Charlotte messenger. [volume] (Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., N.C.) 1882-18??, 1882-09-30

7
well = said he, "who are you, little
gSrss"
Nelly Aesan," she answered, with.
oat moving, l1S
sANSaSAl AustSnI" repeated Mr.. Viii.
lard s.Are yoa the daughter OF Mr..
James Austin that was killed by the
raeA at Wlnaham some years agog"
"1es, sSF,~ answered Nelly, "and l
want 10 tell you something"
SVsSy vel" said Mr.. Willard, pat,
ting her On the head, ~ am listening.
Bat speak quickly, for 1t is late, and I
@Sst post my letters before the mail
goes 0as."
S0A, Mc, Willard" cried Nelly, ex,
eStealy seSzSag his hand aud pulling
him toward the gate, "don't 60 through
the woods to the postofiice tonight"
'SWhy aow Questioned the old gen.
tassasA in surprise.
because there's dreadful man wait.
ing hehSaa the sycamore tree to kill
yoa with a big pistol. Just as they did
my Door father"
~How did yoa learn this, Neny?"
asked Nh, Willard, wonderingly, and
hooking closely at her,
Then Nelly related all she had seen
and heard fron her hiding place upon
the orchard wall.
Mr. wSllara stood in silence for some
moments after Nelly had finished her
ssozyS then he lifted her upon his arm
and saSaS
"Yoa are a good kind girl, little
Nelly and I thank you, Do you know
that a man values his lie more than
anything else he possesses. and that you
have saved niae9 Now, Nelly, ask me
ter s0aethSng You would like to have
for yo@ssslG No matter what it is, you
shah have 1t Remember, am a very
rseA ran,"
"wOala you really give me anything
] ask fose" said Nelly, looking inquir-
SnSly into Mr., Wizards face,
YES my dear, anything in my power.
Now woald You like carriage with two
beautiful little cream >colored ponies to
SrSve yoarselfe Or what would you likep
Speak cat Nelly, and don't be afraid"
ssNo. !" said Nelly. shaking her head.
sseoaSes would be very nice. But that's
not ii, What want would cost ever
soHneAmoFe, Isnppose. want you,"
said she. hesSAtSngly, while she stroked
his white beard softly with one hand,
so please give in to the poor people at
WIaahan,"
Swhat = strange childr' said Mr..
Willard slowly. '.And is that all,
Nellygn
$No&qaSte, answered Nelly. "There"
something more that I feel bad about
SPEAK, dear, what is itg'
sSYoa know the wicked man in the
woods waiting to kill your Well he
said his wife and babies were starving.
Please don't put him in prison."
'sBat, Nelly," said Mr.. Willard, very
kindly, ',yoa know this man has done
very wrong, 1t is he and others like
hSE who sur up discomfort among the
factory people and cause these terrible
Ssaxskes,' which only end in keeping
them idle for weeks, until they grow so
EASss sahle that dreadful crimes are COM
HSttea,s
s4sS bat want yon to forgive them.
Some people say they are very reason
able IN what they want this time, and
yea can do It Just this once. They are
10 poor and wretched and hungry.
Please. please dol"
Nh. willard kissed her. "well, Nelly"
he said. II promise. The work.people
sAall have their own way, and Bill shall
50 nnpaAlshed. Now what shall I give
yoAg"
'sNosAinR, thank you," answered
Nelly, slipping from his arms. 81 must
50 koae, for mamma doesn't know
where I am. Good,by, Mr.. Willard;
thank You ever so much for your
psoaSses
'Good,hy, Nelly. Now kiss ne, and
take care Of yNurself until see you
again.
Next morning when the factory bells
sa0g cut, il was known all over Wind
kAA that the working people were to
20 10 work on their own terms. Mr..
Willard had given in. Once more the
aoess were dung open, black smoke
rushed from thechinneys the machinery
kUnned aud buEaed, and busy, cheeIfal
fesms could be seen huFrying TO and fro.
Bat = day or two later q meeting OF
the factory people was called, and then
the story was told that Mr.. Willard had
yielded. not 10 the demands Of Bill aud
his fellows. but 10 the prayer OF a little
girl Who hal forgiven the men who
murdered her father. and who could
nes be content to see them suffer.
Not leng after, Mr.. Willard called on
Nelly's mother and sat talking with her
tor = long While, As he took his leave
he Pat q folded paper in Mrs Austin's
hand, telling her there was something
tos Nelly. After he was gone Mrs
Austin opened the paper and called