The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1890-11-27
lit was a very brave act, salu the

| brave to live and hght as long as you
can-that's my idea"
Il can't; I've nothing to fight with. :"
said the girl. ''Oh if you knew"
Tell me- said John.
'.My father died. said the girl. MY
stepmother hated me. She married
again, and her second turned %e out
of the house. Pa had left her all his
money; | had nothing. / came to New
York and got sewing to do. One day
the woman that employed me asked
me if I'd make her wall-pocket for
her papers The kind | mean is made
out of old steels from cXtenders. You
knit worsted over them. you know"
John did not know, but he looked as
wise as possible.
Il was to make it as a favor, not
for pay" the girl went on" land at
home, evenings. l liked doing it; but
the steels were too long, | had to break
most of them and it gave me "A felon
on my thumb. | can't use it yet to
sew with. and | can't do anything but
sew. That woman knew how | got it.
but she never offered to help me at
all. She dismissed me and took an
other girl in my place. Then / couldn't
pay my board and they turned me out.
| went TO Il hospital. The doctor said
that my finger wasn't bad enough to
allow them to admit me; he said it
would be all right in month. Well,
l have not even anywhere to sleep to-
night | shall have to starye or beg
/ will not beg. Now you see that you
had better 90 away and let me finish
what | began"
That can't be done" said John.
Every one who knew John called
him queer. If acting differently from
other people under given circumstances
is being queer he certainly was.
AS he looked down upon this little
pale, pretty. and assuredly innocent
girl, and knew that if he went away
and left her she would assuredly jump
into the water, his heart softened to-
ward her as women's do to crying
babies. What dear little thing she
was, he thought. What a shame that
fate should have used her so. 1t
seemed his duty to take care of her.
oh, hang it, I'll get a job on Mon
day he said; land everybody tells
me that it is as easy for two to live as
one I'll do t.n
Then he turned to the girl and said:
circumstances alter cases. It's
queer kind of courtship. but | like you.
| guess you could like me if you tried.
Will YOU marry me? I'll get work on
Monday, I'm sure. Eve got half
dollar. Come to the minister with
me, and be married, and I'll take care
of you after this.
What the girl said was:
"Oh. my! Why. | never heard of
such thing. What would people
say?'
People will not know-it's our own
business. think You'll make good
wife, returned John. You need
taking care of the worst way. Think
about it."
He left her alone and walked up and
down. She looked at him-and John
was handsome. He looked at her, and
thought again that she was the sweet
est little thing he had ever seen. He
smiled. too. He went back and sat
down beside her.
Guess we'll 90 the minister" he
said.
We'll, you don't know the least
thing about me- she said; land can't
see how YOU can like me enough
Il don't either" he admitted. But
| do like Won better than | ever liked
any other girl
Il feel that way to YOU" she said.
And then they walked to the house
of an old minister. who was willing to
take his fee in thanks and give them
his blessing into the bargain.
And John and Annie were husband
and wife.
On Monday John Collins went forth
to search for work, rather more
anxiously than before, and l am sorry
to say he found none.
He remained away all day and re-
turned home in very low spirits.
Annie had prepared supper. She
had cooked two red herrings at Mrs.
Romey's fire, and set the candle-stand
with a cloth, on which she had placed
two wooden pie-plates and two tin
cups. The bread was sliced nicely,
and drawing of tea" had been made
in pitcher.
The room was tidy, the window
shown and Annie looked happy.
John began TO be cheerful again.
TO be sure | llaye not had luck to-
dav. but it will come tomorrow" he
said, as he sat down to supper.
Annie looked very pretty on the
other side Of the tiny table.
If only man could be sure of a
good living" John thought, he would
be much happier married than single" J"
After tea Annie cleared away the
thinks. and John went out on the stair
case with his pipe while she did so. He
believed that women disliked smoke,
but knew that Annie would never ad-
nit the fact.
As he sat there. wondering where he
should 20 to look for work next day, a
gentleman came stumblingup the dark
stairs.
Il am looking for Mr.. John
Collins he said.
That's my name" said John.
You are II married man, sir?" asked
the gentleman.
Yes. SIR" said John. 1--we been
married about two days, if that will
do"
..Ah-you are the right man; and
It's your wife | want, said the gentle
man.
Johns heart sunk.
.What do YOU want her for?" he
asked thinking only of misfortune.
To ask few questions, said the
gentleman.
I'VE have very small quarters" said
John; "but come in"
He pushed open the door of the tiny
room, but before he could speak.
Annie ran forward with outstretched
hands.
Mr.. Cumminsr' she cried.
Yes. Mr.. Cummings, Annie said
the gentleman. I've been looking
tor you for six months. | really be-
gan to believe you dead. when met an
old friend of mine a clergyman, and
happening to speak of my fruitless
mission. he told me that he had mar
ried q young lady of your name on
Saturday night. Farewell is not a
common name. though Annie is, and
as the Rev. Mr.. Darrow had learned
your husbands place of residence,