The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1886-07-22
She Found Her Mamma.

Sne fOunu NtT luuuiuths
The north-bound train had left Aus
tin, Tex, and Conductor Hughes was
making his usual round collecting
tickets. He stopped in front OF little
girl who was crouched in corner near
the stove. Notwithstanding that cold
Northwestern was blowing, she was thin
ly clad in torn calico dress, and her
feet were destitute of shoes and stock
ings.
AS she appeared to be alone, the con-
ductor asked:
Have you got ticket, little girl?"
What is that 2"
didn't whoever but you on the cars
give you ticket?"
Nobody put us on the car. We
came all by ourselves, didn't We, dolly"
she said, hugging dilapidated doll.
Didn't your papa put you on the
cars? ?"
"No; we didn't tell him we were
coming, did we, dolly?"
The conductor took the little girls
hand in his. 1t was burning hot. Her
thin features were flushed, and her eyes
were glistening with fever.
our clOIueS are llll. DOH NOu
! feel cold sometimes !"
yes, we feel so cold, but we hug up
close together, don't we, dolly? When
find mamma she'll give us some new
clothes and some shoes"
"Where is your mammal"
81 don't know, but I'll find her. She
told me to come to her. She came into
my room last night and put her hands
on me and kissed me-just as she used
to before she went to sleep in long
box and went off on the railroad.
The conductor was puzzled. Had
the fever affected the child's head?
Il think you are lost, little girl.
What is your name?"
"My name is Fanny, but mamma
used to call me little pet
I'll send you back to your papa.
You have got papa, haven't you, in
! Austin ?"
A look of terror was frozen on the
little pinched features. Two thin arms
were thrown around the conductor 5
neck.
please don't send me back to pa,
she said in piteous accents. "My new
mamma will whip me and lock me in
the dark closet. Oh, please don't send
me back I'll be so good. I'll give
you dolly. No; can't give you dolly.
Mamma gave me dolly, but I'll let you
play with her. Please. let me stay
with you till l find mamma"
"This is bad case of stepmother,
said the conductor to himself "Thls
is some poor, neglected little creature.
I've a notion to take her home and
leave her with my kids. One more
won't make much difference"
"Pll not send you home. Just lie
down here, he said, fixing her up a
place to lie on one of the seats.
The little waif was contented and
happy. She laid down and the con-
ductor covered her up with his over
coat. Once or twice, as he passed by,
he heard the little deadhead passenger
talking to her dolly about what they
would do when they found mamma.
At Taylor the north bound and south
bound trains met, and the passengers
got supper. AS soon as Conductor
Hughes stepped on the platform the
operator called to him:
Here, Bill, here is a telegram for
you"
He opened the envelope and read
"Put runaway child in charge of con-
ductor of south-bound train for Aus
tin.
Poor little creature" he muttered,
"she has hard time of it in this world,
but I'll wake her up and give her some
supper before l send her home to her
folks"
He turned back into the car and
threw back the overcoat from the sleep
ing child. She was hugging her dol Y
to her breast There were tears on
her pale, thin checks, but a happy
smile on her little pinched features
Little pet" had found her mamma.
-Ale,r. SlCeet, IN NelC York Mercury.