Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-12-31
Miscellaneous.
nsRs ACCIDENT.

to her davis work. The air WAS white
with frost and everything she touched
: seemed turned to ice. She had burned
her last lump Of coal the night before
and, consequently, could not have any
fire. She went to the cupb0ard-nothins
there; she searched everywhere, and nm
J allv found a crust of bread. This she
tried to eat, in the vain hope that it would
allay the gnawing hunger.
Putting on her threadbare shawl and
descending the attic stairs, she started
stiff and breakfastless. to face the cold
She was employed at one OF the large
ldry good stores where, every Saturday
night. she was handed an envelope con
tanning lust g. so as remuneration for
her life OF toll and hardship.
Six months before her mother had died
Ethel had no money, and she had been
compelled to apply to the authorities FOR
a burial by the city, where she and the
woman from whom she rented were the
only mourners.
Mrs. Dare in her girlhood had been the
only daughter of very wealthy whole
sale merchant, and was Detted and spOlled
by her only brother, but she had. against
her fathers wishes, married worthless,
profigate fellow, and he had dlsowned
her. She soon became widow, and ap-
pealed to her father for assistance, which
was ignobly refused in the harsh and
cruel terms that ''she had made her bed.
now let her lie in it, She never wrote
again, but strove to work for her little
girl and herself and keep the wolf from
the door. On her death-bed she told her
daughter her whole sad story, and i'm
plored of her never to marry drunkard.
Ethel had, very unfortunately for one in
her station of life. inherited her mothers
great beauty, consisting OF large blue
eyes, golden curls and perfect features.
She had meanwhile reached the store,
and after an Unfortunately long day OF
dull monotony and dreary work prepared
to return to her miserable attic.
It was a cold bitter night in mid
winter; the streets of New York were one
sheet of snow and ice, and more than one
warmly clad person, as they turned the
corner and faced the wind, sleet and snow,
hurried along, grasping their wraps more
tightly about them, and cast one sympa
thetic thought for the poor unfortunates
who had no place to go, as scene OF
cheerful wife, warm supper and pleasant
Preside, passed before their gaze.
The people were hurrying or rather
sliding along. as it was an utter impossi-
bility to walk, for after one thought they
had a good foothold and could manage to
maintain their equilibrium, there would
be an ignominious fall of dignity, as with
an ejaculation of "Oh, my 70 they would
60 slipping down.
In front of one of the elegant houses on
9TH avenue, there was a place unusually
slippery, where at least dozen that night
had fallen. A little black-robed figure, in
which we recognize our friend Ethel. now
made her appearance, and in her haste
stepped right on the slippery spot, which
was followed, as many of her predeces-
sors had been, by painful fall. With a
low moan of pain she dragged herself to
the step, thinking she was only Jared and
would recover herself and then resume
her journey. A sudden twinge of pain
from her ankle caused her very lips to
turn white.
''Oh, my aDkle' Everything was
growing dark before her. She tried to
raise herself. causing another twinge
from her ankle, which made her tall back
-senseless. She had tainted.
A large, portly man, enveloped in a
huge overcoat. fur mittens, arctic rubbers.
in fact, everything equivalent to comfort.
stopped suddenly as he started to ascend
the sleeps. "My what is this ?'
He hastily gathered her up in his strong
arms, gave loud, ringing peal to the
door BELL which brought several servants
To tbn CT do nrrt, hn
hall, up the wide staircase and into his
wiies sitting room, and laid his burden
on the lounge.
His wife, like the good, dear, sensible
motherly woman she was, never stopped
to ask questions and give way to curiosity
Ga woman's failing), but proceeded to ad-
minister the needed restoratives.
Her efforts were soon rewarded by a
long. quivering sigh issuing from the lips
of the patient After quivering of the
eyelids the large blue eyes opened, look
ing wonderingly around at the grandeur
such as she had often dreamed of but
never seen. The man at her side had
been looking intently at her from the first,
evidently in a brown study from the kni
brow and thoughtful eye, but when she
opened her eyes he started up, exclaiming
How like my sister Ethel" Ethel at
tempted to raise herself, but she fell back
on the lounge with cry of anguish.
my poor child, what is it ?'
"My ankle think, is sprained.
After the pain had somewhat subsidized
she said:
Twill you be kind enough to tell me
how came herep" | remember fainting
while coming home from work"
Never mind now, my child" The doc.
tor, who had been sent for. now arrived
He was the typical rosy-faced, good-na
tured doctor. and soon had her ankle more
comfortable; taking his leave with the
Injunction ''that the utmost care must be
taken of her," and prophesying speedy
recovery, and that he 'would bring hel
around all right in couple of weeks
After the doctors exit "mine host" ex
planned to Ethels satisfaction how he hat
found her lying on the steps. He coult
not look at her without betraying thu
deepest signs of emotion.
.My child, have you any friends or rel
atives who will be anxious about you t,
whom might send word ?"
ALAS, have no friends | am only
poor orphan, with no one in the wide
wide world to care for me. Mamma die,
six months ago." and the sweet blue eye
filed with tears.
A deep shade of pity overspread tn
mans face. Tell me-" anxiously an,
breathlessly, "who was your mother
, what was her maiden name ?''