The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1882-02-01
SENT BY EXPRESS.

sShe was 4 beautiful, brown haired
girl, with soft. shy eyes of violet
gray, and rosy lips compressed to a
l firmness far beyond her years. For
after all she was scarcely seventeen,
and SO Deacon Gray was telling her
as he sat by the fire spreading his
huge hands over the blaze, and ask
ed abruptly:
But what are you going to do
to earn your bread and butter, my
: child?"
Il don't Know haze thought
mamma has an uncle living in New
York, who -
'.Yes, yes---I've heard tell about
him--he was mad cause your:poth-
er didn't marry just to suit him,
wasn't be2"
Minnie was silent Deacon Gray
waited a few minutes, hoping sire
would admit him to her secret med
itations; bu: she lid not, and tll,.
! deacon Went away home 10 tell his
wife that Harlan girl asthe queer
est creature he had ever come
across.
In the meantime Minnie was busy
packing her seanty things into her
carpet bag, by the wierd, hiekering
light OF the dying wood fire.
Il will 80 to Ncw York, She said
10 herself, setting her pearly teeth
together.
My mothers uncle shall hear my
cause pleaded through my own lips
Oh, wish my heart would not
tbrob so wildly ] am an orphan all
alone in the world. who must fight
liies battles with her own hands"
Lower Broadway at seven o'clock
in the evening What a babel Of
crashing wheels, htrrying human
ity and conglomerate noises it was
Minnie Harlan sat in the corner
of an express oiiice, under the flare
of gaslight, surrounded by boxes,
and wondered whethered people
ever went crazy in this perpetual
din and tumult. Her dress was yery
plain grayi popiin, with . shabby,
old fashioned little straw bonnet
| tied with black ribbons, and a blue
veil, while her only article Of bag
gage, the carpet-oag, lag in her lap.
She had sat there two hours, and
was very tired.
Poor little thing thought the
| dark haired youns clerk nearest her.
who Inhabited = sort Of wire cage
under a eirlet Of gas lights, and then
took up his pen and plunged into a
perfect Atlantic ocean Of accounts.
'Mr. Evans"
"Sir?'
The dark hair clerk emerged from
his cage with his pen behind his ear,
n obt ,lisfc &c to the beckoning finger
of bis sa ,erior.
81 l. We noticed that Young wo-
man 81 ing here for sometime-how
came re here?n
"EA pressed on from Millington.
Iowa. Arrived this afternoon"
As though poor Minnie were box
or paper parcel.
"Who for?"
Consigned to Walter Harrington,
Esq"
And why hasn't she been called |
5or?n
Il sent up to Mr. Harrington's al
dress TO notify him some time ago,
and am expecting an answer every
moment"
Very odd" said the gray haired /
gentleman, again taking up his
newspaper.
Some threr-Qusrters Of an hour
afterward Frank Evans came TO the
pale girls side, with indescribable |
pity in his hazel eyes
Miss Harlan. we have sent to Mr.
Harringtons residence"
Minnie looked up with a feverish I
red upon her c reek, and her hand
clasped tightly On the handle OF the
faded carpet-bag
And we regrev toiniorn YOU that
he sailed for Europe ut ~ o'clock
this day"
a sudde;. blur &c: noe over Ninnie's
syes-she trem bled like u lca.
Frank iivens had been terning /
away, h,lt something in the piicous
'nne- Of her voice appealed n every
manly instict within him.
'Shall send to IVY ether oi your
frien,ls?r
II have no friends
Perhaps can have your things
seat to some quiet family hotel"
Minnie opened her little leather s
pnrse and Showed him two ten cent
pieces. with Il smile that was 81
most Il tear.
This i, ali the money ] have in
the world, SIR"
But what are Won going 10 Clo2'
Il don't know -ir. Isn't there
workbouse, or some such place |
could go 70. until | coald find some I
thing TO 10?
Frank Even~ could scarcely help
smiling ut poor Minnie'S simplicity.
'fhev are putting out the light
and preparing to close the Office,
said Minnie, starting nervously t.
her feet. Il must go somewhere.
"Miss Harlan" said Frank, my
home is a very poor one-l am only
u five hundred dollar clerk
am sure my mother will receive You
under her roof for u ,lav or two, it
you can trust me-
Trust YOU Minnie looked at
him through violet eyes obscured in
tears. o''h, sir, shall be SO thank
fnl.
"iIow late yoa are, Frank, Here
give me your oveycoat-i. is all /
powdered with snow, and" +,
But Frank interrupted. his bust
ling. CHEEKY checked little mother. as
she stood on tip-toe to take off his
outer wrappings.
Hush, mother, there is a young
lady down stairs.s
"a young lady, Frank?"
"Yes, mother; expressed on from
Iowa TO old Harrington, the rich
merchant. He sailed for Europe
this morning, and she is left entire
ly alone. Mother, she looks ike poor