The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1885-07-03
Tho Robin and the Chicken.
A FRIEND AT LAST.

n bhutShOa SottdSCs WIN
uncared-for poverty-stricken look, the
garden running wild, unkept, while
the low fence around it was broken
everywhere, also the tiny diamond
paned windows.
In the bare, dirty kitchen stood a
tall bony woman, deity cutting huge
slices of bread-and-butter for two hum
gry-looking children.
A distinct murmuring of voices, one
raised in earnest coaxing, came through
an open door, leading to an inner
chamber, which presently grew to loud
shrill reproducing, then q shrek, fol-
lowed by tho sudden entrance of a lit
tie girl, whose golden hair fell in wild
disorder over her shoulders, tears
streaming down her pale pinched
cheeks, while her lips quivered piteous-
ly.
II cannot dress Maggie-indeed l
cannot, she is so tiresome! Just look
what she has done!' pushing back the
thick tangled locks, and disclosing a
vivid mark on her brow, from which
the blood was slowly oozing.
"What do you meanp Don't talk
nonsense. l don't even believe the
child touched you," the woman an
swered harshly, giving the trembling
child rough blow.
"She did do it, with her hard shoe,
and will not go near her anymorem
Elsie cried quickly, an angry flush ris-
ing to her pallid cheeks.
"But you must, or else 60 without
your breakfast"
Elsie glanced longingly at the dry
pile of bread, then her gaze wandered
to fat chubby child, who stood half
dressed in the doorway, holding tightly
clutched in her hand a heavy nailed
boot.
"Then l will 60 without breakfast
sooner than dress her." firmly.
"As you like; but you had best DO off
now with the geese, unless you want a
good whipping for your obstinacy."
A look of terror oyerspread Elsie's
face, and her eyes grew wild with fear.
mo, no, mother; do not send me
again with those terrible creaturesp
You know how they bit me last time"
she pleaded.
Aharsh laugh broke from the wo-
mans lips.
II see you are waiting for Mark to
return. You know what you will get
them"
81 don't care; cannot 60 with the
geese, they brighten me so" Elsie said
sullenly.
At that moment tall, stronghold
ing youth, clad in O shepherds smock,
entered the kitchen, followed by thin
mournful dog.
He gave hasty glance around-at
his mothers angry face, then to the
small quivering child.
what is itP What is the matterp"
he demanded roughly.
"Only Elsie refuses to drive the
geese into the fields, as usual. Perhaps
you can make her listen to reason"
Mark frowned, and grasped the little
girls slender arm in a harsh grip.
care you going, or notP' he Kissed
slowly, peering threateningly into her
startled eyes.
Elsie shuddered, and WINGED beneath
the pain caused by his vicious grasp.
NO" steadily.
Selling IA stick, Mark brought it
down with heavy force on the child's
bare shoulders, raising vivid marks on
the white skin, bringing sharp cries
from her closed lips.
She bore the torture for some time,
then unable longer to fight against the
anguish, Elsie wrcnchcd herself sud-
denly free.
~ will go--only let me alone, and /
will do whatever you like! she Sob
bed.
A smile of cruel triumph lighted up
the young mans face; and clutching
his poor little victim again, he dragged
her into the narrow garden, where a
flock Of huge geese were marching Sc
dately about.
Thrusting long crook into her
hand, Mark pushed her through the
broken gate, driving the geese before.
eff YOU are late, or return with one
goose missing, you may expect repe-
titiOn of this morning, besides no sup
per-" he promised.
In silence Elsie continued her way,
following her unruly charges over the
green meadows, scarcely needing the
direction they were taking, until, ar
irving at the entrance of dense wood,
she paused and glanced fearfully
around.
Her feathered flock were quietly
searching among the grass for food,
some sailing smoothly over a small
lake near ut hand.
With fixed look of determination
on her childish face, Elsie ran swiftly
into the wood, leaving her surprised
birds behind to roam about as they
would.
On, on she went, until deep flow
ing stream, winding through the banks
of green moss and fragrant flowers ar
rested her flight.
Almost instinctively she stopped and
gazed wistfully into the silvery water
flowing so smoothly along. A sigh
broke from her parted lips, and her
eyes wandered from the stream to the
azure sky, seen but indistinctly through
the thick screen and green leaves.
The mournful look on her face deep
ened; moving forward she picked up
several heavy stones lying near, and
fastening her ragged dress into loose
sack placed the stones within.
They will keep me from rising-no
one will know. People will only think
me lost" she murmured, and stepping
to the waters edge, prepared 10 leap,
but ere she could take that fatal plunge
a strong hand was laid on her shoulder,
q soft, kind voice said:
"My child, do you know what you
are doingp"
With startled cry Elsie turned and
saw an old white-haired man, poorly
but clearly dressed, his furrowed face
wearing an expression of reproach
and pity.
Touched by that look, Elsie sudden
ly burst into tears, sobbing wildly.
al am so miserable life is so dark.
Please do not stay mel" she muttered.
"Who are you, little onep What is
your namep" the stranger asked eager
", peering curiously into the tear
stained face, with more than common
| interest.
81 am called Elsie, and l live with
Betty Lind. but she is not my real
mother. She is cruel, and beats me.
That is why want to die. i shall be
happy in this pretty calm water"
any child, do not talk of death! You
have many years yet of joyous life be-
fore you. Do you know who l amp"
mo" in some surprise at his emo