Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1891-09-05

And snare your sofroWe on lonesome n1Snts,
when my heart remembers it's happy past.
-Lippsnootts Magazine.
THE LUCKY LOCKET.
Cherry Tanning, or Wild Cherry, -
she WAS famiIiarF called BY those who
knew her. was truly a child of mis-
fortune. But if beggar in rags can be
called pretty. this was the case with
herself She was about Is years OF
age when the events herein described
transpired. The poor girl had dis
tinct recollection of better home than
the one she now occupied-if. indeed,
her present place of residence could be
called home. For many years she
had been living with an uncle and aunt
The former was an old man and q
cripple, having entirely lost the use of
his lower limbs by that fearful malady.
infammatory rheumatism. He was
naturally kind-hearted, but bodily suf-
fering and mental anguish had rendered
him irritable and sometimes harsh.
His wife was woman of energy and
great patience, and never murmured at
the dispensations of Providence, and
for long time she had toiled in
cessantly for the support of the family,
assisted by Cherry. But death came.
Mr.. Norton, her husband, was taken
away, and from that moment the wife
sank rapidly herself, until she was no
longer able to toll. Cherry could &C.
complish but little, for she was deli
cate creature, and much of her time was
consumed in attending to her aunt.
Death appeared to be sitting near the
couch of the invalid, and starvation was
staring the young girl in the face.
Cherry was also timid creature, and
very easily discouraged. She would give
up in despair anything she might un-
dertake if the slightest opposition was
offered her. She never would listen to
the rude jests of her poverty-stricken
nelghbors, so she could find no COM
psnionship with them. She would fly
from their presence when possible to
do so, and hence she gained the title of
wild Cherry"
It was bitter winter afternoon, and
the attic where she dwelt was foodless
and ireless. The aunt lay shivering in
her bed, beneath the scanty covering,
while the poor girl sat in one corner
watching her, benumbed with the cold
herself Tears had gathered in her
eyes. She appeared to be thinking
deeply: and at length, rising, she ap-
preached the couch.
She bent over her aunt and whis-
pered:
Il am going out now, and, with
Heavens help, I will have some money
when return"
The lips of the invalid moved, but no
sound escaped them. This did not ap-
pear to strike Cherry as anything re-
markale. and taking her hat and draw
ing thin shawl around her, she left the
apartment. The wind seemed to cut
her to the very soul, Is she swiftly sped
along the sleety street.
Reaching some large square, she
paused and gazed up and down. She
appeared to be examining the faces o.
the psssers-by, as if endeavoring to read
there what hearts we're charitable and
what were closed to the appeals of suf
fering humanity. It was some time be-
fore she could bring her courage to aoi
upon the resolution she had formed; but
ct length she did so.
Timidly she extended her hand, and
upon the first application she received
three penny piece. An expression Of
delight passed over her face as she
glanced ct the money. If people were
% generous, it would be but . shorl
time before she would have sufficient
for her immediate necessities and shs
could return home.
Alas! poor Cherry knew little Of THU
world, and the bright anticipstions sha
momentarily INDUCED in could not b,
realized. Her hand was extended many
times, but hundreds and even thousand
passed her by unnoticed; and 90 for twt
hours she stood, shivering with cold. OK
pecting relief and receiving none.
Presently she was approached by ,
police officer. He caught her roughly
by the arm and exclaimed:
Move on, you little thief! If catcl
you hanging round here again, I'll loci
you up
Poor Cherry was absolutely stricken
dumb with terror. For an instant i
seemed ~ il abe was riveted 70 the spot
and then she fed down the street at {
rapid rata, not venturing to look bach
until abe had reached the stairs leading
MP to the wretched attic where she re
gided. Here che paused. and looked
k>>-ln- .~ou~l - - ahA hn6 tHooy