The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1883-03-10
Jake's Little Girl.

attached to the dance house who rejoices
In the name of Faro Jake. Jake is q very
gentlenanly fellow, and as polite as .
| French dancing master. He has no small
vices; neither smokes, drinks, chews
nor swears. He is accounted the most
expert faro dealer on the frontier. He
lives IN little tent Oh the outskirts OF
the town, his companion o lovely little
! girl about six years old who calls him
papa. The little cne's name is Bessie.
She is q pure and innocent creature. with
q fresh, sunny face, lighted by great blue
eyes. Her hair Is as deaay as corn silk
and hangs down her back in long curls.
At very infrequent intervals she comes
into town. was here on the occasion
Of one of these rare visits. It was
Sunday evening, and work being
suspended on most of the railroad con-
tracts, the town was full and business
was booming. The saloon where her
father deals is the largest in town, and at
least two hundred rough men, armed to
the teeth, were scattered about the
apartment. A dance was in progress
in the hall. It was just after
pay day, and money was flush and was
being squandered with prodigal lib
W0c bCftt00 Ab tll6 COEu6I Ol
the bar, watching the nimble fingers of
monte dealer at an adjoining table.
The air about was blue with tobacco
smoke and profanity. Suddenly hush
fell upon the rioters, and all eyes were
turned towards the door. Standing on
the threshold, with half confident, half
tlmid look on her face, was little Bessie.
She was dressed in snow white dress,
or06 ho~ n
a rough doll, which she held tight to her
breast.
"Come in, little one!'' cried O big
navy. Sure, there's no man here will
harm hair nv yer head, you pretty little
sunbame."
Thus assured, Bessie came into the
room and walked straight to the table
where her father was dealing.
Bessie" he cried, and frowned.
"Oh, papa" she shouted, and sprang
forward. IT was SO lonely and just came
flor one kiss" Sho put her arms around
her fathers neck and laid her soft cheek
against his. Now, please don't be
cross, papa. Kiss me, and I will go
straight back"
Faro Jake kissed the soft. red mouth
uplifted to his dozen times.
Il can't be cross with you, Bessie, he
said, and carried her to the door. run
home now, like good girl"
The hush in the room had deepened,
and men who, for aught I know, had
hands red with the blood of their fellow
kind, held their breath In the presence
OF this vision of ioveliness and purity.
Jake stopped to kiss her again at the
door. One of the dance hall sirens had
been deyouring the little one with hun
cry eyes. AS Bessie gathered her doll
closer and prepared for the run home
she stepped forward.
"Jaker she said in hoarse voice and
touched the gamblers arm. Il know I
amt fit to, but will you let me kiss her?"
Bessie heard the question and
turned her v ondrous blue eyes towards
th e speakers face.
Papa don't care, = she said, che likes
to have people kiss me-"
The woman sprang forward and caught
her in her arms. She kissed the pure
face score of times and Rugged her
close.
God bless you. little angel she said,
and sitting Bessie down, she turned
away. The child ran off, throwing back
kisses from the tips of her pink fingers,
and the men cheered.
You're fool, Liz said tall cow
boy, striding up to the woman "What
do ye want to act so babyish for? Come.
let's have another drink and go back to
the hall. .
MOP cried the woman fercely. ST
dance no more, drink no more this
night
She rushed past the cowboy toward
the door leading to her tent. When she
passed me her painted face had new
light in it and there were tears in her
eyes. Ali one sees great deal of human
nature, good and bad Philadelphia
Times.