Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-11-29

time. She was neatly though poorly
dressed. The old soldier, hearing foot.
step. stretched his head to look around
the protection of his pillar. He rose to
| his feet as quickly as he could on recog'
nizing the lady.
| sBless the saints, she's come agen p
"Who is she? said the other man in
differently.
ashes angel of light to some of us
! poor devils. Many sixpence she has
dropped into me hand at this very corner
| and many koind word, worth more than
gold, she has spoke. None of us amt toe
shabby or too poor for her to take notice
Of"
The girl was quite near them now, and
advanced with look of bright happiness
upon her face.
Good morning, Tom. So you're at
work again. l have missed you on your
usual beat lately. Have you been ill?''
"An' faith, miss, it's the old wound in
me leg that's broke out again" Here he
shook himself as if impatient of human
weakness. ''But there's a kick left in the
old horse, and FL die in harness if can"
The girl sighed, and for moment her
eyes TeSleu OH tHS oiicut HSuiO ie"hiiiSs
against the pillar. "How brave you are,
Tom You know.I am poor too, and can
not help you. But have you no friends,
no children, who would take care of you
now you are growing old ?"
The man called Tom stroked his ragged
beard, and the twinkle died out Of his
eyes. 81 had little daughter wonst"-
he paused and looked at her as though
measuring her hight-"about your age it
might be now" longer pause, in which a
convulsive witch passed over his face.
Faith, she had pretty blue eyes like We,
too"
The girl spoke softly: "And is she
dead ?''
at may be. If she lives, may the blessed
Virgin protect her-me little darlintW
The gentleman with the boards drew his
cap over his eyes. His attitude implied
complete Indifference to what was going on
near him.
'This is the last time I may see you,
Tom. l came this way to-day, hoping to
find you, SO as to tell you l am going away
to another country very soon. Perhaps
you will miss me-" A wistful glance was
directed towards the worthless sot, the
broken-down soldier who had seen ''throu-
ble," and whom no man on Gods wide
earth regarded with friendly or compass
sionate looks.
bad news it is. Thin l shall never see
your sweet face agen?"
II shall not need to teach any more, or
to be governess." She paused, blushing a
little. Il am going to have a home of my
own-to be married"
"Ye'll bring power of happiness into
some mans home" The ready Irish wit
never failed.
81 hope 1 may" said the girl betwixt
smiles and tears. "And when | am far
away shall often think of you and
others'-here she glanced timidly towards
the stranger-"I could do so little for. You
know l have been so sorry for you all"
"But, for sure, we've done sight o kind
ness to me-"
The girls attention seemed somewhat at.
tracted towards the silent figure leaning
against the pillar, though the man gave nc
sign that he heard her words.
"This," she pointed to the other man, ri:
perhaps friend of yours, Tom? l have
noticed him here before"
Vic gave ON1AcuCt
of life. The gentleman in rags removed
his cap, and the wild March wind caught
the wisps of gray hair that hung dishev.
elled about his neck. He was sorry
spectacle.
1--WE are all friends in misfortune
madam. It is Dives who has none," he
said in answer to her speech to Kelly.
The girl turned eyes full of surprised
inquiry upon him.
"You-you do not speak like"-here
she hesitated -"You-must have beer
"a gintleman," interp6sed Tom.
With the faint flicker of smile the
gentleman replaced his cap.
81 have been," he said laconically.
No one liked to break the silence after
! that. 1t was vain to offer pity. The ca
| lamity of fallen fortunes and estate wa:
beyond all remedy new. Soon the lady
addressed Tom once more.
Il have no money to spare to-day
nothing at all to give you. have barely
enough to live on myself till-till 1 an
married" She hesitated a good deal, anc
and her eyes were cast down in pitifu
embarrassment. Her poor old protege:
would go uncontrolled by her little kind
nesses now and in the future. With g
sudden childlike impulse she detached {
| bunch of violets from her gown and hello
them out.
"These flowers are very sweet-perhaps
you don't care for yiolets, Tom, but. you
see, have nothing else"
1t was hardly the kind of gift TO be
welcomed by man of his class, but the
poetry of life was not quite dead in thi:
poor sinner. Tom even bent his shock
head moment over the hand extended
| to him.
THANK We, koindly, me pretty lady
and may thin blessed saints presarve "
WHEREVER ye may be. do not ever know
a name to ye."
"My name is Kate" she said simply.
"Sure and it was me mothers name
me child's name too"
"Now must be going. Some one will
be waiting for me-" The girl touched the
soiled and hardened hand with her owr
soft one.
"God bless We, Kate /" said the poor
sandwich man, with his eyes following hel
departing steps.
fGood-byr' said Kate softly, looking
over her shoulder and waving her hand a;
she retreated.
The sleet had now begun to fall-s
sharp shower, which was driven in gust:
under the colonnade. The older sandwich
man was at last constrained to retire from
the support of the pillar. He looked al
the soldier with curious gaze as he drew
near to him.
tgVo,,r mama ic Tbn,nac Ea1lx- - ha COZ
suddenly. An angry CLEAN passed over
the old soldiers face.
'Whist, man don't ye cry it so loud
"You are greatly changed. | should
not have known you if you had not named
your regiment"
Then the soldier turned with a fierce
oath on his superior. There are no su-
periors in sandwich life.
"Who, in the devils name, may We be?'
The wicked parchment face looked