Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1880-02-26
Paul Dubois Runaway Daughter.

raul DuDoIs' Runaway Daughter.
Linette had the blues. Nothing new
for Linette, one might say; but these
were the bluest kind of blues. Not a
ray OF sunshine to be found in sky OF
room, or in Linette's face or Thoughts.
One months rent unpaid" She be-
gan, another coming due in few days.
No coal, no wood, no money! and she
fairly broke down as she finished sum-
ming up Ter troubles. Little ills she
could and did bear with patience and
fortltude; but these matters were too
grave to laugh over and charm away by
very hghtheartedness. While her work
lasted, Linette had faced the hardships
OF her life brayely enough Now, with
| IDLE hands and hungry lips, she had
grown desperate with want. CRYING
stlli; she began collecting her few poor
! clothes, after pausing to wipe away the
blind; ing tears, and sobbing out pitifulIy /:
s'Oh! to think of my ever going into
a pawn shop!" R7T esf-f9
She was still intent on her task. when
sharp rap sounded on her door. At
| her summons it opened. and her ewes
| We're quickly dried in her wonder at the
| unlooked-ior visitor Elegant fur man.
| ties and French bonnets came so seldom
within range of Linette's bright ewes.
that Tor moment she saw only these
but quickly transferred her attention to
the wondrous beauty of the lady's face.
blanche Carlson was unprepared for
the glrlishface gazing at her, with wide
wet eyes, and looked about at the bare.
poverty-stricken room, with some little
curiosity. as she advanced, and referring
70 printed scrap of paper in her hand,
spoke: - =
8 You advertised for a place as lady,s
not ?" -
: No, Madame, Mary Judson lives on
the floor above. did not advertise. =
"Oh, indeed, | beg your pardon y
and Mrs. Carlson moved toward th,
door, pausing as the girl began to speak
Would l suit you? l can dress hair
perfectly and know all The duties of
maid. Do try me. | can give Won
reference as to character, indeed can.
l am so poor-and so hungry ~ and
Linette's tears welled over again.
Mrs. Carlson, although not an irnpnl-
slve woman, retained enough of youth
and enthusiasm to sympathize readily
with forlorn beauty; and Linette, coax
ing ana entreating, was even more win
nlng than IN any other of her ever
changing moods. Her fair, curly hair.
with its wonderful tints of gold and
bronze, served to heighten the impres-
sion of childlike-as1ing for love and
protection made by her wide blue ewes.
heavy with tears. \ few questions.
answered as earnestly and satisfactorily,
and Linette found herself again alone
but with widely different feelings. 4
First of all, something to eat: and
Llnette ran lightly down the ricketty
stairs, out into the narrow street, and
along to the Underground bake shop
where poor old humpbackJ j oe displayed
his modest sign OF Eating-House. .
The steps leading down were icy and
slippery, but the girl only closed her
hand the tighter over the pl ecious silver
1t held. and bursting in through the door
as willfully as sunbeam will fall into n
dreary prison-cell if only the keepers
back be turned. Scantily lighted. fur
nlshed only with a counter running half
way back and a few tables and chairs.
there was yet suggestion Of warmth
and comfort in the great red-hot stove
and the. atmosphere reeking with the
tunes of an immense pot of soup.
Hey! girl, come easyl come easy y,
and Joe's ragged gray hair appeared
above the counter. Shaking himself as
one sees huge mastiff do after a rest.
he continued: You'll break the door.
slammln' 1t SO nard-and the dishes.
maybe! ana What do you want, any
Wayw
"There, Joe" answered Linette, who
was already peering curiously into the
soup-pot, and warming her numbed
hands. "There, Joe, stop growing, and
look at that. A whole quarter, and
mean to eat every cent OF it.n
Nothing daunted by this threat. Joe
bit it, eyed it, sent it spinning on the
counter, and finally thrust it down into
his capacious pocket, shaking himself
again with an inarticulate growl
Linette only waited, spoon in hand. for
him to set a loaf, pat of butter and
bowl OF steaning soup before her-to
commence eating with evident relish
and satisfaction. Joe swung himself m
on the edge OF q table, and watched her
curiously as she ate. Several times he
took the money out, and set his great
teeth in it as though to help himself to
solution OF knotty problem.
His misshapen figure, ferocinus-look-
ing head, and huge, long hands, had
nothing repulsive for Linette. Once or
twice she nodded ,cheerily, and once
waited him kiss with the tip of her
spoon. Suddenly, he flung the none
| down on the table before her, and lean
ing forward, SO that The hickering lamp
threw its light full in his face, spoke
| harshly but with evident agitation in