Democratic messenger., 1889-06-08
SHE PAID THE BILL.
A Girl Redeemed Her Promise TO the
Undertaken After Fifteen Years.

n otrt kedeeuted Her promise TO the
Undertaken After fifteen Years.
''No. ! haven't any news Of impor-
tance for you" said NJ. J. Cullen, the
undertaken, u reporter, but l can
tell you u mighty nice little story. the
truth Of which my books will verify.
Il is about the noble action Of little
girl who came to me about fifteen
years ago. She was then about l2
years Of age, and despite the fact that
her outward appearance suggested
parental negligence. she appeared TO
have a noble and honest heart Il was
about z o'clock Of a cold January even.
ing when she walked into my office
almost frozen and crying bitterly.
She asked TO see me. and when made
myself known she stopped crying and
told me u very pitiful story that would
soften the heart in the coolest Of per-
sons. She said she lived near my
stable; that her father was u drunk
ard and her mother was dead. She
and little brother Z years Of
age, Of whom she Thought the
world, were cared for by the neigh
bors when the father was on spree,
and, despite the fathers misconduct,
the little girl could not be induced 10
leave him. She kept the house and
prepared the meals. She bore her lot
philosophically and tried To be happy,
but her whole peace u mind was al
most wrecked when after about two
weeks sickness her little brother died.
He was her pet. and the two were
much attached to one another. She
again burst into tears. and between
heavy sobs she said that on account of
her fathers evil ways there was no
money in the house. and she did not
know how her little brother could be
buried. She had been told tllat'the
city would bury the remains. but
when she looked into the manner in
which such burial would le per-
formed-tliat tho collin would be a
plain pine box and that instead of O
hearse wagon would take him TO
potter's iicld-she became almost fran
tic and would not allow il. She then
pleaded with me Ia bury her brother.
She wanted him 10 have u white cof-
fin, II white hcarsc with white horses,
anu ~ IN tsthttt w itNttEY
cemetery. Crying bitterly. she said:
i will give you my word of honor to
pay you as soon us get the money"
was much touched by the story, and
went 10 the home of the child and
there learned the truth Of her state
mcnt. The dead hoy was laid on the
bed. which was neatly made up by the
little girl. Immediately tool; charge
Of the funeral. and complied with tho
every wish of the child. never ex-
pcctcd pay. and although thought Of
the story for some time after never
expected To see the child again. Not
long since, while seated in my Office,
a handsome and well dressed young
lady entered, and. addrcssin. me by
name, called me aside. She asked me
If remembered her and | was COM
PEELED To acknowledge my Ignorance.
Imagine my surprise when ...,c told
me of the little ragged child ,r fifteen
years ago. 4 am that little gil. she
said. and | have come. according 10
promise, on my word Of honor. to ray
you the bill looked over the books
and found the account and she pai, it,
She has married well and her hiis.
band is n prominent aud prosperous
business man. "-St. Louis Glohc. Dem.
ocrat.