National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-03-17

10 llhb .uut Dtltu Ills hOub tAhApooNN
neither reproof nor surprise; it was simple |
greeting. Sal might have expected this She
bent through the open window and laughed
rudely, 81 wur here before"
as that SOP" lie looked upon her rs IL her
conduct were emnently proper. "Did you
wish to come in ~ no asked, invitingly.
Sal stared at him. Her defiant expression
gave place to one of surprise.
"What-meY
The teacher nodded.
"ln tharP
Certainly, if you wish to-
Sal sprang throuh the window.
Coin to singW sho asked impudently,
The teacher nodded and continued to turn
the leaves of his book without looking at her.
Page thirty.eight," no called to the boys,
and then handed his open book TO the little
guest.
win you sit down and sing with us?"
A peel of lOud coarse laughter was her
only answer. As she laughed she struck her
brown fists on her knees and rocked her body
to and fro. As suddenly she ceased to laugh
when she noticed tho stern expression on tho
teachers face. She hung her head, twisted
her fingers about and scratched tho door
with her foot in most embarrassed manner.
Cant read" she exclaimed suddenly, as
she looked into the teachers face lie placed
his hand on her bedragged unSempt head.
THAT makes no difference, child; some of
read each verso of the hymn before we
sing it,"
She silently accepted tho little stool that
was offered her aud sat ever SO still, with
downcast Dyes, as if she would not interrupt
tho full deep voice of the man who sang. And
then the room rc5Ounded with tho clear
voices of the children as they were lifted in
tuneful prayer. Sal did not stir. When the
song subsidized the sudden stiffness seemed to
awaken Sal as If from dream. The teacher
thought her cheek was moist.
~" Is there anything tho matter with you,
child?'
She shook her head, quietly returned the
book to him, and approached the door.
kin l 90 out hereP He opened the
door.
did you like our song, SARAH"
The habitually aggressive face looked
pitoous, and her great dark eyes glimmered.
They were suilused with tears. She rapidly
brushed tho back of her hand over her eyes
and ejaculatcd "Them fGllers busted my
see-saw, come here to bust them"
As harsh rs her words wero they conveyed
an explanation for her presence, in which the
child--perhaps nConsCiously-expres5ed re-
gret ior her evil intention,
The streets were still aud deserted. The
peaceful little city seemed to have gone asleep
with all Its inhabitants; only Old Granny
Smiths den was illumined by n solitary dip
light. A few ruiIians were discussing one of
these plans. the execution Of which had given
Shipponville its merited disrepute. Sal lay
crouched upon bundle Of ill-smelling straw,
asleep perhaps.
''rhe first of the month";" growled tho old
hag. "The kids bring the school money. Two
dollars each of EN-. Makes near $780, Now's
yer chance. Send Sal up tho lightnin' rod
and have her drop the rope ladder"
Sal knew that she was to take part in
robbing the schoolmasters monthly receipts.
She arose rapidly and attempted to glide out
of the room. Shorty and Granny Smith
graspcd her and the old bedam croaked:
"Was goin' to skip, was yer? knowed it,
We preacher. You're in love with him, is
yer clean gone, ley? Was goin' to slide
out an give us away, ye daisy? Thops tho
thanks we gets for fecdin' ye, yo cat. I'll
learn ye"--
"Hop on Granny" said Dan, tho pick
pocket, whose libations had stimulated him
into species of Judgment, stop beatin' an
cursn' of her now; when we've made the
rifle kill her il it suits ye; nobody'll care"
The old hag swore that she would, and
kicked the girl into the street. She con-
tinued to thump and kick her until the party
arrived at the academy; then she gave her
rope ladder, and as she ordered the child to
climb up tho lightning rod, Missed
"Git up to the window open il and fasten
the hooks into the sill. If ye make the lit
tlest noise to give us away Short'll be up after
yer and ho'll cut out yer lights and hisn, too.
Find the money an nobody won't get hurt"
The child's hard face looked uneasy in the
moonlight. In "a trice she was on the sill,
had opened the window, fastened the hooks
and dropped the ladder. Shorty was with
her in u moment. They passed through the
school room into the teachers sleeping apart
ment. Sal did not look ut the man; the ex-
element of the adventure made this theft
more attractive to her than all others had
been. She found tho cash-box and exult-
ingly casped it to her breast
"Thou shalt not steal-forgive those who
sin against thee" murmered tho teacher in
his sleep.
Shorty clapped his hand on SAILS mouth
and stihed the cry she was about to utter He
grasped her and quickly dragged her from
tho room.
When they returned to the window he re.
leased her.
"Yelp now, you pup an I'll go back an
cut his throat"
Sal stood back, rs if to allow him to descend
first Not much" ye dovil---you go first l
amt gon' to leave yer to yell"
sal crawed toward the ground. Shorty
followed, the frail ladder swinging and
threatening to break. "Hurry down, We cat"
said Shorty, when they were about midway
between the window and earth. Below stood
Granny Smith and Dan; above her Shorty
with his brightly cleaning knife. Her time
had como; she would not steal from the only
being that had ever spoken kind word to
her. Before her intent could DO understood
she had ran up to shorty, wrcnched the knife
from his hand and cut one side of the rope
ladder. "Help! murder thieves" she
screamed.
The instinct of self-preservation caused
her to cling to the ladder but the weight
being thrown Oh one hook alone it tore
through the wood of the sill and-a groan, q
Grassland Shorty aud Sal lay on the street.
lie shiyered. seemed to choke and gurgle.
Shorty WAS before n higher Judge than ever
passed sentence on him on earth.
The noise had attracted few helated way
farers, and u moment later IL . schOolmaster
came out with u lantern.
"Mhat is the mattor?' He saw tho bodies.
Are thoy badly hurt|
Some one answered, "Shppenville thieves,
Good for them. Why, here's Looney Sal
got her deserts Mt last"
"Oh, no: am sure she did not intend any
wrong" said the teacher, as he lifted her little
head She looked at him with u SMILE and
when his expression assured her tlat she
would be believed, gasped: "Teacher-I
woudn't-hook hin'-frOm-yer-yer is
good to me-"
"Don't speak, poor child. I know you
would not" He looked upon her suffering,
quivering form.
I'D like ter go ter school," she breathed,
lie took her in his arms and carried her into
tho same class room into which she had in
trudcd but few days before.
Had we not better send for a surgeouW
asked one Of the good natured neighbors