The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-04-06
A WIFE'S PRAYER.

HSDlS ana Well-ulltu purses, IullS d HalION,
wretched street called "Dirk's lane" but
"Scarecrow row" would be more appropri-
ate, for the cottages were falling to pieces,
the steps decaying, the rickety, broken
hinged blinds beating back and forth in the
gusty wind, the weather-beaten fences di-
lspidated, clapboards swinging. and the old
broken window-ranes stuffed with rags, old
hats, etc. Can this be an artery of the great
city, Yes the living tide flows freely here,
although only pale, sad countenances are
seen; faces furrowed and scantily clothed
forms gliding despairingly through the
streets. Children looked pinched and spec
trail; their thinly clothed arms and bare
hands purple with the cold as they hurry
along, as fast as numb feet will allow, to
their wretched dwellings.
As we enter one of the crazy tenements
we find that the snow has been before US,
and an involuntary chill shakes us as we
see the light of cold whiteness which has
been sifted through the cracks of the door.
4 fire burns feebly in an old grate-so
feebly that all but stony hearts must sigh
for the human woe there enshrined-and
upon the neatly swept hearth three children
sit talking. The lamplight. hickering TO its
wane. reveals by its sickiy fame the mother
kneeling beside an old broken cradle in
which a sick child of 4 years lays slum-
bering. The little hands held one of hers
in tight clasp, and, unwilling to disturb
the child, she left her hair just as it had
fallen from its fastenings-all about her
shoulders-a halo of beauty. She was fear
iul that the night of death was gathering
about her only daughter-the little pilgrim
of four short Summers-and as she looked
at the guileless. baby face she thought,
poor mother, that it might be best so, for
''He who loved little ones carries the lambs
in hnc n Eatbar - Sba nI
save her from such story pathway as her
mothers has beenp
Finally, as the child moves in her sleep,
the little hands loosen their hold and the
mother joins the boys by the hearth.
"Mother, dear mother, is there any bread ?"
asked Harry, the youngest; or anything,
mother. | don't care what!' added Fred,
while Frank, the eldest. said nothing, only
taking his mothers hand and rubbing his
thin little face against il.
The mother went to the pantry and
brought out three slices of stale bread and
pint-basiu of cold broth. This will have
to do for the night, boys" she said mot add
ing that there was not another mouthfnl in
the house, and bending down she held the
basin over the flame until hot, and then
poured it over the bread.
oh, mother, 1t Is so good" said Harry.
TASTES like MORE" added Fred, with
faint attempt at joke.
The weary mother talked with the boys
for weary halfhour, endeavoring to put
brightness in her voice that her poor heart
never knew, and then said: Boys it would
be warmer for you in bed; mother will tuck
you up, for it is bitter night" and she
shvered as she spoke. The bed was only
an old mattress spread in one corner, but as
the mother tucked tile WOODEN spread about
them, and they were still clothed with coats
aud pants, they began to feel quite comfort
able and chattY.
They talked in low whispers, but the
mother heard all. Frank speaks first. "Oh,
BOYS, / saw such II jolly shawl sold to-day at
O'Connor's auctionl 1t was so red and so
warm: oh, my, and it cost only one dollar.
Ii l only could have bought it for mother"
Where's your money you earned hold
ing horses, I'd like to know" queriad Fred.
Gone to ray for medicine and broth for
Baby May" answered Frank, and then
added in lower voice, Fred; I'm afraid
Baby May is going to heaven" DOM to
heaven?" echoed Harry; {" wis 1 touid do
too, dere's eyerysin' bootiful dare; 'trismas
presents and all" Lets pray TO God TO
take MS too-let Us tell him--we're so cold
and hungry" added Fred and have dot
nosing but an old wusty knife" chimed
Harry.
