Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1886-04-14
Outside the Limits.

Net ouG OI tHiS, you iittic NdSduouu,
amt you ashamed of yourself TO be found
day? Go home now, or I'll take you to the
peace to thinly- clad girl lingering in the
doorway of large office-building on La
Sale street.
wanted to get warm" she retorted, crouch
whirled the snow into her face.
"Nice place to get warm Come along,
I'll take you where it is warm enough, :"
said he, laying his hand roughly on her
~.
With frightened cry she jerked her arm
from his hold, and ran swiftly away.
'Well, I'll be beat" he mutters, and
opens the door from which he has driven
the girl, and warns his hands over the
register.
The girl meanwhile continues to run,
occasionally looking back to see whether
she is pursued. In turning corner she
comes in forcible contact with belated
pedestrian. He looks at her in astonish-
ment as she raises her eyes to his face and
murmurs an apology. He is evidently of
a benevolent turn of mind, as he stops to
inquire into the cause of her apparent
fright.
Il was only standing III doorway, sir,
trying to get away little from the wind,
and they told me to leave. That is all,
sir''
"Have you no home to which to go p
eyes, sir, have home, but [ want to
earn some money before I 60 there to-
night.'
81 understand" he returns thoughtfully.
''It is really too bad. But come with me.
Perhaps I can help you"
They walk rapidly for about block,
when he pounccs abruptly before police
man, tramping his rounds with much vigor
to keep his blood in circulation in the frosty
air.
II met this girl on La Sale street, near
Washington street. She seems to have no
place to go. You had better take her to
the police station for shelter 1t is pity
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-
knowledges the introduction of the good,
great Gin avordupois) man with: Gas long
as such gentlemen as you live, sir, we will be
alb to dispense charity to good effect. :"
and turning his eyes to where the girl had
been standing, he stares in amazement,
and, muttering an apology to the gentle
man, starts in pursuit.
Gas | thought; a professional beggar,"
murmurs the man of good Intentions, as he
swings himself on passing car.
The policeman soon loses sight of the
girl, and to warm himself steps into a
brilliantly lighted saloon and imbibes free
ly of warming liquors, receiving with be-
coming resignation the commiserating COM
ments of the customers of the place at his
unfortunate position in that bitterly cold
weather.
Meanwhile the girl has continued her
course northward and crossed the Wells
street bridge. Exhausted, she fingers
in the enterance to the Northwestern
depot. AS no one seems to observe her
she ventures into the waiting-room and
warns her blue, cold fingers by the reg
lister.
A lady in rich attire views her distrust-
fully, and gathering up her parcels walks
to another part of the room. The child
watches her curiously with her large, dark,
sunken eyes and defiant tear rolls down
the thin, sallow cheeks. With a swift,
nervous movement she wipes it away with
handful of her dark hair, which hangs in
tangled masses over her back and shoulders,
giving her strange. uucanny appearance.
A small, silk purse lying on tile floor
catches her eyes, and the gleam of the
gold and silver within is tempting. She
picks it up, and walks to the lady, who
had evidently dropped it when she changed
her seat at the time the little vagrant came
near the register. She looks up at the
girls approach, and, seeing the purse in
her hands, arises hastily and snatches it
from her.
"My purse" she says, shortly, but
adds, as if somewhat ashamed of her
self: 'Thank you," and turns to a gentle
man approaching her and bids him smil-
ing good evening. The girl fingers in their
vicinity moment and timidly lays her
hand on that lady's arm. She turns i'm
patiently. and says with shiver OF dis
gust: go away, you wretched little beg
gar" One of the depot policemen hears
the remark and roughly orders the girl to
leave the premises.
She hurries away, and after running
some blocks turns down side street. She
looked at the sky now clear ard blue and
studded with innumerable stars. "fou are
cruel" she says, shaking her head re-
proachfully, and as she hears footsteps ad.
vancing, she turns abruptly and runs.
A young woman, walking just in front
Of the terrified child, makes misstep and