The Labor enquirer., 1883-01-20

presents. He doesn't know me; but ne \
knew father. Icould go y him great
deal more freely than to MrABurdan.0
! "If that is your feeling toward Mr.
Bostwirk," !" said Mrs. Wild, ayou had bet-i
ter seeEhim. The favor yonwill ask is 50
small, that he cannot find it in his heart
to refuse
4 Butwhen Mary's thought went forward
to the proposed interview with MI. Bost-
wick, her courage failed, and the day
passed lin weak despondency. After q
miserable night came another troubled
morning. No plain way opened before
the stumbling feet of Mary Wild. Her
mother, who knew how sensitive we're
her feelings, sand nothing more on the
subject of trying to get a loan from Mr..
Bostwick, She would not move her to (
that ordeal by the pressure Of a single
consideration. If Mary went to him, it
must be entirely her own act. =
Nearly the whole day passed in weak
indecision on the part Of Mary. A hun
dred times almost did she endeayor to
brace her mind for the painful work that
lay before her; and as often, when inn
agination pictured her in>interviewN with Z
Mr.. Bostwick, did her heart sink down
in her bosom, weak and shivering. \ .
The day had waned until it was nearly
six o'clock. and still Mary shrunk back
from the only path that seemed opening
for.her feet She was sitting alone in
her room, partly dressed to 60 out, when
a mans voice in the passage startled her.
Going to the head Of the stairs, she list
ened, and soon understood what was
going on below. The man had come
from the grocers where they dealt, for
bill of twelve dollars, which her mother
was unable to pay. He had already
called several times, and was now threat
ening and insolent. Mary stood listen
ing, while her mother meekly offered
excuses, and asked for more time in
which to settle the bill. She hesitated
no longer after the man retired, but
made hasty preparation for going out.
Resolution had become fixed She would
see Mr.. B0stwick.
Not until she found herself seated in
the parlor of Mr.. Bostwick, and await
ing an interview with that individual,
did her heart again falter. Now, in the
face of the ordeal she had so dreaded,
she trembled and grew faint. There
were a few minutes Of suspense, and
she was face to face with the man whom
her fancy had invested with a sphere Of
gentlemanly kindness and humanity.
His hard, keen eyes looked into hers
from beneath knitted brows with sus-
piCiOus interrogation.
"Miss Wild" she said, timidIy.
"What Miss Wild?" All the girls fond"
illusion was gone in a moment. Could
this, indeed, be the father of Annie
Bostwick?"
81 am Mr.. Howard Wild's daughter"
The voice was faint.
"Oh! All Yes. Be seated, Miss"
Mary had arisen, and was stifl standing.
She sat down.
well, Miss Wild, what have you to
say?" Nothing could have been colder
Or more unsympathetic than the voice
of Mr.. Bostwick.
Mary's first thought, after this recep-
ton, was to retire, without asking for the
help she had come to seek. But her ex-
tremity was too great. To abandon this
seemed like giving up every
thing. So, in kind of desperation, she
"My faith her, sir left US very poor when
he died. You knew my father"
"Well-yes-slightly, in a business
way" Mr.. Bostwick spoke with the
most repellant indifference. ~
NEARLY everything was taken from us,
sir, by the creditors-even my piano."
continued Mary. eve have nothing to
live upon; and wanted to do something
to help. So rented a piano for ten dol
lars quarter, and tried to get music
scholars But [ was young, and had -.
never taught music. People didn't like
to send their children. At first I had
three scholars then only two. I have
not been able to get money to pay the
rent Of my piano, and the owner threat
ems to take it away. If that is taken,
sir, l am helpless. A few weeks ago, r z