The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-10-15

their sleeves, and who have reached that pc
Rod in life when philosophy has convinced
them that, after all, life is only matter Of
gamblers chance. They had come to en-
terrain the superstitious notion that good
luck waits upon the man who does his suf-
fering fellow good turn.
There was not much rattling Of coin in
their pockets, There was a suspicious sound
OF keys and knives, but each produced some
thing and, with a lifting Of hats, they ten
dered their contributions.
They raised their hats because it was q
woman who had appealed to them, and by
her side stood child of four years-a brown
eyed girl with frock as white as snow, and
in her hands cluster of flowers that some
kind heart had placed there But the poor
woman's dress was very shabby, and she was
very pale. There were lines tight-drawn
about the mouth, and her blue-veined hands
were clutched closely, as though the effort to
solicit charity had required the extremity of
courage. Her eyes were the eyes of the
child. Therefore these men of the world
asked, in the affirmative tone that anticipates
the reply:
"Your husband Is doad?'
YES. | was compelled 10 ask assistance.
am stranger here. My child has been
crying. It is hungry. God bless youl"
Then she fatered. Her courage failed.
The tears fell. Her head dropped The eyes
Of the child wandered away to the gaudy
flags that decked circus tent upon the bluff
The men looked at each other, and then at the
snowwhite frook of the child, then at the
worn and frayed attire OF the mother, and
then into each others eyes again. They UNI
derstood. In the instant they had been told
a story of woman's pride and mothers
sacrifice. 1t was all as plain as day to them.
Tomorrow IL may be my child" thought
one. Tomorrow it may be my child"
thought the other Then, being men Of the
world, they swallowed the Jumps in their
throats and became business-like.
"Where do you come FROM"
The answer came at first reluctantly and
then confidently, as though the thought had
occurred that her questioners had in view OF
their Kindness some right TO know. She
had been born in Alabama, had removed 10
Mississippi, and being left frendlcss there
had come TO Memphis for employment She
had been knocking at doors. One had adj
mittcd her until she could find work. Then
she had continued her dreary quest. Hope
had almost died. She had grown to fear that
the presence OF herself and child might be
irksomo to the good people who had given
her shelter This was probably the appre-
honsion of supcrsensitiveness, but IL was
eloquent OF her desire 20 ''do for herself"
"Why, can't you find work?'
81 could II | did not have the child; but
people object to the child.n
That was the finishing touch Those men
Of the world then wanted TO fight society.
Why should il be so that this womans child
should be drag 10 herr Why should she
not rather be given precedence and prefer
encc2 Her experience, because OF the child,
had startled her. Reared in humble circum-
stances, among the 'pinerics" Of Alabama,
knowing nothing Of city life, believing that
because a city Is large employment is sure,
trusting that because she had a mothers
heart the world must have a mothers heart
too She was totally unprcparnd for this
terrible lesson. The blow had frightened
aud unnerycd her. Her duty to the child
alone had kept her from complete surrender.
She did not tell her questioners this. They
read II In her eyes and in her face. They
gave her advice and direction; then they
turned away. Looking back, the woman
was passing on, with a handkerchief pressed
to her eyes, the child was pointing TO tho
Hays.
Will she find REFUGEE
"'Tis a sad world, my masters"