Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1888-04-18

was obliged to work, as well as her
brother, for means on which to live.
"You had better take my arm. you
seem so feeble" Annie said, as they
left the store. And the strong young
girl gave her arm to the poor old man
as respectfully as if he had been a
governor.
This way" he said, as they reach
ed the pavement, and Annie turned
as he indicated.
"Is it fart Had we better take the
car ?" asked Annie.
"No; l walk, always walk. Save
what little is left for the children"
said the little old fellow, and they
moved on.
Annie only meant to go a little
way, and get him safely off the more
crowded thoroughfares, but the old
man leaned on her arm so feebly, and
his mind seemed to wander, for he
babbled about CROOKS, hills, and the
children" that she had not the heart
to leave him alone.
"I'll get him home if they dock me
half day." she said.
At length, before a shabby board
ing-house, the strange old man stop
ped.
"There, upstairs. Do you think !
can ever get there?" he said.
''Oh, yes. I'll help you,' said An
ME, cheerfully.
THANK you. You're good girl.
Are you one of my girls? No, l for
got, they're all dead" said the old
man, looking simply into her face.
mo, I'm not your girl" said An
ME. "But I've got an old father in
the country, and I'll do for you as l
hope some one will do for him, if he
ever needs it,"
THANK you. Yes, you're a good
girl. believe I'm sick to-day. The
landlady here is cross. Stay with me,
will you? My children are all dead
all dead. l was saving for them,
but they are all dead"
Thus he babbled on, but still kept
Annie ascending the stairs until they
were at the fifth story.
Here he took o key from his pocket
and opened the door, AS he did so, a
big, slatternly woman, evidently the
landlady, passed.
"Hullo, Mr.. Wilkins. Sick again ?!
she said, stopping, with her arms
a-kimbo.
Eyes, ma'am, he's sick, and I've
brought him home, for fear that he
would get run over" said Annie.
"Who are you? A relation of his p
asked the woman.
mo, | never saw him until thi:
morning." said Annie. 81 am one of
Strawbridge's girls"
"Well, l dunno who's to tend tc
him. l can't, with this stack o board
ers. He's going to be sick agin, see
but | can't be bothered with him,
said the slatternly lapdlady.
She went off down the stairs. An
ME stepped into the room, where the
old man had just laid himself down
on the bed.
"Can ! do anything for you ?" she
asked, pausing moment.
Gust drink, please, good girl,
said the old man.
Annie found the hydrant, and fill
ed dingy glass she spied on dingy
stand, but it was warm and brackish
and the old man sighed as he gave hel
back the glass.
"'TaiD't good, is it? You ought tc
have ice, she said.
"Ice, here. No, we get nothing
here. And it costs money, too" said
the old man.
And that he hasn't got, of course
| hate to leave the poor old soul, but
| must 60 back" said Annie She
took her own handkerchief, wet it
and laid it upon his burning brow.
II shall have to go now. You are
safe home, sir" she said
Home! who calls this home? II
is no home," said the old man. Yes
go, child. | have no claim on you
But you'll come once more, won'l
you? Nobody has shown me kind.
ness for so long. Please come once
more
Armies kind heart was touched
with pity. Eyes, poor old man, l will
come tomorrow and see you. But
don't even know your name. viii
you tell me what it is ?" she asked
Eyes, yes-Wilkins is my name
Here, child, on that table there's q
card--get it.
Annie found OH the dusty stand q
card with the name, "Simeon Wilkins
Engraver and Designer" printed up
on it.
That's me-" said the old man
but didn't learn the trade.
printed the cards, and then / though,