The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1890-02-19
OUT IN THE STREET.

OUT IN THE STREET.
1t was a wild night in November.
The wind rushed bowling through the
streets of the great city, banging loose
shutters and shaking signs in a most
reckless fashion.
Stella Ray, a poor little country
Walf, staggered along curling before
the blast, her slender frame shivering
with the cold.
The clock in neighborhing steeple
struck the hour of midnight as she left
the main thoroughfare and turned
about by a long brick building with
tall chimneys.
A dark archway afforded relief from
the biting blast, and as she stepped
within, a sense of giddiness overcame
her, and she sunk unconscious upon
the cold pavements.
When she opened her eyes she found
herself in the engine-room of the great
mill, seated in an armchair.
A man was supporting her head and
looking at her anxiously.
He was young gman-twenty-tive or
so, with pleasant, brown-bearded
face
He wore big shaggy overcoat, and
cap pulled down over his ears in a
most unbecoming fashion, but he had
pair of honest brown eyes, and Stella
took courage as she looked at him.
81 fear have made you a great deal
of trouble" she said deprecatingly.
He made gesture of dissent.
You are BETTER" he said, ssnow tell
me how you came on the streets so late
on so wild night"
81 had no where to 60" she said.
'.The woman with whom 1 lived, up
river in N, died fortnight ago.
Il came to the city and tried to get
work, but could not. Ny boarding
mistress turned me away because had
no more money.
Il have been everywhere to-day for
work. couldn't get nights shelter
without money to pay for it.
II was half-dead with cold and IA
tigue when you found me-"
While she was talking the man pro-
duced tempting looking sandwich
from a large tin pail and gave it to
her.
81 am sure you have told me the
truth" he said. You shall stay here
tonight am watchman here. In
the morning I will take you to my
boarding place. Perhaps 1 can find
work for YOU"
You are very good" returned Stel-
Ia, simply.
He fixed resting place for her upon
a pile of burlap in one corner, and
then went out of the room. leaving her
there alone.
1t was warm and clean there, and
Stella, utterly worn out, drifted into
slumber.
But she was awake when Jack Hay
den came for her in the gray morning,
and accompanied him trustingly.
Jack commended her to the mercies
of his landlady, Mrs. Pike, and after
eating his breakfast went off to bed.
What was his indignation on getting
ND at noontime, to find that Mrs. Pike
had turned Stella out!
81 couldn't keep her. Mr.. Hayden, "
she explained. 81 intend to keep a re-
spectable house. The engineer says
that she was there with you when he
arrived at the mill this morning; and
according to her own story she was
wandering about the streets when you
took her in."
Honest Jack Hayden stared at her in
speechless wrath for a few seconds.
Couldn't you see that she was just
,ln innocent little country girlp" he de,
m,anded. '.And you turned her into
the streets day like this?"-wavine
his hand toward the window against
which the snow was tiercely driving.
Glow long has she been gomez"
.tJust about one minute" returned
Mrs Pike, shortly.
lack whirled at this, and catching
his hat and overcoat from a nail in the
hall went out of the house like cy
clone.
Which wayP
He looked up and down the street
struggling into his overcoat.
One way led to the river.
He fancied he saw a slender figure
in the gray suit which she wore, NOV
inc slowly in that direction;' accord
ingly he tore away after it.
He overlook her just as she reache'
There was feverish flush on he
cheeks, and a wild look in her eyes.
She burst into tears at the sight Q
him. ,. -. ,ord, :;
his gre;,t paws, and tried to shield he
from the storm.
"Hold M bit, little girl" he said
after a moluent's rapid thought
don't see but you and L will have
get married"
Stella gave little gasp:
s.I know" he went on. 1t seems KIN
q, oueer and sudden; but l can't hay
Won starye or drown yourself: l,
y,oyar cat another blessed meal VIII
Mrs pike. and I've been thinking no
nice it would be to go to house-keepln
with a nice little woman to bake ~
bread and sew on my buttons. IN
often thought so; but then L don
I,,,o1, MANY women, and never SCENE
10 fool inclined to ask any one of the
7 do know. We sort O. need each OF
er-don't you see? Now L nus' o0
the mill at o'clock.
IF YOU come with me to the magl
trate's office We'll be married r1S
away; then I can take you 10 note
and send my trunk there ana to-mo
row we'll hunt up tenement ana
to housekeeping. What do you say
Il sav, YES" she faltered. land t
Lord help me to do my duty by you
Il guess He will, my dear, Sd
Jack, tucking her hand under
rough coat-sleeve. H..
II was so strange-so like drea
to Stella, even though they were m;
ried by stupid old justice ina stu
little office, and went house-huntl
together next day in the most pros'
fashion.
Soon they were settled in cozy
4tle tenement, where Stella astonlsh
Jack anew each day by some Ito hi