The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1884-06-26

14lOi I14 SiiN IoNt his'iiiSN oO "Sl4,
that she stopped crying first, and
picked mp his head and patted it,and
kissed him between the eyes-great
frightened, light blue eyes, that
seemed made for crying.
You stay at home and mind the
place." she said. I'm going out
awhile. Perhaps there'll be a bit
Of luck-who knows?'
She put on her bonnet and shawl
such q thin little shawl-which had
been used for an ironing cloth, and
had an iron-shaped scorch between
vhe shouldcrs-and took up a bas-
ket.
The cobbler looked at her.
"Becky,' he said, hoarsely;
Becky
She knew Just what he meant"
The little children, Nick" she
said; I'VE could starvc-but them
poor little critters. Nick, it won't
seem like begging when its for
them"
And then the door slut behind
her-and poor Nick limped after
her, as though to stop her; then
paused, and fairly flung himself
down upon the floor, wishing he
were under tile ground beneath it.
God forgive the man that mar
ries woman to starve her." he
sobbed. Why, if Id known it
would have come to this. Id never
have courted her. It's time I was
dead"
Perhaps being a strange. impul-
sive little fellow, there might have
been a tragic end to this little
scene, but that the children came in
from school and began to cry
partly at the sight of their PROSTATE
father, partly because Of hunger
and Nick forgot himself to do what
he could for them.
l. e had no dinner, but he had a
great deal of love to give them and
some pieces Of red kid. Only the
youngest chewed the kid, and the
fact that another and the basket
were gone togather impressed them
with q hope Of provisions.
Meanwhile Becky had gone a-beg-
ging. 1t would be horrible, no
doubt, she thought, to take food
from strangers, but she found there
was one thing even more terrible
not to take it.
Door after door was slammed in
her face. Once dog was set at
her, or she thought so. Profession
al beggars Lad made themselves
nuisances to many people, and how
were they TO know real poverty
when it asked aims? Men whom
they had pitied as paupers proved
to be owners of real estate. Grip
Piles and blind men whom they had
aided were found to have bound up
strong limbs ard glued their eyes
together-so they were hard upon
real distress and refused it broken
bread.
At 6 that evening Becky stood at
q street corner with one crust in her
basket-no NOR.
Beyond lay a :;wnbroker's shop
and Becky looI, Il at its golden
balls and at her wedding ring. She
had worn it fifteen years and it was
thin and frail, but pure gold. Through
all she had kept it until now.
Must it go? The thought was worse
than begging.
Becky took q step forward, an
other back. Then she began to cry
little. Nick's ring that he put on
her hand SO long ago-oA, dear oh
dear.
But she crew brave again and
walked into the shop and pawned
the ring. 1t WAS not much they
gave her for it, but it would by sup.
per, and perhaps Nick wouldn't
notice; and perhaps she could get
it back. That was q very faint,
perhaps" however.
A woman was in thepawnshop as
she waited bargaining with the pro-
prietor over suit of little girls
clothing-ccstly things, strangely
out of place in her hands. Becky
noticed this, saying to herself that
they were never fairly come by.
But she had forgotten all about it
when, coming out Of the bakers q
little voice fell on her ear, and,
looking down. she saw q barefoot
child of four in wrctched rags. sob
bing piteously.
Becky was soft Of heart; but in
poor quarters crying children were
common enough, and her own were
waiting for the loaves in the basket.
She walked on La -tily, and SO up
toddler. Then Becky must needs
stop and pick her up.
Why don't you 90 home to your
mother this night time" she said,
land not stand here to be knocked
down."
And little silver thread of
voice answered:
Il can't find my home. Where
is mamma? Oh, mamma
Becky knelt down. A white
head Of crumpled curls and pair
of blue eyes. swimming in tears,
she could just make out.
But the child could tell nothing.
1t was plainly lost. Becky took
it in her arms and made inquiries
at the corner grocery, where she
bought slicy of ham; but no one
/ IL