Clarksville evening chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn) 1886-1890, 1888-11-05

I iAtttii , A.Cttfss u lCulc KcdEc0 sbtl ut}helu
by good women for those who. like me,
are homeless, and 10! 10 soul could have
been moro deso.ate than mine within its
walls. ate and drank and slept and
went my daily round, made moro
wretcled at the sight of my struggling
sisters who were not so well equipped
for tbs battle of life as /, and then fed
from the ''home'' into the Chicago
boarding house. / found one on Michi-
gan avenue, kept by Mrs. McGillicuddy.
aly home life was at least independent
BIrs. McGillicuddy's heart was honest
and kind, her little parlorS were
tidy, her table bore wholesome
fare. There WIS only her daughter
JOSIE who owned the piano, and Jack,
the MeGillicuddy son and heir, who
troubled or annoyed me, and from the
son and daughter and piano could al
ways retreat to my room. 1t was new to
me to take holiday, but one morning /
slept till long after the whistles had
ceased to blow. l could not have
reached my proof room even OF 8, 50 l
wandered ont Hazily into the June sun,
over the city and toward the North side.
reached the bridge at State street and
stepped upon it just as it swung to give
passage to parting, little steamer. There
was only one person ON the bridge,
gentleman. He stood quite near me as
we swung slowly out over the river. He
might have been thirty five or so. He
was broad shouldered and Jolly looking,
and little sunbrowned. He looked at
me earnestly, and L noticed that he had
keen, honest, hazel eyes. But, to my
amazement, he pronounced my name
and held out his hand. Il am Wallace
Adams" he explainedl;; lyon were a
schoolmate Of my sister Lia, ut West
field. met you there. I WAS sure
could not be mistaken"
THAT was ten years ago." Istanmerel,
feeling my years suddenly rising up be-
fore me.
You are not much changed Miss
IIunter-you are very paleand thin, lat
have always remembered you,'
The bridge swung slowly round ~
leasing us, but my new found friend Dill
not leave me. We walked slowly home.
talking of those we hal known, Of Lila
Adams, who was dead, of each other, and
Mr.. Adams told me he had just como
from Oregon. For the convention
perhaps l shall stay awhile after it, He
left me with permission to call that even
ing, and that began q new lifo>for NO.
He called, and we talked awhile, and
then, to my surprise, Wallace Adams
asked me to marry him.
Women who sit in high places in So
cicty will shudder at my holiness and
want of delicGcy, at Mr.. Adams vulgar
ity, Mt the disregard of all orthodox rules
Of courtship. But l looked back upon
five lost and unhappy years, forward to q
lifetime of blind cropping after money that
somehow slipped away from the hands
that won it from the world so hardly.
And there WAS hope and cheer for me iii,
looking into the mans hazel eyes. had.
neither father, mother nor friends, and,
though | had never known it, q home
would be SO dear to me. hesitated aTd'
half promised.
but l did not lose caution. I asked
for time, little longer acquaintance, n
little longer ut my post. 1 was like
slave that has grown to love the clanking
Of his Chains. If in few weeks more,
can feel that am doing right will be
your wife. p" y
That was our betrothal, for the half
promise was accepted. Mr. Adams took
iAy hands in his and looked at me with
pity III his hazel eyes, God grant you
may, Dora, and good night?'
went back to my work, but my hearts
Was not in it. l saw Mr.. Adams twice
each week, and now world opened be-
fore me. l had wanted to love him at
first, but soon my life grew into prayer
that he should really care for me. L
saw every day some evidence of his kindv.
ness. his wise friendship, but l tremGledl
Mt the thought that it might only la
Friendship, for life held SO much more,
Il was at this time the McGillicuddys
began to develop Il warm interest III me-.
Jack came to the 6 O'Clock dinner oGs
nirht with some exciting information. =
was invited to tako dinner at the Nc
Gillicudlys special table, and there lie
livulSed it.
Il was to the races, Miss Hunter, he
GAYS, land that Adams man bought a
pair of California horses.
made no reply. jack had forgotten
how many people ere wearing the name
of Adams. His news was nothing to me-.
.,IIo paid 500 for 'cm, Went on
Jack. Your Adams, Miss Hunter.
Don't you catch on?'
sic must I've rich. Hiss Dora" chimcd
in the mother. Il want you to give Josie
al introduction.
You must take me out. riding, lisped
Josie. with her blonde head or one side.
/ looked down at my plate in amaze
rlcat. Either Wallace Adams was better
situated than had known or he had
gone wildly to speculatinS IN race horses.
/ remembered Ida Adams at West1lefl,
a ward like myself. Herfather lad been
n clergyman. ''Not able to take care of
o wife, Dora" he had told me, land to
/ have n comfortable hoHac." l had thought
him able to mako bis way with other
men; to give me q neat home with o. few
comforts in it-a piano, books and one
or two good pictures.
Didn't you know it?'' broke eut my
landlady, glibly. 1Wilere did you get
acquainted with hfmY'
/ escaped frora the McGillicuddys and
away to my roopl ! had promised anew
to DO lis wife. or now l might be sup