Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1888-10-04
aHagOnCab
By FERGUS ". HUME
CHAPTER XVIII

SAL RAwLINs TELLS ALL SHE KNOWS
And, indeed, such was the case Sal Raw
lins had made her appearance at the eleventh
hour, TO the heartfelt thankfulness Of Calton,
who saw in her an angel from heaven, sent
to save the life Of an innocent man
Lawyer Calton and Kilsip went TO the
humble abode of Mrs Rawlins. familiarly
known as Mother Guttersnipe When they
entered the squalid, dingy passage that led to
Mother Guttersnipe's abode, they saw faint
light streaming down the stair As they
climbed up the shaky stair, they could hear
the rancorous voice Of the old bag pouring
forth alternate blessings and curses on her
prodigal offspring, and the low tones of q
girls voice in reply. On entering the room
Calton saw that the sick woman who had
been lying in the corner on the occasion Of
his last visit was gone. Mother Guttersnipe
was seated in front OF the deal table, with q
broken cup and her favorite bottle of spirits
before her. She was evidently going to have
a night of 1t, in order to celebrate Sails re-
turn, and had commenced early, so as TO lose
nd time. Sal herself was seated on a broken
chair, and leaned wearily against the wall
She stood up as Calton and the detective en-
tered, and they saw she was a tall, slender
woman of about 25, not bad looking. but
with pallid and haggard face She was
dressed in kind of tawdry blue dress. much
soiled and torn, and had an old tartan shawl
over her shoulders, which she drew tightly
across her breast as the strangers entered
Her grandmother, who looked more weird
and grotesquely horrible than ever. Saluted
Calton and the detective on their entrance
with shrill yell and volley Of choice
language
to the girl.
"This is the gentleman who wants to speak
to you," no said gently, making the girl sit
ON the chair again, for indeed she looked too
i'll to stand "Just tell him what you told
me-"
"'Bout the Queen sirF' said Sal. in low.
hoarse voice, fixing her wild eyes on Calton.
''If I'd only known as yo1 was a-wantin inc
I'd ave come afore."
"Where were your asked Calton, in n pity.
ing tone.
"Noo South Wales" answered the girl,
with shiver. 1.-THE cove as | went with t
Sydney left me--yes. left me to die Ikea dog
in the gutter"
"Blarst 'iml" croaked the old woman In a
sympathetic manner, as she took u drink
from the broken cup.
II looked up with Chinerman," went on
her granddaughter. wearily. IAN lived with
i'm for n bit-it's orful, amt itF' she said,
with dreaFy laugh, as she saw the disgust
on the lawyers face "But Chinermen amt
bad; they treat a pore girl a dashed sight
better nor a white cove does. They don't
beat the lfe out eff 'em with their fists. nor
drag 'em about the floor by the air"
"Cuss 'elnl" croaked Mother Guttersnipe,
drowsily, "f Il tear their earts ont"
~ think must have gone mad, must, "
said Sal, pushing her tangled hair off her
forehead; "for after left the Chner cove,
went on walkin' and walsin' right into the
bush, a-tryin' t., cool my ead, for it felt on
fire like. vert into river an got wet, an
then took my at and boots orf an lay down
on the grass; an then the rain coined on, an
walked to a 'ouse as was near, where they
looked me in Oh, sich kind people" she
sobbed, stretching out her hands, THAT
didn't badger me bout my soul, but gave me
good food to eat. gave 'em wrong name.
was so 'fraid of that Army a-findin' me.
Then got ill, an know'd nothin' for weeks.
They said was off my chump. An then !
came back ERE to see gram"
"Cuss ye," said the old. woman, but in such
a tender tone that it sounded like blessing
then, rather ashamed of the momentary emo
tion, she hastily wound up, ''Go to ELL"
"And did the people who took you in never
tell you anything about the murderW asked
Cation.
Sal shook her head.
"No; it were long way in the country,
and they never knowd auytbin', they didn't. u