The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1886-03-13

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Our young hero saw that the battle hsG
actually commenced, and he felt he nigh
as we'll speak bis mind ieaIleasly, II wa
useless 10 90 back now.
u was worse luck for me, he retorted
Indignantly, ~ might have been some,
thing besides 9 street ragpicker II hRt
never seen YOU"
This was too much for her, and she
made Q dive at him as II her purpose were
humiliation; but he eluded her grasp by
Q marvellous leap which took him com
pletely over table and put him out o.
her reach. So. instead Of grabbing him,
as she had intended, she clutched frRnt-
cally at the air, and the resistance Of this
was so slight ahs fell hsadlong upon the
pile Of old shoes,
This made her desperate, and she hiss
ed between her scattered teeth an impre-
cation that l forbeSr to give; but by way
Of making the most Of her defeated pur'
pose she grabbed one Of the big heavy
shoes at her feet and threw 1t RaVAgely al
his head.
He lodged the missile most skilliully
and made toward the door, thinking Ia
stop the battle by leaving instantly. But
now he was not so fortunate, for Mother
Grimmis, suspectihg his purpose, and be-
ing nearer the door, quickly took posi-.
ton between him and the only means Of
exit.
mo yer don'tW she shouted triumph
antly, I'm show yer who | am, yer mis-
cradle imp"
II don't want a row with YOU" he said
calmly,
an row yer to yer sorrow."
"Well you won't, for I'll not stay an
other day in such den,n
"Yer won't, won't yerW
mo, will not"
"Yer'll soon SEQ ter yer sorrow, for I've
got yer and I'll keep yer prisoner"
The word prisoner came out with . ter
Tibls emphasis, and made the boy positive
ly shudder, Her little eyes snapped fire,
and her wrinklsd vlsage looked dark and
threatening, like the great black clouds
before a furious tempest.
II don't belong TO you, and you have
no rightto keep me"
HG felt now more than ever that he was
OF different kin, and he asserted this
boldly.
"lve got yer in my clutches, and III
keep yer" said she, with tremendous
force, thruSting her hands from her in
demoniacal gesture that fairly terrified the
boy. lie had never seen anything In oil
his life so awful as was this womaps at.
tltude towards him.
She seemed possessed oil mad frenzy,
and the action Of her long bony fingers
sent chill through the lads frame, as
they worked sothreateninsly. The nervous
twilChing Of her mouth, the movement Of
her deep,sunken eyes, spltelul, even wick
ed as 1t was--and the ominous grating
together OF the few black stumps in her
mouth, alarmed him. He insEinctively
drew farther away. from her, that he might
DO the better prepared for whatever move
ment she should make, and said in reply
"Yes, you probably stole me from my
friends, or you never would have had Inc"
sd better never seen yer" said she.
"YOu don't deny 1t, them" replied the
boy, feeling he had gained q point.
II do deny it-Steel an imp like youH"
and she spst expresslvely upon the floor.
"How did you get me them" said he
following up the slight clue to the subject
30 dear to him.
"None or yer business"
at Is my business, and l have right to
know It."
Mother Grimmls held fast to the door,
fearing II she left 1t, he would In come way
dodge her and make his escape.
FNLn hoo ,nItnaA khtA aud S,,n1 ab.au,I
enough to try and hold her to this subject,
till she become Calmer. He feared II,
while 80 excited, she were to discover that
ho brought home no sack Of rags, serious
trouble would follow. And she mad grown
Quieter, when shO made the
dreaded discovery. Immediately firing up
again, however, she demanded TO know
where the pack was.
~ don't know. Il"
"Dou't know" interrupted she, angrlly.
"I.Sas going to explain" be replied.
oyer better-mighty quick, too"
"But you interrupted me-"
"Tell me, say, what you done with It,"
again interrupting him.
~ stopped to rest, and set 1t down be.
side me, and"
"a pretty LEI yer sold it to get money
for yeTsell, yer thief
II told you the truth, and am not q
thief, much as you have tried TO make me
one" replied the boy, with burning In
NI'll show yer whether It's a lie ornot,"
shouted the old bag and, grabbing Cud-
gel, she made desperate plunge towards
the deienssless lad.
"stop where you are" suddenly shouted
a heavy voice, and tall, strong man
sprang between Mother Grimmia and the
boy.
This voice terrified her, and she retreated
again TO the door,
"ThiS has gone far enough" shouted he,,
in a resolute, determined tone.
"What business is II TO you r" retorted
the old bag, fairly trembling with anger.
"I'll make II my business to protect him
from any further abuse from you. 1fId
known this sooner, he shouldn't have
stayed here a. long as he haa.h
Eyer robber, YOU" Kissed the old wo.
man.
But the tall man made no reply, and,
turning 10 the boy, be said:
"Ben, has this woman always abused
you like thisP"
Ren-,Well, so then that ID the name Of
this lad. an glad TO learn 90 much Of
him-about as much, l think, as he knows
Of himself.
Dut Bon was almost. paraly1ed with SUR
prise-so much 30 that he paused before
replying, and said to himself;
"Who Ia this arrange MANI He must
know me, for he calls me Ben. Have l
ever seen him before, and why does he
take such interest In me7" The above
wo publish as q specimen chapter Of Mr..
Munsey's new story, which, as II progress
es, develops q plot Of unusual strength. It
is Of the highest character, and will prove
q rare treat to all the loVers Of interesting
narrative. The continuation oil this story,
from whore itleaves of here, can be found
only In THE GOLDEN ARGoBY. Ask your
rewsdealer for No. 172 OF The GOLDEN
AReosY. 1.-The has sold his supply or
never kept It he can get 1t for you, or, II
you prefer, you can have II sent 10 you
direct from the publication Office, by send
ing Eve cents In postage Btampsto FRANK
A. MuNsEY, publisher, 81 Warren street,
New York, TIE GOLDEN ARdosY Is the