The Forrest City times., 1890-12-27

escape them yet; for even now the shrill whistles heard in manufacturing districts ut morn, nt noon, at night, cause mp to start with aluriii. 1na. be late! can not rid myself of the notion that they are signaling me, that the overseer will not bring a pair of ugly, vicious, black brows to- gether if am few seconds behind time.
 1 was poor enough those days; but hours blacker than these stole like dread spectres from the charnel house of time
 One day was discharged. I was late for the tenth time-'sfor the tenth and last time" tho overseer said. as he pushed the little wages due into my hand, For the tenth and last time, girl I've been toler- ant of your fine lady ways long enough-you are diseharged-- marchf'
 The twins comforted me that night as best they could Alter long fa- tiguing walk in vain search for worR it was sweet n. twilight to sit alone with my treasures and have their dear arms fold about my neck. was SO young too; 1t seemed as if had actually been child with them when our widowed mother lived. but when We saw the cold earth take her to it's bosom. l nged with my great grief. and noiF lrcar lifetime oi ex. perienee and sorrow lay between me and the brown,eyed children, who, at nine years of age, comprehended but vaguely their sisters grief and care.
 Two days tramping brought me only an empty pocket, empty larder and empty prospects,
 And then came Christmas eve--- Christmas eve. when all should be joy and gladness and radi- nnce and plentyl looked into the box Joe had fastened into what he called pantry there was half of n loaf there. some crackers. and bit oi cheese, We were not hungry now. but breakfast would clear the box of crust and crumbs, and after that what? All we had eaten for three days past had come from the united earnings oi Josie and Jo, who sold papers while l trnversed the long, cold city streets. And Christmas was to dawn upon us as it ever dnwns upon the poor--in it's own bright, 1 bitter moekery oi all gladnessl santa Claus finds it impossible to treat the 1 lahyrinthian alleys of Poverty Row, 1 and great lump rose in my throat 1 at the sight O. two poor little faded l stockings hung near the straw pile 1 that served us for bed in common. Oh. the sweet, simple faith of child ] hoodl Tears came veil to my sight. 1 and each great bitter drop was like a l bubble that reflects more heauteous 1 tsnts than ever were in earth or sky. 1 Whence came they2 In these salt | tears found the picture of my child 1 hoods home, where mother lived | among lis and trouble was unborn. | l saw her sweet face close to mine: l ! saw her hands reach out to me, and | then
 The dream angel must have visited | me. for awoke with start to find { the last red emher only tiny spark { upon the hearth. My dream com. i iorted me greatly, and with a queer ! feeling oi something goddlylresemhing | content, l, early as it was. slipped ! of my worn shoes and let down my hair for the night,
 Such hair had then--so long, SO [ lustrous. with the glint ot the suns ! own sheen amidst its heavy masses.
 Make me doll, sister" Josie | once had said; "and cover it's head { with n bit of your lovely hair" Right willingly would have sacrific- ! ed every tress oi it--a great thought , seized me; cried out like one daft. [ and bound up the heavy masses with 1 eager, trembling hands.
 "Sleep, little darling," 1 cried in { ecstatie whisper, ''sleep and dream of { a glorious Christmastide; for it shall ! come to you by the power of living goldF
 Out into the gloom otcold, deserted | streets-heyond thcm into the glare i of shop lit avenucs-jostled by ser wants of Sauta Claus--cxeited. dag { ed, happy in the thought ofmy sacri- { lice hurried upon my way.
 came at last to n halt before window behind whose one great crys- 1 tal pane Il waxon image of u fair inn 1 passible beauty turned and turned l upon some mysterious pivot, and | l laughed aloud as marked the color | of her hair--it could only be compar- ed to mine.
 Two rounds of her stately dance I l watched her make-then turned the ! knob of the door letting in to her peeuliafabode
 It was warm inside; sweet, pungent l odors filled the tropic airs of the loEg brilliant room--it seemed a bit of paradise with it's warmth and brightness and delicate perfumes of rare and nameless flowers.
 X woman of fashion stood before tke eonnter--how costly her hahili- ments. with the fur and the velvet and the nodtling plumesl Great rolls oi bills in her little red wallet were carelessly handled, and there was n gleam of silyery circles and golden disks.
 She turned and stood under the glare ot the electric lamp Our eyes met. and |, forgetful in my sweet elation Of any thing save peace on sarth-good will to men"--forgettipg the meanness of my attire-the dii- terence in our present station--the long months of our separation since the same school house roof sheltered our girlish forms, cried. Lucille