The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1888-02-03
The Factory Slave.
BY G. WALDO BROWNE.

factory walls threw lurid glaro over
the river, even to its farther bank; cast
ing weird. fantastic figures in tho gloom
Of the night. while the hum of the mill
wheels kept time with tho ccascless
symphony of the rushing waters.
Hardly had the October sun sunk be-
hind tho western hills when dull. lcadcn
clouds came trooping over the sky with
omnous threatcnings of rain.
Tho streets of M had q deserted
appearance; only an occasional carriage
being seen, and few pedestrians were
abroad.
Ono Of these last hurricdly crossing
the bridge which spans the river just
fellow the long row of hills lining its
left bank. suddenly paused iii his rapid
progress MS light form bounded out
of tho shadows into tho gaslight's
ghostly glare.
Coming and going like flash of sum
light in that night scene. the gentle
man caught tho CLEAN of fair girlish
face and long. golden hair; but the
countcnance bore wild. hunted look
and her dishevcled trcsscs streamcd in
tho wind.
With q low exclamation upon his lips
hc pcercd into tho gloom, hoping to
catch another sight of the fleeing one.
Nor did he look in vain, for moment
later she rcappcarcd. seen more plainly
this time in tho blaze of tho Fight from
the factory windows.
The girl had passed upon point of
rock which juttcd out into the stream.
Her hands were upliftcd and her pallitl
countenance bore q look of despair.
Her voice fell in supplicating tones
upon the night mir to DO drowned by
the sullen roar of tho rushing river,
and the busy factory wheels.
20. Father in heaven! forgive me if
this be wrong, but l am driven to it!
My burdens are more than can bear!
In the grave there is rcst.''
Tho words reached not tho ears of
tho watcher on tho bridge. but he had
read in that woe-bcgone countcnance q
swiftcr, more emphatic message.
Bounding to the end of the bridge,
he sprang down the cmbankmcn mt. re-
gardless of what the consequences
might be to himself. With a last will
look at the gloomy walls looming be-
! fore her. the girl lcaped from tho rock.
Not into the cold embrace of the water
however. the outstretchcd arms of he
who had sped to her rescue. caught
her in season to avert SO terrible q
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 MISUNDERSTANDING
over her.
The light fell upon his features, dis
closing q countenance of manly beauty.
Tho eyes were fixed upon her with an
earnest look as If their gaze alone
would bring her back to life.
"Where am ~" she faltered, unable
to comprehend this strange awakening.
"Safc." he answered, simply. care
you hurt?''
No. think not. But who are
you?"
"a friend. l came none too soon to
save you."
Save MOP" starting up wildly, her
hair falling about her shoulders in q
tangled mass of gold. Save met" she
repeated. 'Oh, remember now! Why
did you come? Leave me! l." strug-
ling TO break from him.
''Be calm" ho said, gently. "You
do not realize what you arc doing.
Would you take your life?"
"Lct me go! let mo 20! l do not want
10 live? she moancd, with frantic CT
forts to free herself.
Finding her cndeavors futile, how
ever. she finally became calmer.
you will go to your friends now, ~
lie said.
II have no fricnds!' was the sad re-
ply. Il am homeless. friendlcss and
alone in tho world. Oh, sir, I had
rather tlio than"
"Hush" ho interrupted. at 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 you
have given it calm second thought. -
His low tone was as soft as a moth
cr's might have been. 1t fell with
soothing effect upon the excited crea.
turc who turned her large, blue eyes
in which the teartlrops stood, upon lin
until they met his, when she started
aside in confusion.
"Wllo are you?" she faltercd.
"a stranger in these parts. Will you
not go home now? 1 fear you will catch
cold in tho chill night air. Besides it
is likely to rain at any moment" u
"Alas! l have nowhere 10 go" she
go!' 4
mo. no! not that. Please come yitl,
inc. and as wo walk along you car tell
me your story. for 1 am sulsf you
have reason in following yotr un-
S {Sr,snP's course What is y0rRg name'
ELLA Maybury. am only n factory
slave They told mo so tonight" she
added. bitterly. Z
care your parents livingP'
mo; they died while 1 was q small
child. was bound out TO farmer
and lis wife in the town of Devon.
cannot begin 10 tell You the abuse
have suffered at their hands. 1t seem.
ed more than l could bear. and at last.
through the influence of one whom
thought was my friend, Iran away and
came 10 tho city.
~ began to work in the mill, but ms
pay was SO small and I have been sick
SO much that have almost given III
many times. All last month l was III
and now that have become able 10 &c
back to work there has been a 'cu
down in my wages.
"Thc family with whom l have board
ell turned me into tho street tonight
calling mo "a factory slave II
"Oh. nm weak in body and sick j
heart. cannot fight the battle lon-
or. A grave in tho river is preferah
to this! If you had not come"
She paused in her sad recital, vic |
her gaze became fixed upon tile mill
Her rcscuer had listened to her Sky |
with deepest intepst, Her troublead
touched his very neart.
''Checr up" he said encouragirly,
''and believe you have found find
now who will assist fou all that u in
his power" d ]