The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-06-03
LITTLE MOLL,
Or the SheriH's Prize-A Touching Story by
Miss Frankie Folsom.

LITTLE MOLL,
Or the SheriF's Prize-A Touching Story by
Miss frankie Folsom.
Miss frankie Folsoms story entitled Little
Mol, which first saw the light in the publication
board the Noordand called the North Atlantic Spray,
having undergone such changes and editing as was
deemed proper by the energetic gentleman who was
the promoter OF the enterprise, is given below. He
states that many faults naturally characteristics of
prentice hand" have been amended and thak
perhaps in so doing some of Miss Folsom's bright
est fancies have been sacrhced.-New York Journal
Little Moll Perkins was a waf upon the
streets OF the great city of New York. She had
home, 1t was true, but that sacred spot, dear
to all hearts, had no charms for her. Into its
uninvlting precincts. rendered SO by the blight
ing hand of poverty, the demon of drink had
entered to add new sorrows to those which were
the natural birthright of the brght-eyed,
innocent little girl. Her father had imbibed
love OF strong drink, and though not an
habitual slave to the cup, he belonged to
that class Of tipplers known to temper
ance reformers as periodical drunkards"
For several weeks he was industrious and at
tentve to his duties as porter in leather estab-
lishment, and during this time happiness ard
comfort illuminated his home circle But in an
upguarded moment the demon alcohol would
seize upon his appetite, and then home, wife
and poor little Moll were forgotten. During his
sprees he became violent and abusive, and wife
and child suffered violence severe and brutal at
his hands. Mrs Perkins. gentle patient woman
that she was, bore her lot with philosophical res
ignation, overlooking for the time Obadiah's
faults and remembering only his virtues. But
Moli was different She had that wild, indie
pendent nature of the American girl that will
not rest calmly under hardships. She believed
in having continuous round of sunshine in life
without any of its clouds and shadows. So when
her home became unhappy through her fathers
actions she was wont to go forth into the street
to search for the happiness that was denied to
her innocent nature.
Day after day and night after night were
spent by the little girl in wandering about the
great city her only means of subsistence being
an occasional banana or apple which her deft fin-
gers sEatched from convenient fruit stands tend
ed by sleepy Italians and aged Irish women At
night, weary and footsore, she would drag her
aching little body into some alleyway or court,
and there, on the damp stones and f1oorways,.
find the rest that was not to be found at her
kome.
She was resting thus one stormy night in
friendly hallway where young reporter from
one of the great dailies who was investigating q
murder mystery, stumbled over her in the dark
ness The little girl uttered a cry of pain and
started to her feet with the exclamation:
"Drat you. you fat little fool Amt de world
big enough for you to walk without walkin,
on mea I've notion to hit you real hard, you
lummux!n
The reporter was indeed fat, rotund little
person-in fact, an enlarged edition of Puck. He
was tender and sympathetic in his nature, his
heart being at all times susceptible to the mis-
cries of the poor, and though, like many Of hia
class, he was not always supplied with cash to
relieve Distress he was never at a loss for scma
expedient to do so by his generous nature.
Poor little girl !" he murmured, patting her
gently on the head, "Im very sorry that hurt
YOU"
dat don't do me no good, you're bein' sorry
replied Moll, saucily.
'.What are you doing here atthis hour of the
night, little girli' asked the reporter.
''Im sleepin' here" replied Moll, "'cause
amt got nowhere else so CO."
"Poor child, poor child, pity you," muttere6
the reporter Then, as if sudden thought had
inspired him. he said: "Wait here a few min
utes until | return, and I'll find you real nice
place. with good, clean bed to sleep in"
Bully for your exclaimed Moll "Tll wait
Don't be long 'Fonzo. ia, tap after which she
sat down on the tenementhouse stairs and fell
into gentle doze
The reporter passed on through the hallway
into the court, and thence into the tenement
where the crime he WAS investigating was COM
mitted His errand having been concluded he
to the hallway and, rousing her up
took her by the hand and led her through tho
streets to "home for the protection of friend
less girls" with whose matron he was we'll &C
quainted.
You're daisy!" exclaimed Moll to the re-
porter. when the ARRANGEMENTS for her nights
lodging had been completed. ''Pm mashed on
you, and you bet I'll do you favor some day
Gall right returned the good hearted reporter,
and bidding the matron good night, he started
to return to the newspaper office where he was
employed.
On his way thither he stopped at a saloon
much frequented by criminals in the hope of
finding some clew to the murder which he was
Perkins" he heard one CT the jewellers ex-
claim, as he entered, .'lets spar the bartender
for drink! He'll produce reckon"
"Im wild yer, Gully" returned hoarse whis-
ky-cracked voice. "Giv him de brace and I'll
stick by YER saying which the individual
named Perkins, who was none else than Moll's
father on one of his periodicals." staggered up
to the bar and lunGed heavily against the re-
porter. Perkins, in his drunken condition, had
stepped rather heavily on reportorial corn, and
its owner impulsively let fly his right duke and
on Obadiah's eye and he fell prone on
the floor. Recovering his feet, another attack
was made by the drunken rufiau. but he was
however, anticipated by his assailant. who this
time felled him to the floor with his cane He
lay there for q few moments, smarting
with pain and threatening vengeance dire
and awful on his punisher. With the threats
ringing in his ears the reporter made his escape.
The punishment he had inflicted on Perkins had
a salutary effect on him. The bartender re-
fused to treat and, feeling that the world had
become too inhospitable for his tender nature,
Perkins staggered home in the hope that ha
could induce Mrs. p. to work the growler.n
A few days afterward he accidentally met the
reporter, and in a strange burst of confidence
him that he intended to have his
hearts ber-lud. The reporter paid no attention
to the threat. deeming it not worthy of serious
consideration. 1t was more significant than he
thought however, for some time after, when he
met Moll, she informed him that her father WAS
plotting his death, and that he was in daily
danger A little investigation proved her
words true. A wel-concocted plot had been
laid to kill him. and Perkins was its instigator.
That worthy was placed under police surveil-
lance and his plans thwarted
Shortly afterward the reporter concluded to
visit Buffalo to follow his profession in that city
Being quick witted shrewd, and a good judge Of
human nature and good things, he concluded to
enter politics, and soon rose to the position of
sheriff. During one of his visits to New York
on legal business he again met Moll. who had
had grown into a bright and intelligent young
woman. This time he was mashed, and, after q
short courtshp he married her. His advance
ment thereafter in life was rapid Positions Of
honor and trust were bestowed upon him in
rapid succession, and In each one of them he
"a al.