The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1891-11-28

|
sausage
Poor little soul.' sighed Ned
| "Nhat'> vnur namc:'
Mag said the chiA.
"And is she Your mothcr?" asked the
boy
NO" sobbcd the little creature.
! ''Thcm's that's got mothers has good
/ times. Size keeps us out of charity.
! Her name is Old Sally. She is mostly
drunk and can't work, and we hooks and
| bcgs what we can
How like pretty Fanny's blue ewes
were those turned up toward Ned. How
unlike the fate and condition of this
child,
well, Mag. I've got little sister
home," said Ned. shes about Your
age, and | cant help feeling sorry for
You. | ought to tell Mr.. Matthews, and
make charge against you; but haven't
the heart. Look here; wouldn't YOU
like to live a nice life out in the country,
and not have to steal and beg"
Wouldn't JUST cried the child.
every well, said Ned. I'm going to
write a note to Il good mana minister
Every year he sends poor orphans to the
country. You really are an orphan
have no father or mother
YES, sir. ! never had none of either"
sighed Mag, in tones that convinced the
youth of her sincerity.
In a few moments Ned had written Il
little note upon pad of paper that lay
at hand, folded it, and given it to the
child.
''You know the place where the people
meet to pray every night" he asked.
Eyes" replied Mag. 81 listens at
the doors sometimes. l likes the
singin'."
eco in tonight, if You cam" said
Ned, 'and ask to speak 10 Mr.. Smith
Give him that note. The woman who
beats you must not see it, remember"
Mug nodded wisely.
'lf YOU cannot get to the meeting to-
night, 90 tomorrow, said Ned. There's
a ten-cent piece for YOU, So you'll he
sure OF your supper. And, Nag. if Mr.
Smith sends You to nice place, be
good. Don't steal or lie, or do ANYTHING
wicked, and say yourl little prayers every
night, and grow up good girl"
YES, sir. Iii try" said Mag. Then
all of sudden she began to sob violently.
Nobody never talked so good to me
before she said. III remember
always
Ne d heard the feet of his employer on
the stairs, and led Mag to the door. put
her gently forth, and drapcd the shawl
over the shoulders of the dummy, which
was presently rolled in and put away
for the night with the other objects
which had been set forth to attract Gus
tom.
As it happened, Ned did not see good
MIR. Smith again. The prayer-mectings
soon came to Il close. aud he never
knew whether Mag carried the note to
the minister or not. 1t was possible
that she was little hypocrite who
grinned at the good advice he had given
her, and went thicving again next dav. |
However, he was glad, for Fanny sake,
that he had been as kind to her as posi- |
BILE. AT all events, he never saw her
again, and it was not long before he left |
the store and soaght his fortune in Cali |
fornia.
There he succeeded beyond his expcc-
tations, and one day returned home a .
rich man, and did all those pleasant
things that Il filial and prosperous son
does for the old folks. beginning by paw
ms off the mortgage on the homestead, /
Df course. He could scarcely believe /
that he had been away so long. Nothing .
seemed much changed-his parents
scarcely Older. Bill and Ben were ma
ture, but really improved. Only Fanny
istonishcd him. Fanny was young
slender. shapely. Her fiaxcn
lair was rich blonde, her eyes blucr
md brighter than ever, if possible. And
Fanny-was engaged to be
married. Ned could not believe that.
She was as fond of him aseyer. though,
md prouder; and before three DAYS had
zone over their heads she had set herself
o matchmaking on hisaccount.
''Of course, You know we want YOU to
'tay here, Ned, she said, land to marrv
omc one who likes the country. Now
rave a plan. You must fall in love with
ny jacks sister. She is very pretty,
md as good as an angel, and so bright,
md a perfect lady; and she just worships
he country. And You can build house
between ours and her fathers; and Jack
md L will have one opposite, and that
will DC SO delightful. You do not know
low nice she is, Ned, but you will meet
er on Thursday. She isaway on visit
ow, but is coming home Tomorrow.
thursday she will come here to tea You
must make love to her at once. Propose
$ soon as possible, and have the incest
life in the world. Oh, l am sure she
ill be-"
Ned laughed. Like most men, he :
QUILTED women's judgment of each ,,
ther Resides no had MT vat ro.oIroJ