San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1889-08-14
LITTLE GOLDEN HAIR.
HOW THE SIGHT OF HIM STIRRED
THE HEART OF AN OUTCAST.
A Mothers Undesirable Feeling of Fear,
and Its Sequei-"Let Me Look Once In
His Face, Near, and smooth Only Once
the Sunshiny Hair"


1t was here in New Orleans during the car
nival The streets were filled not only with
our own people, who seem somehow or other
to put on new life at this period of the year
and to dwell outside of their own homes but
with the many strangers who had come from
far and near, some merely to see the sights,
and some to take them in while at the same
time enjoying the tempered breezes of the
south, so in contrast to their own fierce
winds And, as is always the case, here and
there were to be found some face and form
that told too plainly that no search for either
health or amusement had been the incentive
to bring them here, but that restless tramp
tramp, which forced them from place to
place; southwark during the winter and
towards higher ATTITUDES at other seasons.
THE MYSTERIOUS STRANGER
And so it happened that the little mother
who figures in this story had been out with
her children and was on her way home in the
cars when, without any outward motion
having attracted her attention, she became
aware las one will sometimes without being
able to explain why that she and her darl
ings were being unduly gazed at by some one
"a man seated on the opposite side of the
car, but somewhat further towards the door
Her eyes turned over again in that direction,
but no sign of disrespect on his part called
for interference. He was one who, as far as
could be judged from a rather rough and
seedy exterior, had known better days
There he sat, his gaze almost constant, but
free of any intended dicourtesy. 1t was un
pleasant though, and annoying i'll itself.
The man, it was evident, meant no harm
to her; could it be he meant harm to any of
her little ones? An uncomfortable feeling
stole over her, and few squares this side of
her residence she could bear it no longer, but
stopping the car she continued the rest Of
the way on foot.
Once within the precincts of her home a
calmness came to her, and she soon began to
smile at herself for being 80 easily worried
by such matter, and that, too, in a crowded
car In a half hour or so the whole affair
had become thing of the past, an incident
that would have lain forgotten in memory's
Storehouse, save for its startling reproduction
a few days later
Some one of the many professions was pass
ing up town, and the rattle of drum and blare
Of trumpet had 50. aroused the children to the
fact of the nearness of the pageantry that the
only way to quiet them was to take them to
see the show
There was nothing to mar their pleasure
till about half the column had passed, when
that. same INDISPENSABLE feeling of being
watched came over the mother. 1t was an
uncanny sensation that had with her sue
ceeded the hitherto enjoyment the pleasure
Of the day was gone.
More than once she was minded to take
her. little ones home, but each time she
thought Of the deprivation to them and how
foolish were really uer fears, and so it was
not till the last flower decked steamer had
gone by that she started homeward But
few steps only had been taken, when that I'LL
pleasant feeling grew more intense and she
heard a voice close by call to her: Lady
ladyW
Quick as a flash all the dignity of her wo-
manhood came to her, and she turned, well
able now to cope with whatever might be
her fate There near her stood the man
whose presence had worried her a few days
before in the car, and whose proximity for
the last half hour had been felt, if not seen.
But as on that first occasion, no sign of dis
courtesy was apparent no disrespect was in
tended Instead there was a something in
the mans face, softened, believed eye
hope and a despair in his expression that
touched some COnCordant chord in the moth.
e"'s heart and awOke a sympathy that must
have made itself apparent, for. seemingly
more at his ease, lie advanced step or two
and asked permission to say but a few words
Excuse me- lady" he went on, Il have
been once another man from what now you
see. have, or perhaps should say | had,
wife and one little boy up in Illinois Goo
bless themI, but bad habits got the better OF
me and my wife turned me from her That
little boy there is just as remember mine
the same blue eyes, the same miSchievous
smile, the same bright golden hair; and ever
since | met you in the cars the other day his
face has been present with me in my waking
hours and with me in my dreams want &c
ask one favor. don't, OIL don't refuse it; let
me look once in his face, near, near, and
smooth only once the sunshiny hair Don't
refuse me that
Something like a smothered sob choked
somewhat the last few words, and the man
fairly trembled as he stood.
''Why, certainly, you may do that" an
Swered the little woman with a naturally |
sweet voice softened by the pathoS Of the
scene, land only hope that this unexpected |
meeting with one who, you say, resembles |
your own little boy may arouse in you SC
great yearning for him and your home that |
you may find strength to go back a man. |
surely wish you that"
The little scene was quickly over, and the |
mother and children continued OH their way |
The man watched them for some little dis |
lance and then, with a slow step, disappeared |
down the street.-Selby in New Orleans PIC |
ayune