The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-02-05

80 thickly that it was of color with the
broad stone seat, and she was huddled
down so closely in corner that had not
seen her. When she sat up ] saw that she had
child in her arms, and that she was
cripple and walked with crutch. She
was weak looking little woman OF middle
age, and she was shiyering so that her
teeth chatterod, and her face was gray and
pinched with cold. She was not angry
with me for disturbing her. Indeed, OBJ
serving that | was well dressed, she evil
IDENTIFY supposed that l was charitable
person out late seeking outcasts, and that
had aroused her on purpose, especially
as, not knowing what TO say, asked her
II she was lying there because she had no
means OF paying for shelter. Il am not in
need OF shelter, lady, she said, hushing
the cold little child that had begun to cry.
AT least il was not for that reason that |
was sitting here. / have come long dis
tance-all the way from Uxbridge-and
was so tired that could not get on any
further without rest. But will get on
now. Is il far from the old Kent road,
can you tell me? But il docs not matter;
know that am on the right road, and |
shall soon be there As she made ready
for q start she heard 2 o'clock strike out
from st. Paul's, and then she seemed in q
fright Il have been resting longer than
thought, she said, Il must have gone dead
off, without knowing it, and sat
here nearly three hours, and now
shall be too late to see her
tonight TO see who?' l asked. My
daughter she replied, wiping her eyes. Il
have had bad news of her, lady, and l
must find her. l must save her, il she is
not past saving. But / won't think Of
that. Bad she may be, but she will listen
10 her mother. Girls sometimes grow des-
perate, and don't care for anything, Just
because they think that they are past all
help and hope, and yet one cares for them.
No doubt, lady, you have found that with
them, II ! am not mistaken in what you
are. / have heard OF ladies in London
who are so good as to try and rescue poor,
fallen creatures who walk about at night
time. God send my poor girl may have
met with such a one MS you before this,
and is no longer doing wrongv did not
know what answer 10 make her. | asked
her IL she knew where her daughter was
10 be found, and she told me that the per-
son who had written concerning her was
at one time q neighbor, and Dved in a
street she named in the old Kent road. Il
shall seek my old friend first, she said,
and tomorrow we will 60 in search OF my
| Emily. She was always, when at home, n
quiet, respectable girl, and feel certain
that IL can see and talk to her can easily
win her over and take her back with us
10 the country. We used to work to-
gether after her father died, and
could do so again. and II we earned no
more than shilling day between us
nobody but our two selves would know
anything about the past, and we might be
happy again She had no money nj nll,
she told me. On receiving the dreadful
letter concerning her daughter she had
left her work and everything. and, think
ing OF nothing but that not an hour must
be lost in seeking her child, came away in
such hurry that she forgot all about hav-
ing no more than few halfpencc IN her
pocket But she had got on 80 far,
she said, hopefully, and, though il had
been a weary journey, being lame and
having the baby 10 carry, she could bear
up 10 the end. | thought at first OF
making believe 10 he what she had mis-.
taken me for, and 10 offer her money Ia
help her out Of my purc. But II was
such money! / could not give her that,
pretending II was good woman's gift.
had an old lucky sixpence with hole in
II, which my brother had given me when
left home 20 20 10 service, and which
had worn ever since round my neck
Without her knowing IL ! broke the
string and offered il 10 her 1T will he toe
late TO disturb your friend, | said, and
this will get you some shelter until later il
the morning She was shy OF taking It.
but | persuaded her, and with many
thanks she left me with her baby under
her cloak and hobblcd along with hei
crutch.
81 had not In the least altered my mind
about jumpingfro the bridge, but | stood
looking after her, and thinking OF my own
mother, when q cab came hurrying along
and instead OF continuing It's way IL stopped
ON a sudden when II reached me, aud .
man got hastily out. knew him ina mo
ment. lie did not live at the house IN
Pimlico where was lodging, but he wa,
frequently there, and seemed TO be the
master. lie was quite gentleman in ap
pcarance, well dressed, and with a dia
mond ring on his finger, but he did moi
have q gcntleman's manners or language
lie came to me looking savage and swear
ing. lie demanded 10 know why had
decamped from the house, and took m,
roughly by the arm TO force me into III,
cab. said ! would scream for the polio,
II he molested me, and told him that
would never return TO the house again
would sooner die. Then he began 20 swea
frightfully. lie said lac had been hunting
over half London for me, and that II wa
for him, and not me, to talk about callinl
for the police, since had not an article o
clothing on could call my own, and tina
In walking OF In them 1 was as much
thief rs II ] had brought away the mistress
Jewel case. The scalskin Jacket | wa
wearing, he said, had cost 10 giineas
and my watch was worth . morc
and II meant what / said, bcin
! 'penitent struck and would sooner al
than 10 90 back again, might die and b
; -, for all he cared, but he meant has
ing the jacket and the jewelry. lie wa
, calmer for time, and tried 10 conyinc
, me what fool | was, and promised II
would be reasonable and come back HON
| in the cab with him, he would speak
good word for me. But | would not listc
] 10 him, and then he got furious again an,
: tore the jacket from my shoulders, an
Z the watch-chain from my neck. l did nc
{ resist. | knew that they did not bclon
I 10 inc, but were only provided AZ wa
: the case with all the poor girls who live
1 in the house. ! LET him take the thing
, and took of the two rings ! was wearin
5 and gave them 10 him rs we'll. The cal
D man sat on his driving seat and saw Il nj
I aud took no notice. i would have III
Q silk dress of your back he exclaimed
8 cursing me, only there Is no time for
. without making q scene; but II won't TAX