Frank laughed at this speech. but the
listening mother sighed. "Oh, my Cod aid
us in aur extremity. or my darlings will soon
get their WISH" and then she took from her
bosom thin kid case and opening it, took
sober now, but came near killing you in
my last drunken spree, and | cannot tell
what NAV do in my next. L cannot give
up the terrible cup. | cannot pray; may
be doomed, but you may pray If you choose
-perhaps-God knows. And now-good-
by-go to your father; he will be to you
what | am not-a protector" Baby May
was only six months old them" she unused.
land have prayed all these years since for
Donald, dear Donald" and the tears fell
thick and fast.
Down at the wharf vessel had just
dropped anchor and furled her damp sails.
The passengers left the deck with quick
tread, but with sober faces. for the wildly
punging waves swelling loudly and darkly
to the spray-swept shore, and the chilling,
gusty wind possessed a very depressing in
fuencP. One of the passengers man of
about 40, with heavy beard and keen. gray
eyes, grasped his well-wOrn Satchel and
started on his way through the wet and
cherries streets. He evidently knew his
way, for he ignored all offers of assistance
turned neither t. the right nor left, but
straight ahead to Bristol avenue. He then
slackened his pace somewhat, as he neared
Conway Hall. he scanned the numbers close.
mo. 1856, 7S6, 1877, 7SS-heTe's the number,
surely, hut Pm not so sure of my man."
He ran up one flight, and his eyes met the
sign dupont & Raymond. aitorneys-at-
law" Yes-he is all right SO far-he
touched the bell.
"Is Mr.. Dupont imp" "Be is; walk in,
please" invited the office-boy where is
hep" abruptly asked the caller. I'm his
sanctum," answered the boy; What name,
sir?" Tell him an old friend wishes to
speak to him. He'll not come for that,
sir; there are so many imposters, sir. that
he'll never come out without your name,
sir" ASK him if he likes filbertS boy"
THAT 'ud be queer question, sir" ASK
hm-queer or not"
"Mr. Dupont" said the boy, entering the
pleasant retreat of the bachelor lawyer, "a
queer man mas just come in, and it's he. sir.
not |, that wants to know if your honor
likes flberts;,,,' "FiIberts,, filbeTts," unused
he; 'filberts," and light broke over his
face, 'hring him in" and as the boy turned
to do his bidding, he arose, and quickly fol-
lowed, greeting the newcomer on the
thr, shod. donald. boy, IAN it be?"
"Ralph, oh Ralph" and the two embraced
with such fervor that they might have been
called David and Jonathan.
The great coat was laid aside, the coffee
and oysters for two were brought in, and
as they ate and drank and talked they gave
never thought to the little otiice-boy out
side, who-the lobby door being left wide
Open-heard every word that they spoke.
A name arrests his tagging attention; he
hears his master say: And have you never
heard a word from your wife OF concerning
her?" and the reply came sadly, Never
o my God-what will all thy goodness to
ulC w IL L CdlHul llilu my WIZ anu UtlUieSS
children?" "Cheer up. Donald; we must
hunt up all the Roscoes in the city; but
still she may have used her maiden name
strange, but l forget it; what was it?"
"Delapier-her father was French, YOU
know If she has taken that name / en-
trace her, If she is living for there are very
few Delapiers in America"
"Phew! very few; know lots of 'em." 1t
was the office-boy, talking loud in his ex-
element.
"Davie" called Mr.. Dupont "Well,
sir" answered Davie, coming to the door.
What were you talking about?" II
couldn't help hearing what you said, sir"
And what did you say-turn about is
fair play" IL" stammered the Office
boy, 81 said Delapier was common
enough. ] know five of 'em, sir" Five
Delapiers," said the visitor, grasping the
boys arm tightly. Tell me. boy what are
| their given names, and where are they?"
well, sir, loosen your grip, please, sir
| there-there's Mrs. Deapier-she's beau
tiful woman, sir. but so sad like and so
poor" And the others. what of them ?''
asked the stranger. "Wel. sir, there's
Frank Delapier, he's the bravest boy /
ever knew, sir, but he's starvin'; then
tbnra rad noto nd