St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-02-22
ONE WAY TO LIVE.

He had for some months in succession
come home with 81 or sail that was
left of a months earnings after paving
his necessary liquor and tobacco bills.
Yet he expected her to pay rent, furnish
the table. provide food, clothing and
Highland all from the proceeds of one
or two uncertain 'boarders."
The milkman must De paid, the gro
Gerry bill was large--fOr people must eat
coal was expensive, wood was dear and
rents were high.
She planned, saved and sacrificed UNI
til few months expenses were met,
but she felt that the end must come ana
that soon. In vain she eXpostulated-
entreated him to assist her in the great
struggle for existence. He needed not,
and finally, with feelings of injured in
nocence, left her to bear unaided and
alone the already too heavy burden.
Some time passed. The 'boarders"
stayed away. leaving partially settled
accounts. Her strength was rapidly
giving way under the great mental
pressure.
One day. in faded calico dress, thin
shawl and scarf, she wandered down the
back streets and out of the city. The
cold, frosty air of a February afternoon
might have given fresh hope and vigor
to body In possession OF a healthy
mind. but it brought light to her. She
passed on through unfamiliar streets
until she reached farm house near tn
outskirts OF the city. In dazed sort of
way she passed through the gate into
the farm yard. There she was accosted
by the farmers jOvial GOOD evening,
on his arm. She made no response, and
he then asked her if she lived near by.
Mo- she vaguely answered, II think
I'll go home this other way and she
started down the road which led off into
the deSOlate country. AS she passed the
house the children heard her talking in
strange, broken sentences, and were
told in reply to their anxious inquiries.
that "she is probably wandering"
Some hours later, as the cold northeast
wind swept down over the country, aud
people felt fortunate to be able to re-
main about a cheerful fire on that cheer
less night, a cold, half-frozen, hungry,
haggard, wild woman retraced her steps
for many weary miles back tn the city.
to be barely saved from death by the
police.
Very few people knew her. No one
cared. The grocer and milkman said:
''Poor thing, | thought she was poor
sane, and no one felt one pang of grief
as she was carried out from the city a
hopeless wreck.
There are two great living worlds
In this small city of ours.
One or the hard and crushing blows, ~
One of the music and flowers. 8
Oneis bending falling low
Under sick ming. hopeless care, -
rba 9TH DC Io1i lt- draa
In soft, luxuriant chair s3H
One rents comfortable pew
In church of high degree.
Gives its mite to suffering poor'
And feels its conscience free. ~
But seeing q hungry beggar
1t pulls its robe aside
To even gaze at misery
Hurts its honest pride.
The other world ne'er listens
TO preachers eloquent words.
The sermons of its daily toll
Are all its life affords.
This struggling world receives
An occasional aims or two,
And perhaps a passing thought
From the world of crimson pew.
But in the elegant homo
Ii never Is seen guest:
On silk or plush its weary limbs
Are never asked to rest
If on the way the two great wor Ids
Should ever chance 10 meet,
No gras p of hand or smile
Does one the other greet.
They do not know each other
And do not stop 10 ask