The banner-enterprise., 1883-04-19
perhaps little thoughtlessly: What's

- NoAO Wulu WdS ubtCiOu bilC leu
Sk..'t was gathered up by the half.
ro2en hands and hid under the dilapi.
lated oyercoat.
al amt a girl-Pm Willie Hale,
and I've lost my way 7 and then the
nands went uD 20 the face, and the
'!eSpisad sk:It dropped down into sight
again.
"'rs'i me where you live,' said l,
and [ will take you to the street.
[ don't live on any street-only
way Off by the water, and 1 can't find
my way back, cause the storm comes
in my face So
Il took his stiffened fingers in my
warmly-gloved hands and bent over
him so as to shut out the blast, bidding
him cheer up and think of something
which would indicate the direction OF
MS home, and l would take him
there.
Finally, lie thought of a great big
chimney which, he said, went most
NJ to the sky and added, quantity
If it should ever fall down it would
bury us up so deep we could never get
ont: but | haven't told mother of it,
because 'twould worry her, you
know
Il drew him closer to me- for he
had touched my heart by his thought
fulness of his mother. l told him |
would take him to the big chimney and
then he could find his mothers house
himself. He kept firm hold of my
hand as we started off, and said with a
happy look into my face: You can
walk fast and can run, and we will
get there quick, won't we?'
"Curious looks were cast upon us
as we trudged along the slippery
street, but we needed them not, and
so much interested did l become in
the;ittle fellow that l forgot to leave
him when he came to the place he had
GoSignated, and the first / knew he
was ieaiing me into long narrow
lane. and stopped before a miserable
lwel'ing. l followed the child up
some rickety stairs and soon found
myself in the presence of a sick woman
who was propped up in bed, trying to
sew.
"' could not find him. said the
Child, 'and l got lost, and this good
man brought me home
"She looked up wistfully into my
face. Thank you, sir, for bringing
my darling back to me; it's something
new for him to go out alone, but l am
helpless now. She kept on with her
work, though her hands trembled and
her race was covered with tears.
at was different scene from any
l had met with in my short experience
of pastoral life, but my sympathy, ex-
pressed in words and manner, soon
drew from the poor woman her story.
1t came out by degrees broken in upon
by sobbing and weakness. As is often
the case, 1T was not always thus
She had begun life with fair prospects,
but after few years of great happi-
ness her sorrows commenced with the
loss of her husband, by a terrible acci-
dent. He hal always been prudent
and industrious. but when she paid
the last cent due on his burial she had
scarcely dollar to help herself with
and three children dependent upon
her. After she buried her baby she
took the other two, girl of seven
and Willie, who was then four, and
came to this city, because she had
brother living here who was sure to
help her, if he only knew her necessi-
ties. A frail hope, as she found. He
had acquired wealth and position, and
was troubled with poor relations.
They had had the sane chance to
make their way in life that he had,
and if they had been careless and i'm
provident he was not going to suffer
for them.
ellis wife gave me some sewing to
10, but so scanty was the pay | might |
have starved on it, only for the assist
aDce of my neighbors who, though |
poor, are very kind. When my little
girl died l sent for him again, and he
helped me, through the Benevolent So
ciety, with the understanding that |
should keep our relationship a secret |
md let him alone in future. | would |
not have accepted it, only to keep my
larling girl from being buried publicly .
Dy the city,
"She wept during the recital un-
,ontrollably, and at the close aided bit
.erly: | understand that my brother,
Blank, has the reputation of
icing exceedingly generous, and that
ne is connected with all the benevolent
Of the day
els Howard Blank your brotherp' |
,sked, in great surprise.
"Yes; do you know him?'
az thought l knew him well, but l
ind there is wide difference between
reputation and character. With your
permission l shall see him, and try and
influence him to do something FOR you.
Perhaps l can touch his pride, if not
lis heart
"1t will be of no use,' said she; 'he
Will say l have broken my word in
cling you; but you were so kind, and
so desolate, that l opened my whole
leart to you
:" | promised to be careful of her
ecret, and to see her again before
light.
81 went directly home and told
our mother all but the circumstances
,onnected with the brother. Her kind
leart was instantly aroused, and while
was talking she began to gather up
lifferent things which might be needed
n the. sick-room. In less than two
lours there was a cheerful fire in that
Ittic room, the bed was comfortably
lrranged Mrs. Hale was well cared
or, and Willie had dined like prince.
Toward nipht | took my waV in