The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1888-08-23
THE TIDE-LANDs.
Describing How Miss vanderpool
Game to Her Own.

~
Describing How Miss vanderpoo
Game to Her Own
Miss Vanderpool came down the stems Of
ner clearinghouse and stood looking abou,
ner with an expression of discomfort on hei
nigh-bred face. II was not very gentee
iodging-house, and it was not in yer,
genteel quarter. The paint was of In
patches, end one Of the faded green blinds
hung ON single hinge. The steps were
worn and the little front arca was used as q
depository for wood and coal. There were
pair OF dirty faces at the basement win.
aows, and outside of the door Sairy Ann,
tne Sorgon's eldest, watched her depart
with undisguised curiosity Possibly she
knew that Miss vanderpoops rent for her
single room, third story In the rear was a
week overdue. She might have been sta.
TONED there as a spy by the Gorgon, her
mother, TO see that no recereant lodger
contrived to slip OF, bag and baggage, with
out a formal parting. She need not give
herself any concern on Miss vanderpool's
account that lady reflected. Her piano, the
one article OF value among her possessions,
was much too cumbrous to carry, and 1t was
morigaged up TO its full value. Why was 1t
that people never exhibited any conscience
or honor about their music teachers bills,
as they did about their butchers and wash
erwomen'sl Whywas 1t that she, respected
and admired as the rich Miss Vanderpool,
could find no market for her accomplish
ments now that she must earn her daily
breadi Why did every one take advantage
OF her and cheat her, down to the pawn
broker who had lately taken tho last piece
OF 1ewelry saved from her financial wreckl
She was faint and hungry, and a gnawing
pain that was new TO her, reminded her that
she had lived on bread and water for six
weeks, and that she had been on short ra
lions for the last few days. Ifshe had been
Q soldier, now, she could have withstood it
right valorously, for there was martial blood
In her veins. But to suffer 1t for no heroic
reason, in nothing but the common way
The thought Inundated her, and she put it
aside.
She was walking down the street. lined
With low cottages, when she stopped before
one Of the poorest and meanest, where q
stunted lilac, just budding in the front1yard,
gave evidence of some little refinement on
the part Of the occupants. But it was not
this that attracted Miss Vanderpool's atten-
ton. Floating from the door-knob she be-
hold little piece of thin white crepe, tied
with narrow ribbon, the wan banner Of sor-
row. This was the cottage where the two |
little girls had looked out upon her, with |
laughing faces, every day as she passed by. |
Only yesterday they had flung her kisses |
from the window Now one was gone. The |
shock bore down upon her with all the sense |
OF personal loss.
She nr1ahad tho m 70 <,,,o,, Il ,,,a,+
steps. A woman opened tho door and led |
her TO darkened room. 1t was the custom
of the neighborhood to give free admission
TO visitors at such time. In the little white /
coffin lay the younger of the two children.
Beside 1t sat the father and mother the
woman sobbing quietly, the father with his
arm about her, and in his lap the remaining
child, who had cried herself to sleep in his
arms
II am so sorry;p said Miss Vanderpool,
gently; sis there any thing can dol'
The moment she spoke she regretted it.
The mother uncovered her face and looked
up pteously, then shrank from the strange
visitor.
''Nothing, nothing" she moaned, "unless
you could bring back my child"
There, there, Emily said tho man, pat
tinglher kindly; Don't take on SO. It's
harden all Of us. We've got to bear it
togethern
Miss vanderpools eyes were wet as she
out of the room and closed the
door Ahind her. 1t had been a mistake,
ler coming. They had plainly resented the
II only she could have done
something for them, could have given them
'ome testimony of her sympathy 10 lose
title life that was part Of your very own
must be hard, but doubly hard when poverty !
ind want are attendant upon sorrow The
Dom had been so bare. There was not o |
lower about the coffin. Miss vanderpool ,
lad been accustomed To see grief smothered |
n costliest offerings, and this little creature |
vas going to her last rest without so much Z
Is flower in her little hands-the tiny /
lands that had thrown kisses to her but |
She wished that she could get some ,
lowers for that dead baby. 1t was April, :
md there was none in the city gardens, Just /
recovering from the shock of severe q
Eastern winter. She had no money to buy
hem from florist. Up In the great house q
N the blum that had been her home there !
vas q conservatory, and in it there was q a
magnificent climbing rose that she had /
TAINTED herself, years gone by, and nurtured Z
nto vigorous growth. Out Of all the !
iches that she had lost, at this moment she a
Wished only for one of the large pointed /
nds, with its petals half unfolded, shut in /
little bower Of green leaves. But that a
vas out Of the question Not even for this q
acred purpose could she ask any favors 1
rom the people in the house on the hill. s
A little later and there would be plenty OF
rild flowers outside the town. The violets
ways came first. Nay; twas already the q
,st Of April, and with the soft wind blowing c
nd the clear sunshine OF the past two weeks q
he violets must be already out. She quick G
ned her steps at the thought. little /
rock ran through the town and cut mar q
ow channel down tho bluffs, on its way to .
ne sea. Near the foot OF the bluffs there {
ras q narrow bench of land stretching be- :
Teen the hills and the tide-iands, and there {
eside the brook she had gathered early 4
pring violets since childhood. II she b
mixed quickly she could easily get there b
nd back again before the night had closed S
own. 1
TO roach the place she had TO pass through
10 business portion of the town. Walking il
Witty along, looking 10 neither right nor a
r. she was surprised TO have some one ac- c
,st her: v
miss Vanderpoolr'
Il was John Ashton, whom she had not Il
'cn since tho day that she had found her 9
'thsr'p nama dishonored aud herself beg. II