Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1891-07-22

makes it my duty to take care of the wo
men folk when they need it, You seen
to-
You mean to be very kind, said the girl
but you are not. l suppose you have ne
idea what it is to be all alone in a big city
without money and without work.
Oh said 81. 'but haven't had any WORK
for three weeks, and this is my cash in
}hand.
And be exhibited his half dollar.
sOh,' she said, with an air of greater CON.
fidence. well, yes, you do know some.
thing about it, only you are not q woman.
NO said 81. 'of course that makes it
worse fer you. But tell me, what drove you
to that oowardly act?'
/ 1T is very brave act said the girl.
Not bit of it, said Si. 'It's bravo to
to live and fight as long as you can-that's g
my idea.'
Il can't; I've nothing to fight WITH said
the girl. 'Oh, if you knew
Tell me. said 81.
my father died. said the girl. sMy step
mother hated me. She married again, and
her second husband turned me out of the
house. Pa had left her all his money, had
nothing. came to New York and got
sewing to do. One day the woman that
employed me asked me if I'd make her a
|
mean Is made out of old steels from exten-
ders. You knit worsted over them, you
know
81 did not know, but he looked as wise as
Ipossible.
i was to make it as favor, not for pay,
the girl went on, sand at home, evenings.
I liked doing it; but the steels were too
long. had to break most of them, and it
gave me a felon On my thumb. can't use
it yet to sew with, and l can't do anything
but sew. That woman knew how l got it,
but she never offered to help me at all. She
dismissed me and took another girl in my
place. Then I couldn't pay my board and
they turned me out. l went to hospital.
The doctor said my finger wasn't bad enough
to allow them to admit me; he said it would
be all right in month. Well, have not
even anywhere to sle3p to night. / shall
have to starve or beg-I will not beg. Now
you see that you had better go away and
| let me finish what began
| That can't be done,' said 81.
Every one who knew 81 called him queer.
If acting differently from other people un-
der given circumstances is being queer, he
certainly was.
AS he looked down upon this pale, pref
ty and assuredly innocent girl, and knew
that if he went away aud left her she would
surely jump into the water, bis heart soft
ened toward her as wemen's do to crying
babies. What dear little thing she was!
he thought. What a shame that fate should
have used her so! It seemed his duty to
take care of her.
| 'Ob, hang it! I'll get job on Monday
he said; 'and everybody tells me that it is
as easy for two to live as one. I'll do it.
Then he turned to the girl and said:
Circumstances alter cases. It's queer
kind of courtship, but like you. guess you
conld like me il you tried. Will you mar.
ry me? I'll getwork on Monday, Pm sure.
I've got half dollar. Come to the minis
ter with me, and be married and I'll take
care of you after this.'
What the girl said was:
'Ob, my! Why, never heard of such a
thing. What would people sayP'
People will not know-it's our own busi-
turned Si. 'You need taking care Of the
worst way. Think about it."
He left her alone and walked up and
down. she looked at him-and 81 was
handsome. He looked at her and thought
again that she was the sweetest little thing
be had ever seen. He smiled and really,
she smiled too He went back and sat down
beside her,
Guess we'll go to the minister he said.
sWall you don't know the least thing
about me, she said, and can't see how
you can like me enough
I can't see either, he admitted, sbut do
like you better than ever liked any other
girl
L feel that way to you.' sho said.
And then they walked to the house of the
minister, who was willing to take his fee in
thanks and give them his blessing into the
bargain.
And 81 and Annie were husband and wife.
/ On Monday 81 Collins went forth to
search for work, rather more anxiously
than before, and I am sorry to say he found
none.
He remained away all day and returned
home in very low spirits.
Annie had prepared supper. She had
cooked two red herrirgs at Mrs. Romey' s
fire, and set the candle stand with 8 cloth,
on which he had placed two wooden pie
plates and two tin cups. The bread was
sliced nicely and drawing of tea, had
been made in pitcher
The room was tidy, the window shone,
and Annie looked happy.
sTo be sure have not had luck to-day
but it will come tomorrow, be said, as be
. sat down to supper.
Annie looked very pretty on the other
side of the tiny table.
IF only a man could be sure of good
living 81 thonght, 'he would be much hap
. pier married than single.
After tea Annie cleared away the things
!, and 81 went out on the staircase with hi
pine while she did 80. He believed tha
: women disliked smoke, but knew that An
ME would never admit the fact.
u AS he sat there, wondering where h
: should 90 to look for work the next day,
!. gentleman CANA stumbling up the darl
> stairs.
:, lam looking for Mr.. 81 Collins b
o said.
That's my name,' said ST.
J, you are married man, sir?' asked tn
y gentleman.
s. Yes, SIR said 81. sI've been marie
IT about two days, if that will do
'Ah-you are the right man, and its you
E wife waut, said the gentlaman,
Sis heart sank.
70 what do you want her forp' he asked
thinking only of misfortune.
10 To ask few questions, said the gentle
az man.
e We have very small quarters said 81
W sbut come in
He pushed open tho door of the tin
room, but before he could speak Annie ra
| luI WHlo WleL OutouctCNCu
as Mr.. Cummings!' che cried.
Yes, Mr.. Cummings. Annie said til
n gentleman. I've been looking for yeu fl
m six months. really began to believe ye
dead, when met an old friend of mine,
zs clergyman, and happening to speak OF N
as fruitess mission, be told me that he ha
IL married young lady Of your name on Sa
on urday, Farewell Is not common nam
nc though Annie is, and as the Rev. Mr.. Da
row mad learned your husbands place I
Sc residence, I came here to see if the brio
er wore by any chance my lost heiress. ] fin
ar that she is
sn 'Anh eiressr cried Annie.
es 'Yes, my DEAR said Mr.. Cumming
re- your stepmother represented you as ha
he ing been sent to boarding school, and ii W
ne only on taking the property in charge aga
'r. ct her death, which occurred six montl
ago, that we discovered how you had be'
er hsed. You should have come at once