Little Falls transcript., 1886-04-09
SAVED.

had set in and that her thin shawl was
becoming wet through. After awhile
she turned her steps toward the para
pet, and leaning over it's edge, gazed
down into the black depths beneath.
The next instant she stood erect
upon the parapet, shadowy figure
seen through the mistiness of ofthenight.
In another moment she would have
been huttering like wounded bird,
down to certain death, had not a
mans hand held her back from theta
tai act, as he exclaimed:
"Fo' Gods sake, lass, dinna dot"
For second the woman struggled in
his grasp, then, half defantly, half
wearily, she said, as he helped her de-
scend from the parapet: "Well, Isup-
pose you want me to go along to the
lock-up?'
''Na, ma, lass, I'd only like to see ye
among friends. Come, he added, lay
ing his hand kindly upon her arm,
you'll be wet through standing here. "
The woman gazed at the man with a
perplexed look, which he returned
with q friendly smile, noted her pale
face and the hunted, weary expression
OF her dark eyes as she said, almost
humbly:
II should thank you, perhaps, for
saving my lie, and yet it were better
if you had let me go. Not living
soul is there to mourn my loss, and
might have found rest"
"Na tha' way, lass; but We look ill
an ma fit to be out O. SIGH q night. II
ye dinna moind. perhaps l might be a
help to ye, a-seeing yer home"
"Home! [ have no home. l have
been sick unto death. This morning
only was discharged from the hos
pital, and such as l are best out OF the
world"
'"The Lord knows best VIVA is TO-
our good" reverently repeated the
man, then, with slight tinge OF color
mantling his honest face, he continued:
''H ye dinna moind trusting yerself
to me think can find ye place TO-
the night. Ye see, Pm just newly come
ira the country, on my way to
America, an there's & family as was
ON the train with ME that is bound 10
the same place, an is stopping at q
bit OF q lodging over yonder, an I'm
ma doubling but Mrs Bighart would
take ye in, fo' she has q most feeling
pt = IL 4~J+ ~
goin', as it's a goodlsh bit further'
For q second the woman hesitatcd,
then with livery well' she moved along
at the mans side. On leaving the buss
which they had taken at the opposite
side of the bridge they proceeded along
divers streets. At last the man turned
in at doorway, and with a Smile and
nod bade the woman follow him into
a. marrow passage lighted by flicker
ing oil-lamp. Then he paused, saying
in his kindly tones:
"Would yer mond biding bit here
till just sort O. prepares Mrs. Big
hart TO- yer comin'?" <signifying her
willingness, the woman remained
standing where he left her, little heed
ing or caring what was to become OF
her. AS she waited, a look OF dull
apathy upon her handsome face, the
door through which her rescuer had
disappeared opened. and a plump,
jolly-looking little woman burst INTO
the hallway, exclaiming:
"Oh, there you are! l didn't know
you for the minnit. The passage be
dark after the light inside. Yelook
tired; just come right along in. The
children have erything in nluss,
but, Lor' bless 'em, havn't it in me
to scold, along OF their being 30 cooped
up here, after the country"
"You are very kind" at last an
swered the young woman, a softened
expression gathering in her eyes.
Bidding her guest lay aside her wet
bonnet and shawl and seat herself
near the stove, worthy Mrs. Bighart
hustled about, bent upon preparing he
supper. The children, some five in
number, admonished by their mother,
and, perhaps, a little awed by the grave,
silent woman, ceased their play and
shyly eyed the stranger from u dis
tance. All at once there was q delight
full shout OF "Papa!" as large. jovial-
appearing man entered the room, and,
catching up the youngest toddIer, sat
her upon his shoulder. Then the man
who had befriended the young woman
came in and was Immediately hailed
by the children as "Jack" as they
clambered about him in high glee. As
il in dream, the outcast woman found
herself seated at the table of happy,
honest family, who treated her as an
honored guest, receiving her unques-
toned within their midst, simply be-
cause she was friendless and in need.
And that night, moved by strange
longing, she had timidly asked to be al
lowed to kiss the babe that cooed at
her from her mothers arms. And
kindly Mrs. Bighart, with q pleased
smile, had held out the little one to
her, saying: IN
''There, take her, my dear, and kiss
her as much as you please" Later in
the evening, when the little woman
had resumed the charge of her young
est and was bidding her guest good.
night, she calculated warmly. a's.
'Tnere now, my dear, just you
sleep well and Tomorrow we'll see if
there ism t q way out OF your difficult
ties" and with hearty goodnight
kiss. Mrs. Bighart hurried of to at
tend to her children wants, while the
young woman's facepaled and flushed
at the unwont oned caress from such
lips. ~. s
One by one the days OF that week
slipped by and the woman still re-
fmained with the Bigharts. It was the
day before the departure for America,
all business having been satisfactorily
transacted, when Mrs Bighart, laying
her hand kindly upon Mary 8 shoulder,
said: $z5. Il. Z. {. Il ... \ @S5S1
ss 'sDo you know, Mary, I've been
thinking that / don see how I'm to