The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1888-01-26
The Factory Slave.
~ G. WALDO BROWNE.

factory walls threw lurid glarc over
The river, even to its farther bank; cast
ing we rd. fantastic figures in the gloom
of the night, while the hmm of the mill
wheels kept time with the ceaseless
symphony of the rushing waters.
Hardly had the October sun sunk be-
hind the western hills when dull. leaden
clouds came trooping over the sky with
ominous threatenings of rain.
The streets of NJ had a deserted
appearances; only an occasional carriage
being seen. and few pedestrians were
abroad.
One of these last hurriedly crossing
the bridge which spans the river just
below the long row of hills lining its
left bank, suddenly paused in his rapid
progress as light form bounded out
of the shadows into the gaslight's
ghostly glare.
Coming and going like flash of sum
light in that night scene. the gentle
man caught the CLEAN of fair girIish
face and long, golden hair; but the
countenance bore wild. hunted look
and her disheveled tresses streamed in
the wind.
With a low exclamation upon his lips
he peered into the gloom, hoping to
catch another sight of the fleeing one.
Nor did he look in vain, for moment
later she reappeared. seen more plainly
this time in the blaze of the light from
the factory windows.
The girl had passed upon point of
rock which jutted out into the stream.
Her hands were uplifted and her pallid
countenance bore look of despair.
Her voice fell in supplicating tones
upon the night air to be drowned by
the sullen roar of the rushing river.
and the busy factory wheels.
20, Father in heaven! forgive me If
this be wrong. but am driven to it!
My burdens are more than can bear!
In the grave there is rest"
The words reached not the ears of
the watcher on the bridge, but he had
read in that woe-begone countenance
sw fter, more emphatic message.
Bounding to the end of the bridge.
he sprang down the embankme mt. re-
gardless of what the consequences
might be to himself. With last wild
look at the gloomy walls looming be-
fore her. the girl leaped from the rock.
Not into the cold embrace of the water
however, the outstretched arms of he
who had sped to her rescue. caught
| her in season to avert SO terrible
fate.
The fall quite took away her breath,
and when she slowly opened her eyes
she found herself lying upon the ground
| with some one-a stranger-bending
over her.
The light fell upon his features, dis
closing countenance of manly beauty.
The eyes were fixed upon her with an
earnest look as if their gaze alone
would bring her back to life.
Where am Ip" she faltered, unable
to comprehend this strange awakening.
''Safe. he answered, simply. ':Are
you hurtp"
mo. I think not. But who are
youp'
"A friend. l came none too soon to
save YOU"
Save me?" starting up wildly. her
hair falling about her shoulders in a
tangled mass of gold. Save mel" she
repeated. '.Oh. remember now! Why
did you Gomez Leave me! l." strug-
ling to break from him.
BE calm" he said, gently. ''You
do not realize what you are doing.
Would you take your lifep"
rr~~f 1at rr<>1 Io 1ryo ,,f
to liver' she moancd, with frantic eff
forts to free herself.
Finding her endeavors futile, how
ever, she finally became calmer.
You will 60 to your friends now."
he said.
II have no friendsr' was the sad re-
ply. Il am homeless, friendless and
alone in the world. Oh, sir, 1 had
rather die than"
''Hush'' he interrupted. '.It is wrong
to talk thus. One so young and beau
| tiful cannot be an outcast. You have
met with some great disappointment.
You will think better of this when yon
have given it a calm second thought"
| His low tone was as soft as moth
er's might have been. 1t fell with
| soothing effect upon the excited crea-
ture who turned her large, blue eyes
in which the teardrops stood, upon him
until they met his, when she started
aside in confusion.
s.Who are your" she faltercd.
| "A stranger in these parts. VIII you
not.go home nowP fear you will catch
| cold in the chill night air. Besides 1t
! is kels to rain at any moment"
L 4 n~1s
sighed. 'You had better have let me
go!''
mo. mol not that Please come with
me, and as we walk along you can tell
me your story. for I am sure you
have reason in following your un-
fortunate course. What is your name,
pleased"
ELLA Mavbury. 1 am only a factory
slave They told me so tonightl' she
added, bitterly.
/ s.Are your parents livingr'
mo; they died while / was o small
child, Twas bound OUT 10 farmer
and h'a wife in the town of Devon.
cannot begin to toll you the abuse
have suffered at Their hands It seem
ed more than I could bear. and at last,
through the influence Of one whom
thought was my friend, Iran away and
came 70 the city.
II began to work ia the mill, but my
par was 90 small and have been sick
So much that have almost given uI
many timess All last month was III
and now that ! have become able to So