The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1881-08-04

avourneens, while I'm away, won't
YER said she, kissing the two half.
starved mites in the corner; land We
won't cry, or disturb the poor sick
daddy. I'll be back, Jim, my heart,
in less than no time"
Faith in Divine help and patient en-
durance of suffering are traits well
known:t to those whose experience lies
among the lower orders. Poor Jim
had . full share of both; nevertheless,
when his wife had gone he broke down
miserably. .'God help herr he said,
looking after her retreating figure;
land God forgive me for deceiving her,
and making up stories about getting
strong and we'll. when know
as sure as that I'm lying
stretched here, that the never .
stroke of work I'll do again in this
world. IT'S dying l am--dying for the
want of everything; as weak as water,
and not able to lift my head. If she
was to slave day and night, and work
her poor fingers to the bone. the cray
thur! she couldn't get me the nOurish-
ment I'd want. Though 1 purtend to
her that I'm not one bit hungry or in
clined to make use of victuals, could
eat the world if l had it. I'm Just
ravenous! When I was sick at the
hospital, wasn't able to look at even
the cup O tea; but now the hunger is
gnawing and tearing at me. My heart
is weak from fasting, and the longing
and the craving are killing me-"
Meantime poor Mary was hurrying
through the streets with anxious foot
steps, specializing on the possibility of
her friend having found her work
among her pupils.
Miss West was a daily governess.
Though but just nineteen, she was the
main prop and stay of widowed in
valid mother and young sisters; earning
by her daily toll that which eked out
the pittance left of better days. and
made by frugal continuance the two
ends meet. But none are so poor as
not to be able to help in some way those
worse off than themselves; and the
young girl had pleaded successfully for
Mary, and had procured emplo, ment
that had been the only support
of the poor family during Jim illness.
She was going to breakfast when her
protege was shown in: just preparing
to attack, with the hea thy appetite of
youth and the knowledge that many
busy hours would pass before she
should again See food, goodlv slice OF
thick bread and butter; the thickne>s.
be it observed, reterable to the bresd
only, the butter spread thereon be ,ng
limited TO an almost imperceptible
"scrape."
"Ah. is that you, Mary?'' she sad.
with the bright. pleasant smile that
always seemed, Mary declared, to
''rise her heart out of trouble" II am
afraid have NO orders for you this
morning, but have got a new pupil,
and she tells me that there will shortly
be wedding in the family. So there's
a chance for YOU Needle-work NAV
be required, and may have good news
for you before long
under her cloak, straining them hard
in the agony of disappointment that she
strove to keep down and hide from her
young benefactress. Very bitter was
the pang of deferred hope; but she
would not seem ungratefll.
"And I daresay," said the girl,
glancing at the white, pinched face,
"that you've left home without your
breakfast. Here's nice cup of tea I've
just poured out, and a round of bread
and-butter," her own whole morning
meal; "sit down while you take them"
"Thank ye kindly, Miss; Pm double
thankful for the tea; and" added the
poor woman, all unconscious that she
was robbing her benefactress, "as
you're 80 good, I'll put the slice in my
basket, and carry it to poor Jim. May
be it'll tempt him-lovely white bread!
He does be saying always that he has
no mind to eat; but l think tits just
purtending he is, poor fellow! He
knows haven't it for him.
"If could only get you some work!'
said the girl, touched to the quick by
the utter woe in her poor friends face.
"Ah we'll. sure your doing your best
the Lord bless you!--and who can do
more? And now. Miss, I'll go; axing
your pardon for all the trouble m Civ
ing you"
away, retracing her steps YEARLY along
the passage. Remembering something,
however, before reaching the hall-door,
she came back. and reappeared in the
room where the little governess was
tying her bonnet-strings, preparing to
set out. Il forgot this" she said.
"Sure, Tin losing my mind entirely
with the fret that's on it. God help
me! my burden is making me foolish.
Coming along this morning. seen this
on the flags, and put it in my pocket.
thinking maybe if it was clean. one of
your little sisters might fancy it for her
cur osity-box. Let me wipe the mud
off it for you, Miss. 1t shines beautiful
nova bit of glass like
A moments scrutiny of the object
sparkling on the woman's outstretched
palm, and Miss West, crying out "Give
It me, quick, and watt" snatched it
from her-Mary staring in astonish-
ment at her vehemence-and rushed
upstairs to her mothers room.
"What is it. dear?' said the startled
invalid as she dashed in. What ever
is the matter?'
20 mother. look! Can this be what
we saw advertised for the newspaper?
Is it possible poor Mary can be the lucky
finder? can scarcely believe it. Do
look"
The advertisement was as follows:
ESQ REwARD.-LOst, valuable dia-
mond." The description and further
particulars given. ''Whoever finds it,
or can give information lead ing to its
recovery, will receive the above reward
bv applying at No. =, Merton Square,
South" -
Mrs. West at once pronounced what
was submitted to her experienced judg-
ment, to be diamond o. great value,
and was strongly of opin on that 1t
might be the missing jewel: but both
mother and daughter agreed that it
would be better not to tell Mary the
extent Of her possible good fortune, for
fear of disappointment. So on return
ing to her, the young lady only said:
my mother thinks this may be some-
thing we have seen advertised for in
the newspaper, to be taken. if found.
to Merton Square. My first tuition
this morning happens to be in that
square, 50 I will 60 with you to the
house mentioned"
"Thank ye kindly, Miss. The foot