Many days she stood upon the brink
of the grave, but her time was not We
come: and after a severe struggle, ma
ture gained the victory
Slowly back TO life she drifted, but
her heart was not joyful at that, for
what had she TO live for:
No one was gladdened at her recove-
ry, and sometimes she bitterly lamen-
ted that she had not died.
Days of convalscence followed, she
knew lot whittier to go.
At length she turned to her old lOd
gings, and, after gathering together
her scanty possessions, went and sold
them.
With the money thus obtained she de-
termined to go home, and started imme-
daily for that haven.
She had almost reached the door of
her fathers house, when feeling of
deadly fear overcame her.
The image of her father, as he stood
that last night in the parlor, rose be-
fore her, and she dared not enter to be
treated again in The same manner.
Then she turned, and again trod the
path to the road.
Every object she saw reminded her
Of those happier days which were never
to come again.
As she reached the road, she stood a
moment in doubt.
Then, with a murmured prayer, she
turned, not to the city in which she had
suffered and endured so many hard
ships, but toward the city of the dead.
1t was a raw, black night; the dull,
leaden clouds betOkened storm.
The wind III oaned and sobbed through
the naked, ice-encrusted branches of
the trees.
The hard ground almost cut through
her thin boots.
Her frail form shivered in the blast,
and, almost exhausted, she reached the
gate.
She knew the exact spot where her
mother lay, for it was only TO her
mothers grave that she was going.
1t was reached.
Il am so cold" she muttered won
deringly. won't you warm poor
Bessie, mother? Perhaps if | lay my
head upon your breast, | will become
warmer"
She sank wearily upon the hard
ground, and almost Immediately the
tired eyelids drooped, and she fell into
that sleep which knows no waking,
Then the snow began TO fall. softly,
whisperingly.
The large flakes fell, covering the
brown-faced earth with an ermine robe
and over the silent sleeper, caressingiy
a robe fell.
And so. when the morning broke
clear. calm and beautiful, leaving nc
trace of the nights havoc save that
still cold form, the old gray-haired sex
ton found her,
The tinty, wasted hands were clasp.
ed as if in prayer, and about the chisel-
ed lips smile of ineffable peace
lowered.
Never in life had the beautiful face
seemed SO angelically sweet; it was
white as the marble against which il
vas pressed.
Calling assistance, they tenderly
reverently bore the lnanimate form tt
the Hall, for they well knew the sweet
faced Bessie Grey.
On the very night of Bessie's return
Paul Grey, her father, lay dying.
Two days before, his physician hat
informed him that he could do nothing
more for him, and, with death thu