The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1885-04-23

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Becky took a step forward, an
other back. Then she began to cry
q little. Nick's ring that he put on
her hand so long ago-oh, dear, oh,
dear!
But she grew brave again, and
walked into the shop and pawned
the ring. It was not much they gave
her for it, but it would buy supper,
and perhaps Nick wouldn't notice,
and perhaps she could get it back.
That was a very faint perhaps, "
however.
A woman was in the pawnshop as
she waited, bargaining with the
proprietor over a suit OF little girl s
clothing-costly 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 3
little voice fell On her ear, and, look
ing down, she saw q barefoot child
of four, in wretched rags, s0bbing
piteously.
Becky was soft of heart; but in
poor quarters crying children were
common enough, and her own were
waiting for the loaves in her basket.
She walked on hastily, and 50 up
set the toddler. Then Becky must
need stop and pick her up.
why don'tyou 60 home to your
mother this night time" she said
''and not stand here to be knocked
DOWN.
A little silver. thread 'ot a voice
answered:
u can't find mamma. I can't
find my home. Where is mamma?
Oh, mammal
Becky knelt down. A little white
head Of crumpled curls and a pair
of blue eyes swimming in tears she
could just make out.
But the child could tell nothing
It was plainly lost. Becky took it
in her arms and made inquiries at
tho corner grocery where she bought
slice of ham; but ne enc knew the
child. 1t was growing late, too,
and Becky could not leave it to its
fate.
CPL take it home" said she, "and
to o-morrow find its folks"
SO, when the cobbler and his
children saw the door open at last,
there entered by it not only their
mother and a basket, but a baby
boy also.
A new baby came frequently to
this establishment, and the chill
dreu, in their juvenile view of such
matters, opined that they had "an-
other little sister,
"Its a poor lost child" said
Becky. 'Pm going to keep it to-
night. It's parents are poorer than
we are; you can see that by its bare
feet and only one little frock, poor
thing. Now hold her Nick, while l
cook supper. I didn't beg it, Nick,
so don't fret"
And then keeping her ring finger
out of sight. Becky fried the ham
and made gravy and cat the bread
and sent for two cents worth Of
milk and water and tried to be
cheerful.
The lost child cried, but Becky
fed it and coaxed it 10 talk; then
came a story of a "bu dess'' and a
'nassy" woman.
The youngest, who had chewed
the kid, acted as interpreter. Soon
it was discovered that soms woman
described as nasty" had taken
away the child's blue dress and
other garments, and had also beat
en- her,
Becky listened intentiy.
That dress was blue, Nick"
she cried. 81 knew it warn't hers
"a tipsy, ragged woman; and folks
that own them things don't come
to pawn. I"
Then she paused; the secret was
out. Nick's eyes had danced to her
wedding ring and back again to her
face.
ooh, Becky!' he cried now,
Becky, we didn't think"
Becky flushed scarlet.
Il didn't mean to TELL" she said;
"but now it's out; I'm married all
the same. thank God. 1t was at the
pawnshop [ saw the blue dress"
And she told them of the woman
whom she had watched and her sus-
piciops, "The child has been stole,
YOU see, Nick. It's n genteel child;
and if we can but find its name out,
we NAV save some Que trouble we've
never had. Think of one of ours
being gone all night, Nick"
The baby's name seemed to be
Minnie Smith, although IN. s."
might be anything else; and putting
the children all to bed, all in a row,
like the little orgies in the fairy
tales, save that they had no crowns
on. Nick and his wife started off to
the pawnbroIIer's shop. The man
looked at the garments. They
were marked NJ. S.
"Pm right then" said Becky.
oThev are the child's, and they
were stole. And if we could but
find its poor mother we'll saye more
than any but a mother can tell"
"But think of all the Smiths, "
said the pawnbroker. There's
thousands of en-"
"And thousands said Becky.
"But these men-the police-they
may know"
And out went Nick and Becky TO
question the guardians ofthe night,
until at last, despairing Of an an
swer, they we're turning homeward,
when a blaze of light from an open
door fell over them, and they saw
on the steps q weeping woman and
tall, handsome man.
"Hush! we will find her if she is
alive" said the man.
MY precioas child" cried the
woman.
Then Nick and Becky gave sort
of little cheer in unison.
cts them," said Becky; "them,
certain sure. Oh, mum, if your
name Is Smith and you've lost = lit