The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-12-18
Select Story.
SAVED BY MATCHES.


A small room poorly furnished, pot oI
mignonette Ia the window; girl at work
ut the table, sewing steadily. She would
have been pretty had she not been so poor
If she had been better fed, she would have
had rosy cheek; if she had freedom and
less labor, she would have had dimples; il
she had worn dress Of violet silk, instead
Of the faded calico it would have brought
out the fairness Of her skin and the golden
hue of her hair. As it was Alice Morne
was pale, and pinhced, aud sad, with the
sewing girls stoop Of shoulders, and the
sewing girls heavy heart.
She rose suddenly aud folded up her
work-a child's garment Of fine cambric,
trimmed with dainty lace. She made a
package Of it, donned her bonnet and
shawl, and went out Of her lodging house.
She threaded the commercial streets rap.
idly, and soon emerged upon the avenues
Of wealthy private residences. Here it
was quieter, the dusk was gathering Now
aud then carriage rolled by. One OF
two stately houses were lighted for recep-
tions. Many more were somberly closed
Alice kept going on, with her quiet, rapid
step. .......
She stopped at last before house in a
blaze of light. Costly lace curtains con
cealej the luxurious rooms within, the
soft notes Of piano came softly upon the
girls ears.
"The Tracys give another party to-
night, said Alice. I
She went into the area and rang the
bell. A servant admitted her. She went
in with her bundle.
She came out with light step. The
work had been approved, aud she had been
paid. A little dazzled with the scene she
had just emerged from, she paused upon
the pavement to count her money.
"Give me cent, said little beggar
boy starting somewhere out Of the silent
shadows.
"Wbat do you want it for n" asked
Alice.
"Fm hungry" answered the child. He
was pale aud punched,
Heres dime; | would give you more
if | could" she said.
The child took il eagerly She passed
on with less than 81 to buy supper and
pay weeks rent.
She had more work. When It was
finished she came the same way again in
the dusk. As she passed over the side.
walk faint line Of white attracted her at.
teution.
There was knob Of glass, generally
called a 'bull eye" 10 the pavement. 1t
is usually inserted over coal vault, and
is removed to admit the Goals. This one
had not been adjusted with exactitude,
and ut the creyice appeared line Of white.
Alice stopped down aud examined Il. 1t
was the edge of folded paper.
She drew it out with a wild thought
that il might be some valuable check or
draft. But il contained only few words
written in pencil:
u have watched for you constantly for a
week. IT, you would save my life come back
here, and all night long place matches where
you found this paper. You shall be reward.
ed with all you can ask. A PRIsoSER."
Alice closed the paper in her hand and
looked around bewildered. No one was
to be seen. She looked down at the lump
Of dull glass, but it was entirely Cd aoue.
The bulls eye was not set quite evenly ia
its place. She touched il with her foot
but could not move il. After waiting a
moment confused and 10 doubt, she passed
on, recollecting her errand.
The area door admitted her. The ser.
want had child on her arm, tho dainty
little thing for whom Alice made garments
"Mrs. Tracy said you was TO come up
to her chamber" said she. "You know
the way"
The lady whom she met was not lovely.
she was sallow and dark; very disagree.
able looking-clutching her cashmere
gown ut the breast, and turning impatient.
ly toward her little sewing girl.
"Why did you not come before p she
asked 10 hoarse voice, with n slight
French accent. "The child should have
had that dress to drive in to-day"
IL vas sick yesterday; could not finish
1t, answered Alice tremulously.
Madame suatched the package, tearing
1t open, and letting tho littlc embroidered
robe fall on the bed.
"Well, here is your money" said she.
opening velvet purse. "Next time /
VIII employ some one who will do as they