The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1884-06-27

OF Der rigut nchd. Dut Dtcky 4
loved the queer little moItal she |
had married 80 well that she stop
ped crying FIRST, and picked mp his |
head aud patted ii, aud kissing |
him between the eyes, great fright.
ened light blue eyes, that seemed
made for crying.
"You stay at home and mind the +,
place. she said. " I'm going out |
awhile. Perhaps ihere1l be a bit
luck-who knowsf7
She pnt on her bonnet and shawl
such "a thin shawi-whicIi had
been used for an iron ciolh, and
had an iron. shaped scorch between
the sholders-snd took up u bas-
krt.
The cobliler looked at her.
"Becky," he said hoarsely
"Dscky.'
She knew Just what be meant.
"rhr children, Nick sue said
"we could starve--but them poor
little critters. Nick, il won't seem
like begging when MS tor them.'
And then the door shut behind
her-and poor Nick liuped after
her us though 10 stop her; tbeu
paused, and fairly tung fimself
down upon the door, wishing he
were under the ground beneath II.
"God forgive the man that mar
rics "a woman to starve her, be
sobbed. "Why il Id known IL
would have come to this, I'd aever
have courted ber. It's time was
tlead.n
Perhaps, being q strange, impul.
sive little fellow, there might have
been q tragic end to this little
scene, but that the children came
| in from school aud began to cry
partly at the sight OF thelr pros.
tratc father, party because OF hun
ger-and Nick forgot himself TO do
what he could tor them.
| He had no dinner, but he had 4
great deal OF love TO give them
aud somc pieces OF red kid, aud
the fact that "mother' and the bas
kct had gone together impresse,
them with a hope of provisions.
Meanwhile Becky had gone a
begging. 1t would be horrible, NJ
doubt, shs thought, to take foot
trom strangers, but she found Their
was one thing even more terrible =
not to take IT.
Door alter door was slammed j
4 her face Once n dog WAS set
her, or she thought so. Profe,
sional beggars had made them
, selves nuisances to many people
and how were they to know rea
D poverty when il asked alms Me
whom they had pitied as paupcl
proved to be owners of real estate
Cripples aud blind men whom the
had aided were f0nnd TO bav
, bound up strong liuIbs aud glue
their eyes togethcr--so they wen
, hard upon real distress aud refuse
. it broken bread.
. At six that evening Becky stoo
r ut a street corner With one crust |
her basket---no more.
; Beyond lay a pawubroker's shol
{ and Becky looked at its golde
balls aud at her wedding ring. Sh
had worn it fifteen years and
5 was thin and trail, but pure gol,
/, Through all she bad kept it nut
now. Must it goi The though
was worse than begging.
!. Becky took step forward, al
I other back. Then she began I
). cry little. Niok's ring that |
t put ON her hand so long ago-ol
II dear! oh, dear!
!. But she grew brave again an
G walked into the shop and pawne
\ the ring. 1t was not much the
e gave her for it, but it would bu
Q supper, aud perhaps Nick wouldn
/. notice and perhaps she could y
it back. That was u very fail
:, "perhaps" however.
Il A woman was in tho pawnshC
IA as she waited, bargaining with Il
d proprietor over a suit OF little girl
>. clothing-costly things, strange
e out of place in her hands. Becl
W noticed this, saying to herself th'
Y were never fairly come by. Is
y she had forgotten all about
when, coming out Of the bakers,
little voice fell on her car, al
;" looking down she saw barefo
70 child OF four in wretchcd rags so
1 bing piteously.
r. Becky was soft at heart; but
poor quarters crying children we
II, waiting for the loaves IN her bl
"a ket. She walked on hastily and
upset the toddler. Then Bee
ID must needs stop and pick her up.
ut "Why don't you 60 homo
I'D your mother this night time," .
ig said. "and not stand here to
I'd knocked about ~
tol And a little thread OF a vo
IN answered;
lis ~ can't tind mamma. ! ca
ut and my home. Where is MANN
IN. oh, mammal
nd Becky knelt down. A wb
u head OF crumpled curls and q y
be of blue eyes, swimming In tea
she could just make out
No But the child could tell uothi
Ter 1t was plainly lost. Becky Z
en- II iu her arms aud made inquil
be at the corner grocery, where
ort bought a slice OF ham ; but no
be knew the child. 1t was grow
49,. ia+o too and Rnrkv anui1