Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1882-12-28

irleuuSs HOT uoDOuy TO look dIter us IN
the world now. Mothers dead, you
know" and such a rush Of tears
blinded her eyes that l felt my own be-
ginning to water in sympathy.
Curious to learn how such pair be-
came so utterly forlorn and to have
any connection with such a man like
Smithson, I took the two home with
me and gradually drew out Of Maggie
the following simple details:
Her mother, Mrs. Dayton. refined
and well-educated woman, had been a
widow for some years. Their home
had been in Philadelphia, and Mrs.
Dayton. being of spirited and indie
pendent nature, had struggled hard,
without once letting their condition
be known to any Of their acquaint-
ances. AT last she found that the
struggle had been vain one, and that
by selling all her furniture she would
barely clear her rent and other iabili-
ties. This she did without murmer,
and then resolved to quit the scene of
her troubles and humiliation. She
finally landed in New York with only
a few dollars. The weather was
stormy and severe and the snow lay
deep on the ground. Wet feet and the
unwonted exposure and exertion
which succeeded her arrival in
the metropolis soon prostrated the
friendless woman. With her last
breath. however, she enjoined Mag
gle not to allow them to take her
and Billy to the almshouse, but to
seek out an old acquaintance of her
own. whose address she had when she
left Philadelphia.
That night Maggie and Billy were
orphans. Then, with her perceptions
sharpened by her mothers last words,
Maggie heard some remark about the
almshouse and the advisability of
placing them in it,. The moment she
say her mother hidden in the icy
ground she took Billy aside and con-
fded to him the alarming state Of af-
fairs.
Together they knelt down on the
new-made grave and clasped their lit
tie blue hands; then Maggie said a
prayer with many little interruptions
to cry and wipe Billy's eyes. She asked
God to look down on them and make
them forget to cry and not feel lonely,
and be as happy as if their mother was
still beside them. To this Billy said
Amen, and they both kissed the cold
turf and at last dragged themselves
away.
Now Maggie's first thought was to
seek out the address of her mothers
acquaintance.
But here another cruel disappoint-
ment awaited them.
They found the place and the very
house. but it was empty. and being,
with its neighbors. dismantled to
make room for some Improvements,
and the tenant was gone no one knew
whittier.
After this crushing blow the two
had to retire into dark stair to re-
lieve their little hearts, and then when
they had in some measure composed
themselves they wandered aimlessly
through the city. till at last Billy COM
planned of hunger.
A quarter which Maggie had, by
some unlucky accident was lost, and
nothing was left her now but to try
and dispose of locket containing
portrait of her mother which was at
that moment suspended by a slight
chain from her neck,
For this purpose she made her way
into Baxter street to the very store
where Tom Smithson carried on busi-
ness.
The hideous face of the old miser
frightened her, as it had frightened
many a one before; but the thought
Of Billy nerved her on and she man.
aged to make her shaking hands undo
the locket.
" If you. please, sir, would you buy
that?" she asked in tremulous tones.
"Can't buy it-not allowed to buy
from children" he snarled, with look
that curdled her blood; "send your
mother"
My mother-my mother-oh, my
motherl" was all she got out; and then
a scalding rush of tears hid the ugly
monster from her sight.
Cant have you crying here; leave
my storep he growled.
But, as if taking another thought. he
fumbled in his pocket and drew out a
quarter, which he gave to her.
"And now get out of my store I" he
cried. harshly, "and don't let me see
you here again"
But Maggie still fingered, and atlast
got out the words:
"If you please, sir, it's my mothers
portrait; would you open it and give
me one look at it, and won't trouble
you any more?'
The miser appeared struck dumb at
the odd request, but mechanically COM
piled. holding it well in front of her.
that she might have good look at the
-. Iox,<l Fonk.,~or