The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-04-21

PS4SR III the doorway the quaint and
grotesque figure OF an old wolnan-thin,
tall, and much bent A long cloak 81
some stuff that had lost all namable color
ana texture Mapped about her, and she
ciutched at the rents to hold it together.
her battered black bonnet bore wretched
ensign OF a veil that was slapped sharply
across her face by the brisk wind. She
nobbled TO the window in which the
bunch OF violets was displayed, and point.
ing ut them asked in thin treble, broken
py q hollow cough, "How much are
they?"
"oh,'" answered the impatient florist,
"a good deal-three dollars.n
WHAT" she exclaimed, $50 muchl,
Then, coughing frightiully the while, she
stood gazing at the flowers.
Come, you don't want ihem," tho man
reminded her, brisllly.
YES, do want en-" came tho answer.
as the cough racked her miserable frame
once more. "Oh, do want 'eml How
much Tor few-only so many-ten?" and
she spread out her claws OF fingers.
For temp? said the shopman. Give
Five centsl" she quaverod, and diyed
down in the folds OF her dress. Then,
apparently having reached pocket, she
LOOK out some pennies, turned her back,
looked at them carefully, muttered: "Fiye
live cents That's q great deal-oh, a
| great DEAL" she muttered once more. her
thin lips trembling. III can't-I can't"
Then she shufilod to the door again, and,
like an old bundle of rags, she was taken
up by the wind and driven from side TO
side on the walk as she tried to steer her
| uncertain steps.
.Kilbraith turned to speak to Miss Bryce,
who had been standing by his side. hut
she had sprung forward and snatched up
the whole great handful OF violets. Two
tears were chasing down her cheeks. and
she said, hurriedly thrus,ing the flowers
into his hands: "Go-.ollow her; give her
these. Find out where she lives. Tell
her I'll send her more-Tll send hereyery
thing. Oh, TO be so i'll, so old, so wretched,
so poorl Think OF III" The two tears fell,
AMI more gathered in the lovely ewes.
Find out where she lives-h name-
everything. Oh, won't you go?'
kilbraith, by process swifter than rea-
soning, knew that this emotion was partly
a vent for the feeling that she had been
suppressing with all her might, and hiding
behind mask OF Indifference the feeling
aroused by his story; but what the nature
OF that feeling might be he refused to name
even TO himself Still, school himself as
he would, he WAS only mortal man, and
there stood the woman he loved.
all tears and pleading. What II the plead.
lng was only 10 follow an old woman?
To follow that old woman bee lme the
dearest object in life. lie cluiched the
flowers, darted out, and guided By that
ensign OF a tattered veil, caught up with
the old creature and tapped her on the
shoulder. She stopped, looked up at him
with pair OF wonderfully bright ewes, and
now, seeing her face, she seemed mors
broken by deprivaiions than By wears.
Having looked IN, she drew back rs II in
terror; then yenturod one moro glance.
recolled again, Rugged her tatters closer
and hurried away.
Here" Kilbraith called out. kindly;
stop, won't you2 A lady has sent YOU
these violets." She paused, took them
eagerly, laid them in q sort OF rapture
against her face, grooming aud muttcring;
then, seeming overcome with fright again,
dropped them on the sidewalk. Exclaim.
Ing. I'm very poor can't pay for en-"
she hurried on as before.
''Oh, do siopl" cried Kilbraiih, out OF
patience, and ovcriaking her once more
Cant you understand She gives them
10 YOU"
"Givos ihcmY" She grabbed them
again eagerly.
ayes; and where do you live? DO YOU
need anything-any hclp2 A doctor for
that c0ugh-eh? And moncy-money Tor
a good cup OF tca-eh2"
As he spoke tie woman seemed 10 grow
only still more terrified, aud again letting
the flowers drop, she made desperate eli
forts TO get away very fast. She even tried
TO run, and stumbled aud swaycd along
with surprising swiiiness. tip one street
and down another she tottcrcd. looking
over her shoulder now and then, now and
then utiering mutiered protest, ut she
reached an old nrighDorhood whelo SOME
old.lishioncd decaying houses surround a
barren, neglected square. New York has
grown old enough TO have these neighbor.
hoods, formerly known rs ''gentecl," but
now In n state OF drcary paralysis that al.
most match some OF the old Loadon quar-.
terS The old creature by this time, for
very exhaustion, had 10 hold by the fence
ratings TO walk, and kilbraith in mercy
kept back little when she suddenly
turned In at the area gate OF an imposing
palatill. All the rusty, dusty shutters
we're closed, the front door fairly scaled
with piles Of dirt driven against IL from the
street, aud no one could believe the place
inhabited. Kilbraith heard the basement
door opened then closed and boltcd; 30
when she had passed in he advanced and
knocked briskly. The bolts were slowly
Withdrawn, and there appeared In n mar.
.,tp nf..utnv tho nasty utttxt t,u,f....,.t
face OF an old man with bullying coorlcss
eyes aud agrcasy coat.
"What do you wani?' he growled.
81 want 10 know who lives here" said
Kilbraith.
"what manner" inquired Kilbraith, in.
sinuitingly.
"Chubbuck."
"ohl Aud the old lady; what's her
manor"
whats that to your" replied the man.
Get out Of my area or Ill put you out"
Then he banged the door again, aud
boltod IL.
Kilbraith looked up aud down tho front
OF the mysterious house, aud muttcred:
by George! how queer It's like some.
thing out Of Dickens" Then he won't 20
tho corner, and asked policeman on duty
there who lived In the place
"Wcll, n queer old pnriy-thc owner,
gucss-name Of Chubbuck. Seldom comes
out"
who's the old woman that lives
there?'
said the policeman, Haven't the least
idea"
ff--TffAT DIN WoukN