Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1886-08-12
OutSi(le the kAilDlitS.

| AIN you aSllanleu VI gouioell w w
found lettering in the streets at this
hour of the day? Go home now, Or III
take you to the lookup said a sturdy
guardian Of the peace to q thinly clad
girl lingering in the doorway of large
office building on La Sllle street.
IL wasn't doing any harm, sir. |
only wanted to get warm" she retort-
ed, crouching back into the doorway as
gust of wind whrled the snow into
! her face.
"Nice place to get warm! Come
along, Hll take you where it is warm
enough said he, laying his hand rough
VI Oh her arm,
With a frightened cry she jerke1 her
arm from his hold, and ran swiftly
away.
"Well, I'll be beat he mutters, and
opens the door from which he has driv
en- the glrl, and warns his hands over
the register.
The girl meanwhile continues to run,
occasionally looking back to see if she
IS pursued. In turning corner she
comes in forciDle contact with a bclat-
ell pedestrian. He looks at her in as
tonishment as she raises her eyes to his
face and murmurs al apology. lie is
evidently of benevolent turn Of mind
as he stops to inquire into the cause Of
her apparent fright.
II was only standing in a doorway,
sir, trying to get little away from
the wind, and they told me to leave.-
That is all, sir. v
"IIave you no home to 90 to-
"Yes, SIT, have Il home, Dut want
to earn some money before | 90 thcl e
tonight"
Il unlerstanl,' > he returns thought
fully. ut is really too bad, too bt1-
But come with me; perhaps | can help
you.'
They walk rapidly for about block
when he stops abruptly before il police
man tramping his rounds with much
yigor to keep his blood i'll circulation
in the frosty air.
II met this girl on La Sale street,
near Washington street. She seems TO
have no place to 80 to. You had bet
ter take her to the police station for
shelter. 1t is prty that she should
throw herself away in the streets; she
seems very young. Here is my card,
says the good Samaritan,
The policeman looks at the card, ac-
knowcdges the Introduction of the
good, great (in ayoirdupols) men with:
as long as such gentlemen as you live
sir, we will be able to dispense charity
TO good ettect,' and tuning his eyes to
where the girl had been standing, he
stares in amazament, and, muttering u
hasty apology to the gentlemen, starts
in pursuit.
AS | thought; professional beg
gar, murmurs the man of good lntc4
,ions, and lie swings himself Oh pass
ing car.
The policeman soon loses sight of the
girl, and to warm himself steps into a
brilliantly lighted saloon and lmblbes
freely of warming liquors, receiving
with becoming resignation the commits
, Grating comments of the customers OF
tina place at his unfortunate position in
: that cold weather.
Meanwhile the girl has continued
her course northwarl and crossed the
Wells street bridge. Exhausted she
fingers in the entrance to the North
western Railway depot. AS no one
seems to observe her She ventures into
the waitins-room and warns her blue,
cold fingers by the register.
A lady in rich attire views her dis
trustfully, and gathering up her par
: cells walks to another end Of the room.
The child watches her curiously with
her large, dark, sunken eyes, and de
= fant tear rolls down the thin sallow
/, checks. With swift, nervous move
} mcnt she wipes it away with handful
of her dark hair, which hangs in tam
cled masses over neck and shoulders
giving her strange uncanny appear
ance,
A small, silk purse lying on the
floor catches her eyes, and the Z leam OF
+, gold and silver within is temptmg.-
;, She picks it up, and walks to the lady
: who had evidently dropped it when she
l changed her seat at the time the little
, vagrant approached the register, She
looks up at the girls approach, and
seeing the purse in her hands, rises
hastily and snatchcs it from her.
my purse" she says shortly, but
" adds, as if somewhat a/lamed Of her