The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1881-02-18
Select Story.
SAVED BY MATCHES.

a small room, poorly furnished a pot
of migonnette in the window u girl at
work at the table, sewing steadily. She
would have been pretty If she had not
beeI 80 poor. If she had been better
fed, she would have had rosy cheek; if
she had had freedom and less labor, she
would have had dimples; if she had
worn dress of violet silk instead of
faded calico, it would have brought out
the fairness of her skin and the golden
hue of her hair. As it was, Alice Morne
WIS pale, and punched and. sad, with the
sewing girls stoop of shoulders and the
sewing girls heavy heart.
She rose suddenly and folded up her
1 work--a child's garment, of fine cam
brio trimmed with dainty lace. She made
package of it, donned her bonnet and
! shawl and went out of her lodging
! house.
She threaded the commercial streets
! rapidly, and soon emerged on avenues
/ of wealthy private residences. Here it
\ was quicter. The dusk was gathering.
Now and then a carriage rolled by. One
or two stately houses were lighted for re-
ccptons. Many more were sombery
closed Alice went on. with her quiet,
rapid step.
She stopped at last before house all
in blaze of light. Costly lace curtains
concealed the luxurious rooms within ;
the soft notes of apiano came softly up
/ on the girls ear.
The Tracy's give another party to
night, said Alice
| 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, and she had
been paid. A little dazzled with the
scene she had just emerged from, she
paused upon the pavement to count the
money.
Give me cent, said II little beggal
boy starting somewhere out of the silent
| shadows.
What do you want it for 2 asked
Alice.
I'm hungry answered the child. II,
was pale and pinched.
Here's dime; | would give you more
/ if could she said
The child took it eagerly. She passed
| on, with less than - to buy supper and
pay for Il weeks rent.
She had more work. When it was
finished she came the same way in the
dusk. AS she passed over the sidewalk a
faint line of white attracted her at
tcntion.
There was knob of glass, generally
called ''bulls eye in the pavement 1t
IL usually inserted over a coal vault and
is removed to admit the Goals. This
one had not been adjusted with exacti-
tude, and at the crevice appeared line
of white. Alice stopped down and ex-
amincd it. 1t was the edge of a folded
paper.
She drew it out with wild thought
that it might be some valuable check or
draft. But it contained only a few words
written in pencil.
i have watched for you constantly Tor
week. If You would save my life come
back here and all night long place matches
where you found this paper You shall
be rewarded with all you can ask.
n PRIsoNfR.
Alice closed thepaperi in her hand and
looked oundsbcwildered. No one was
to be seen. She looked down at the
lump of dull glass, but it was entirely
Opaque, The bulls eye was not set quite
evenly in its place She touched it with
her foot but could not move il. After
waiting a momenL confused and in doubt
she passed on, recolleoting her errand.
The area door admitted her. The ser
want had n child in her arms, the dainty
little thing for whom Alice made gar
ments
Mrs Tracy said you was TO como up
to her chamber, she said, you know the
way
The lady Thom she met was not love
ly; she was saiow and IL ak; very disa
greeable looking--clutching her cash
mere gown at the br, ast, and turning
impaticntly toward her little sewing
girl.
Why did you not come before?' she
asked, in a hoarse voice, with a slight
French, accent. The child should hav,
had v rat dress to drive III to-day
} was sick yesterday and could moi
M lsh it, answered Alice.
Madame snatched the package tearing
it open and letting the little embroidered
robe fall upon the bed.
well, here is your money, said she
opening velvet purse. Next time vii
employ some one who will do rs the,
promise
Alice turned away with n bursting
heart-for the woman's words mean
starvation for her. She dared not rails
her voice in reply; she devined trul,
that the heart under that rich robe wa
one of stone.
| AS she passed down stairs she heard
low voice it proceeded from one of tn
rooms above her.
| And he is 2l po-dayH' il said,
4 yes it is three years sinoe his mystel
ioas disappearance with snseriu
laugh,
Thp %oiees uern Neethv. "A ,loaf kl,s