Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-08-05
Gales arlo Sketfbts.
ToUsD IN RE YIRE.
By ETHEL LYNN.



/ lame duck or two; goin' back tomorrer.
years s'pose you kind o. forgot US all,
didn't you ~
Seth was pinning bit Of the syringa in
his coat, but looked up with his old frank
smile.
II amt that kind Of man, Uncle
Abram.''
chat. when they separated. to meet at
Seth's house at night, TO go from there to
hear the Ministries.
Uncle Abram and Seth were in their
seats bright and early. The old farmer
read the program quite through, and
when the singing began. cried at the pa
fhos and laughed at the fun To his hearts
content. while Seth enjoyed his apprecia-
ton Of it all.
you see,- says Uncle Abram, In his
loud whisper, ..this fist suit me. / want
10 laugh and have good time. ! don't
90 to theayters. don't care nothin about
'em. They make up plays To get every
body in trouble. and then get EN- sut
again, and don't want to hear about any
make believe trouble. There's enough
genuine. the dear knows" So the even
ing wore on until. near the close. a sort
Of burlesque ballot was introduced.
Among the performers came on tiny
child. not more than three years old. with
It's little shabby spangled skirt and black
cned face. From it, woody wig one little
golden curl escaped. and it tried to tread
It's measure in fear Of the performers. who
moved unsteadily and spoke thickly.
After the little one came on the stage
nell .l for tnskfpar "a.
lie leaned over on his arms. talking softly
all the while. The poor little iriendless
creetur, that had ought to be In its bed
asleep three hours ago. It's sleepy now.
and it's afraid of that great niger in blue.
It'll b. a fire too-there = here fire
fire Save that baby. tell you
lie made bound forward, but started
back when a pale. haggard woman,
sprang from the side scenes with a shrek
and caught the little one, blazing as it
kitty. my child. Kitty! Its Kitty.
Seth ,''
All was confusion for while. The
spectators vanished quickly. although the
fire was confined 10 the group on the stage.
when Uncle Abram stood with his rough
coat wrapped around the little child.
There was unutterable pathos in the little
smuttcd face. and all lined and streaked
with tears. Its burns at first seemed light,
thanks 10 Uncle Abrams rough coat.
But the poor mother, She lay on one
of the rough touches behind the stage like
creature dead. quite unconscious Of the
old friends VIII stood about her The
minstrel they had noticed before stood by
her with his wig Off. and his unsteady arm
trying to raise her.
Then Uncle Abram got up a scene in
private theatricals on his own account.
Walking up 10 the ci-derant bango circus
performer. he Numbered out:
q You're the chap that stole my child.
You're the chap that stole my child.
You're one Louis Fitzgerald. amt YOU"
What's that to you. old punkin?" hic-
cuped the performer. trying to square him
self for fight
Now. you. Louis Fitzgerald. jist you
look mt her. You took away purity. red
checked happy young gal. that never
knowd care or sorrow land that's what's
lefl. Look Mt her poor. pale face. rs if
she was halt starved Look at that little
baby oi yourn'n, Almost burnt to death.
dancing ut your orders. when she was
aieard you would kick her if she didn't 90
right. Look at en- both, Take a good
look. for I'm going to take em home with
me. to nuss 'em up; an you've got to be
mighty good to get 'em agin, | tell YOU
Listen to that poor little creetur. wailin'
as IL she couldn't live. Seth, Seth
where's Seth?"
In an old arm chair behind the scenes.
Seth held the little one on pillow as
tendcrly rs its mother might The doc
TOR had hean for and had br,u,v1,t
such remedies as were best suited to the
little sufferer. Under the influence of the
strong anodynes. the cries turned to
means, and the livid mark of the fire was
covered with Seth's own handkerchief
The members of the company stole away
one by one. leaving the pitifu scene.
Fitzgerald had come to the sullen phase
Of drunkenness. and was fast sinking into
drunken, helpless sleep.
Under the doctors RESERVATIONS, Kitty
revived at last. and looked around with
hollow. haggard eyes. Seth saw her
shudder as she saw her husband living in
his stupid sleep. He watched the startled
look as she saw him holding the child,
and the great tears tell on his hand as she
knelt over its pillow and sobbed. Uncle
Abram had cried until his great red ban
danna was wet rs il washed newly, and
even Seth drew his long white hand over
his eyes quickly.
The child was failing fast. Its golden
curls were wet with an unhealthy mois-
ture. its little face under its plasters grew
pale and clammy. aud its blue eyes had
that far-away look that comes but once.
Kitty washed the sooty CRIME from the
little hands and neck aud tace. aud shud-
dering again. she pointed to the heap that
should have been man.
ale made me let her 90 to dance. l
begged him to leave her with me. but he
wouldn't. and So came here and watched
rs she made her little curtsevs and filings.
Oh, my baby. darling, Kiss me once.
my darling, Oh, Uncle Abram, can't you
help her? Seth. you used TO be my friend.
oh. save my child. -
In the dim stiffness Of that dngy ante
room. Death stole in UNDECIDED. No call
boys summon needed he. No heed gave
he to mother prayer, or physicians hope,
no heed to word or wall but out from the
little CRIME he stopped ITO take the jewel
Tor which the King had sent.
CHAPTER III.
In the old remembered porch once more
sat Kitty. Pale and quiet. but more
beautiful in her sorrow than ever in her
red-cheeked bloom. She sat where the