The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1891-10-02

home Tor the DAY. He asked me himself
to tell you so. Come, move on, and
doa't let me see you hanging around
any more, or I'll find an engagement
for you that will last sixty days Come.
march!'
Sir | exclaimed IN a tone OF lnCig-
nation, having partially recovered my
presence Of mind, what right have you
to insult Ley? tell you have bust
ness here. If you don't instantly leave
me ! viii have you discharged tomor-
row"
DO, my beauty! and lest you should
oyersleep yourself in the morning and
not be on hand to keep your word, come
with me now
He reached out his hand to seize me
by the arm, and all my fears returned.
But at that instant heard u voice, and
to my mingled relief and CONSERVATION
the face Of Francis Prime appeared over
my tormentors shoulder.
What is the matter, officer:'
Nothing. your honor. except this here
young woman. She's for reporting me,
she Is, and losing me my situation. But
as | happen to have seen he~ congregat-
ing by herself mostly every day for the
past fortnight around these offices, !
thought II run her in as disreputabie
lot, and we'd see who's who.
.'Oh, sir!-Mr. Primer l cried, forget
ting my discretion in the excitement OF
the moment, don't let him take me off!
What he says isn't true. I'm 4 lady
that IS, q poor girl who's perfectly hon
est, and is trying to earn her living"
"a nice lady you are, trying to lose
hardworizing folks their situations!'
You called me by name" said Mr..
Prime, DO you know me? Come here,
Ike!' The dog was shifting around my
feet
Eyes, sir-no-that is, | have seen you
come out of your Office"
| He looked at me searchingly and
turned to the policeman. what was
she doing when you arrested her?'
Indeed, SIR broke in, II was mere
ly sitting here resting myself. when this
this man spoke to me. was doing
nothing wrong"
You hear what she says, officer
What is your charge against herr"
''Prorliscuous and unlawful congre-
eating by herself, your honor. When a
young woman as swears she's honest
goes peeking into other folks windows
after dark, II always has my suspicious
as you would, too, if you had been in the
business as long as / have. 1t want
more than a week ago that 1 caught her
with her nose against a plate glass win
dow of yours, and l told her then to
move on. But she didn't; and the next
thing we shall be hearing some fine
morning that there's been breaking and
entering done"
Frightened as I was, could not help
blushlng.
why were you looking into my Of
fceP' said Mr.. Prime. ''It doesn't seem
a very serious ofense," he added, turn
ing to the officer.
sit amt murder and it amt arson,
that's fat" observed that functionary
'but we don't draw no such fine distinc-
lions in our profession. If we did the
judges would have nothing to do"
The colloquy gave me time to think
up an answer. was in a tight place
and it would not do to mince matters.
Mr.. Prime turned back to me with an
air of inquiry.
Il was wondering, sir, when | looked
into your window, if there was any use
in my applying for work"
care you in want?" he asked
Il am trying to find place. l am
without occupation at present. The
times are SO hard it is almost impossible
for an honest girl to find anything to do.
| only want chance"
| He looked at me with closer inter
est. OF course my voice and my feat.
ures, after the first impression produced
by my needy dress, must have puzzled
an observer SO intelligent as Mr.. Prime.
II believe the girls story" he said to
the policeman. Il feel sure she is hon,
est"
The man shrugged his shoulders. "a
moment ago it was she was lady, and
waiting for somebody. But amt par
ticular, if you are ready to go bail fol
the young woman. OF course I'm only
doing my duty, and if you are satisfied,
your honor, don't blame me if you find
your watch missing before you get home.
l always keep pair of twisters alongside
Of mine, and that's why l thought she
might be safer with me than with you.
With this oracular utterance the Off
cial turned on his heel and departed, to
my intense relief. was fairly overcome
with dread and modification, and my
eyes fell under the interested look of my
rescuer
"You seem distressed and tired, poor
girl. This street is no place for you al
such an hour. You say you are in search
of work."
Eyes, sir" l answered family.
"Humph! Can you writer"
''Oh, yes, sir
Come to my Office, then, tomorrow
morning, and may be able to find some
thing for you to do. And now go home
as fast as you can. Stop, here is a trifie
for your fare. Good night"
He raised his hat in recognition of the
grateful glance from my eyes. My
cheeks had felt like live Goals as | took
the coin he held out to me. But chose
to continue the deception. 1t was harm
less; and to disclose the fact that was
other than | seemed would only make