Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1890-03-08
Of the Italian, whom they found belabor-


Ing, with stout stick, one of his wretch
ed little white slaves. He was taken to
the station, and on hearing the evidence
OF the officers, the magistrate committed
him for trial, and consigned his innocent
victims TO the care OF various charitable
institutions He advised Mr.. Miller to
take Carmen for that was her name, with
him, and leave instructions with LAWYER
to obtain the papers necessary for her
adoption.
~armcn, properly washed and clad
with her black hair cut close to her
.hapely head, was very different look
ing object to the little ragged waif of the
Gay before. As she sat IN the warm car
that was bearing her rapidly from the
scene of hey misery, her little heart was
too full for words; though she now and
then ralseo her dark ewes, full Of grateful
tears, 70 the faces Of her kind benefac-
tors
IN few days she had made friends
with every animal on the place; and
good food and milk, and warmth. had
begun t. fiji the hollow cheeks AID
clothe tn slender limbs with little of
tho charm Of childhood
She watched Mrs Miller, and hung
round her when at work, for opportuni-
ties to help her. She followed the far
mfer to the barn, led the chickens,
brought his pipe and slippers; in short,
the deed of charity had brought its own
reward. Never had parents a more
grateful child; she filled the old house
with sunshine
Three years passed away, and Garry,
as they preferred to call her, was a tall
girl Of eleven, when Mr.. Miller, through
the prevailing scarcity of help, found
himself obliged to hire some Italian la
borers who were seeking employment
from the farmers:
''Fathcr," " said Mrs Miller. 81 don't
like the looks of those mcn-I don't like
to have them around.
"Wcll, ma said the worthy farmer,
81 cant saw but what I'd a little ruther
hev' good American boys myself; but |
guess they'll be all right, as fur as hayin'
goes, n that's all we want of en-
Garry was used to take special lunch
to her father In the afternoon, and gen
orally sat by him while he ate it, and
then returned to the house. She, too,
was half afraid of her swarty, dark
browed countrymcn; she was as happy
as girl could be, but she had not forgot
ten the treatment received at the hands
of Beppo and Nina.
Returning from her crrand one day,
she was on her way to the village to
spend IA night with her dearest school
friend, when she slipped on the crossing
stones of little brook, and injured her
ankle; she thought 1t was sprined, and
bound it tightly with her handkerchief,
but it paineI her SO acutely that before
she had crossed the next field she was
bound to sit down on the grass beneath
the stone fence. For> few moments
she must have lost consciousness, and as
her senses returned she heard voices on
the other side of the wall. At first she
did not notice them, but gradually her
attention was claimed They were speak
| ing in Italian, and her heart sank cold
within her as she head villianous plot
unfolded-nothIng less than the murder
and robbery of her adopted father.
! 1t had become known in some way to
the Italians that he had received large
sum of money the day before, and he
had not taken it to the bank as yet, be-
ing anxious to get his hay under cover.
Their plans were laid with an accuracy
/ that left no doubt as TO their success, and
they intended. to execute them that very
'
cause Isaacs, the regular hired man had
been called home to distant village by
the death OF his mother. They would
poison the dogs (Major and Tiger and
entering ground floor window, stab the
farmer, and secure the plunder. agree
/ ing. if il were necessary, to also Kill "the
old woman and the girl.
Carmen sat pertitied with horror. Her
heart almost ceased to beat, with sicksn-
ING fear. What should she dos she dared
not stir, least they should see ter; and
the rustllng of every leaf seemed fraught
with danger, SO tensely were her nerve:
strung. 1t was four miles to the village.
whence she could get plenty OF assistance
aud il was mile and half 20 the near
,st house, but there, she knew. was only
q feeble old man. Would they never 60