The Press., 1891-05-07

ain't we, Curly? You and I have been on the same beat long time."
 had just time to make my train, 80 putting the promised pennies into Char lies hand, I hurried away.
 The next day, putting business aside, I found out from the policeman where my protege lived. On the way to his home 1 had to pass through streets that made me shudder with fear and disgust. Finding the house, I was directed to a basement door, at which I knocked, a woman's, voice calling to me faintly to come in. May God grant that the day come speedi- ly when such dens as the one entered then shall vanish forever from His fair worldl Lighted by small, square win dow, half of which was boarded up, heat ed not at all, filthy beyond description, was this room where human beings shel- tered. The only furnishing of the place was the miserable bed on which lay a wo- man, too i'll to raise her head as I entered the room.
 \ little son, Charlie," I said, in explanation of my intrusion, land have como to-,
 ''Is he hurt? Oh, in heavens name, don't tell me that"
 "No, no, he is not hurt. have only come because he told me you are Ill.,"
 II am glad my boy has friend" the woman answered, slowly, with evident pain. Hell need one soon. I've not much longer to stay by him. He's good boy, but oh, Miss he's too young to go on the streets. What could I do? He's all I've got, and I'm all he's got" < I questioned her about herself, while doing what little could to make her bed more comfortable.
 My husband died from drinking" she said, between the pauses for breath and after awhile took sick. We've had hard enough times, my baby and l, to keep out of debt and sin, but so far we've done it. I've been lying here for six weeks, and that little fellow has earned enough to buy what food we needed and pay the rent. haven't wanted much myself, but he ought to have good food. He's grow. ing fast, and-he's so little!"
 AS she said these last words her face grew winter than 1t had even, and in hel struggle to breathe she tainted. Wher she partially rallied went out to fnt help. But there was no one in that wretched street with enough manhood ol womanhood left them to sympathize with or care for human woe, lso went back tt tell the poor, dying creature would leav' her for little, tt retsarn with food ant friends. While waS chafing her coll hands the door wal puAiasd open, and i clattered Curly Charlte ne nodded i half surprise to me, aud then pushed pas me to his mother.
 "Charlie, dear"
 The faint voice stopped, the tired hea fell little to one side, and saw the res and peace of death steal over the wor features. Her little son, unsccustome to this strange, cold visitant, stroked he white face, asif she were the baby, an he the strong, loving protector. ''I'm rich now, mammy! See all m pennies! sold all my papers to-day, an, one man he gave me fifty cents an, wouldn't take no change. Nanny, won you look ateall the money7 I'm going t. buy bread, and meat and tea. Noso you'l get well! Nanny, dear! Mammy?" knelt down there beside them, puttin | my arms around the child who did no know he was talking to ears forever close l to his voice.
 Charlie, darling, your mamma canno hear you. God has taken her away t 1 another home-a. better one. She wil never be hungry and sick again." To my dying day shall not forget tn look in those brown eyes, as they tried t read in my face the full meaning of what had said. From me they wandered bacl to the white, still face on the pillow, bu yet with only wonder and perplexity fl them.
 Do you understand me, my child Mamma has been sick long while, yo know, but she can never be sick again She cannot hear you, little Charlie. No child, she cannot kiss you. Charlie, you mother is dead"
 He answered me never word, but stoo there as if turned to stone. I hardl knew what to do Onoe moro triod- t l take him in my arms, but he wrenche' himself, away, and falling prone on tn floor, sobbed out, "Oh, nanny, mann my! I want my nanny! Oh, nanny naasnmy!"
 The funeral was to be next day.
 All too late kind hearts and generou hands waited on the poverty and sorro, in that dingy little room. If had no turned away the first time I heard tn note of trouble in Charities voice ther might have been life and hope there, ir stead of death and despair. By the sid of the dead registered a VOW to care fo the helpless orphan, and from that day when the voice of want or sorrow appeal ed to me, not to turn .heedlessly away.
 The wasted form of the mother wa clad simply and cleanly. Her face wa very sweet and peaceful. Charlie ha been cared for, too, but he took no notic of'his neat clothes, or of the clean room He cried so heart-brokenly when we trie to coax him away from the sight of ths quiet form that we did not urge him furtf or, and as two of us arranged. to stay ur til the funeral should be over, we keI him there with us. rag41es ass.e.
 It was only by telling him how grieve his mother would be if she knew he woul not eat, that we persuaded him to take little food. He slept but little throug the night, and when he did, tossed res iessly from side. to side. crying ever th l dnar doar mama ssMammvt Mamuoxy ,N