The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1882-11-03

hope, and honest believe. Arc yol
lost, or WHAT"
y > She glanced irresolntely up and dow
the street, and tfcn came as he bid
Uudcr the light of the lamp he saw tina
she was a dark. haired, black-cyed girl
apparently lG, dressed neatly in
countryfied dress and hat, and shaw
that seemed to him rather heavy for III,
season.
"You sec what [ am" Pin' said
when she had given him one glance
over: "my name is John George Pin
a Woodworking clerk, with no evil dc
signs OH any one alive. Tell me you
troubles, and if can help You l will"
BetwiXt sobs and catching fol
breath, she told her little tale. Com
ing down from backwoods farm il
Maine, to "seek her fortune" as ser
vantgirl in that great city, with @
small purse of money. she met Will
not all uncommon adventure, viz: her
pocket was picked, and when she step.
ped into the hustle and noise of the
hard street, she found herself penny
less. Timid and retiring, her mind
filled with variety of warnings of the
dangers and temptations around her,
she wandered aimlessly on, resting
here and there when opportunity offer
ed, till at length night coming OIL, foot
sore and weary, she wandered into the
place where Pifr discovered her.
When he had heard her story, he
pondered deeply, and then burst out
"Thafs nothing, Miss, don't worry
for tonight; I'll get you food and
lodging, and tomorrow we'll see what
can be done. Come along with me,
live a fow doors down. Don't be
afraid, child, wouldn't harm you for
the world. My landlady will look af-
ter you-a very nice lady-and at all
events for he saw she was hcsitatng
--"it'll be better than being on the
street all night for like as not the po-
lice would find you out, and lock You
up. And trust me, they'll not bcivo
your story. THERE" With this, the
gallant Pin drew long breath and
paused. She glanced shyly at him,
and locked and interlockcd her fingers.
as is the fashion of shy young females.
al will trust you, sir" she whisper
cd, brokemly. "Dui, chr with a
burst of tears, "lor the sake of q poor,
old mother down in my hoIne, don't
lead me TO any harm"
Som cthirg clicked in Pin's throat,
and, looking up, she saw his eyes were
full of tears. "IIc must have a moth
or too," she said 10 herself, and with
out another word, moved down the
street with him.
Miss PIN was Pih's lundlady. Miss
nj, . . Ia1oc .--5"- -"i7o
t'ifi was always suspected of having
designs matrimonial on John George
Pifl. Also did she have horror of shy
dropping young females.
Pin called her every nice lady,"
but when lie opened the front door
that night with his latch key, and in
troducod his young protegc within the
sacred limits of the PIN mansion, a |
nervous trcmor and chill went down |
his spinal cord that made him wish all
distressed ladies, for tie moment, in
the bottom of the sea.
But he was in for ii now, and, bid
ding the young girl remain in the
background, he stepped up to the
door, in manner which betrayed al
once that she had been listening at the
key hole.
"My dear Miss Pim," began PHI in
his oiliest manner, "oxcuse me for dis
turuiH5 ,Ou at ,iis iutv i.v"r, p"e
knowing your genial and charitable
nature, venture! to reckon on your
assistance. | found young girl
homeless and destitute"
"a young girl:" interjected Miss
PIN, pursing her lips.
"a child of fifteen or so-homclcss
and desiitute-and, knowing that you
had that little side room vacant, risk
cd bringing her here"
"Ilem !" coughed Miss PIN.
"My dear madam" expostulated
Piil, "the child is an utter stranger TO
me; but il you accommodate her, and |
hunt mp little supper for her, | will
not only pay You handsomely, but will |
be eternally obliged to you. / relied |
on you," lie added with subtle ilattery,
"for knew you would do anything
for ne. shall leave her with youY
Miss PIN relaxed in rigity, smile
began TO play around the corners of
her mouth, aud she nodded assent.
Handing the girl over to her care, and |
informing her he would see her in the
morning, he retired TO rest, his mind
much relieved. | have just told two
hbs, for, although he retired he did not |
rest, and if his mind was relieved of
one burden, halr dozen came TO keep
his brain active. 1t seemed to him |
that the face he had seen that night up-
der the gas lamp, filled every nook and |
corner of his heart and soul and mind. |
lie speculated on this and he speculat-
cd on that; he wished this, that and
the other, but at the end of each and
all he found himself bringing in the
black eyed lass as a part and parcel OF
them. A strange lightness seemed
within his heart, as though bright
and sparkling spring had joined with
its waters the dull and sluggish stream
of his life.
Whon ho ou,oI,o tha noxt p,ornino