Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-12-21
Louisville Corier Journal.

Louisville Corier Journal
Cropping his way through the dark, and
stumbling against unlocked for walls and
other obstructions,a reporter of the Courier
Journal made his way late last evening to
the fourth floor of the old, aban-
doned National hotel, corner of Fourth
and Main streets. He was in search of
the widow of the late chief-justice of
the court of appeals of this state.
Mrs. Kate Thurman Hardin. The immense
building, above the ground floor, is left to
the sportive pranks of myriads of bold
rats, and besides Mrs. Hardin, who has
been buried in this old rookery for the past
six years, there is but one other tenant, an
old lady, Mrs. Lee.
The reporter was told by this quaint old
person, who lives at the head of a crazy
stairs which leads to the third foor,ro keep
right on up. After fumbling about among
interminable passages On the fourth floor,
and after knocking on a score of doors, one
was finally reached behind which the voice
of child responded to the reporters
knock with the query: 'Who is it?''
There was no need to wonder why this
baby voice sounded weak and piteous.
The reporter knew that Mrs. Hardin's only
companion was her little seven-year old
girl Katie. There were no streaks of light
coming through the door, nor from the
key-hole, nor from under the door, where
the cold drafts of the empty halls broke in
upon the little starveling behind it.
''Who is it," demanded the lonely child.
"A gentleman to see Mrs. Hardin" re-
sponded the reporter, and the sound of
his voice bounded through the dungeon
like corridors as might crew of saucy,
chattering imps.
Mammals been out since IL o'clock,
said the poor child, SAN don't know
what's keeping her."
"Where did she go to?" the reporter
then asked.
81 don't know, sir,'' came from within,
''but she's gone some place to look for a
new home"
This was perfectly we'll understood, since
it was known that the unfortunate lady
had been ordered to quit her present abode
at the latest next Saturday.
care you locked INF" was asked.
'Oh, yes, sir" responded the child, in a
surprised tone, mamma always locks me
in when she goes away.
"Why don't you light the lamp?"
The child would not answer this ques-
ton, though it was repeated three times.
Finally the reporter asked the little voice
if the matches were misplaced, and the
answer came that she could not find them.
THERE WERE NonE TO FIND.
Returning to the sprightly old lady on
the third floor, the reporter was kindly en-
tertained in his waiting. In the course of
half an hour Mrs Hardin came up the rick
ETY. steps, which seemed to count her steps
In doleful creaks. She was met at the
head of the stairs by the reporter, and her
salutations were those Of the refined wom-
an. Mrs. Lee came out with her lamp and
held it aloft until Mrs. Hardin and the re-
porter had reached the fourth floor.
Nov, if you will follow me-" said Mrs.
Hardin, sTll show you to our room, but Pm
afraid you'll not find us in very good or
der for receiving company"
All the while the lady kept up a show of
cheerfulness which it was sadly apparent
was as hollow, so far as real substance
went, as the sound of her voice along the
halls. Having gone the same weary road
for SO many years, Mrs. Hardin had little
difficulty in her progress to where the
child SO anxiously waited for her.
cts mamma, darling" she said, as she
reached her door, and the gladstone re-
Spouse came back.
"Oh, Pm SO glad"
The reporter waited on the outside for
Mrs. Hardin to light the lamp, and pres
emily it became only too apparent there
was not a match on the premises. Feel
ing in his pocket the reporter found one
which was there by the merest accident.
The lamp to be lighted had scarcely any
oil, and it was devoid of chimney. With
the dull flicker thrown out by this globe
less lamp, picture of genteel poverty
stood out in that room in most striking
eolors. There was not q particle of fire in
the CRATE nor any coal or wood 10
make one with. There was no stove,
and the appearance of the wretched
little daughter, now seen in all
her misery. was enough to make the heart
sick. She had on very much soiled CAL
leo wrapper that was once white. God
only knows VIA cotLiog was under it, but
it did seem there was nothing between it
and the child's skin. Her face and hands
were blood red with cold, and she held her
little hands beneath her arm pits, taking
them out now and then to breathe on them.
There was bed in one corner of the room,
beside which was small table. On this
stood water pitcher that shone in all the
brightness of much polished silver. There
were two chairs in the room and a table
somewhat smaller than an ordinary kitchen
table. A sewing machine stood against
one wall, and the mantlepiece had some
ornaments that seemed to stand there like
skeleton reminders of the charms of the
Preside. The CRATE seemed to throw out
cold blast.
While the reporter was observing all this
wretchedness (fearfully oppressive, be-
cause as mistress of it stood woman who
for years ranked as second lady of the
state) Mrs. Hardin was soothing her child,
who was positively cheerful and had plenty
of shy smiles for the reporter, as we'll as
caresses and cheerful words for her
mamme.
PLEASANT OLD CAT
joined in the welcome to the mistress of
this cold, cherries room, and when he
wasn't being Rugged by little Katie he was
-,