Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1891-02-06
hnh he exi,il,IlnI hls Lnlr.llolInr.


lit was very brave act" said the
girl.
Not hit of it," said John. "It's
brave to live and fight rs long as you
can--thats my idea"
II cant; I've nothing to fight with"
said the girl. "Oh. if YOU knew"
"rel me-" said John.
"My father died" said the girl. "Mv
stepmother hated me. She married
again, aud her second turned me ont
of the house. Ia had lett ker all lis
money; had nothing. came To New
York aud got sewing to do. One day
the woman that employed me asked
me il I'd make her wall-pocket for
her papers. The kind mean is made
out of old steelS from cXtGnderS. You
knit worsted over them. You know"
John did not know. but lie looked rs
wise as possible.
Il was To make it as favor, not
for pay" the girl went on" "and mt
home, evenings. liked doing il; bat
the stecls were TOO long. had To break
most of them. aud it gave me lelon
on my thumb. | cant uSe it yet 10
sew with. aud can't do anything but
Il
but she never offered TO help me at
al. She dismissed mo and took AN
other girl in my place. Thea couldn't
pay my board and they tHrned mo ont.
] went to II hospital. the doctor said
that my finger wasn't bad eaough TO
allow them to admit me-; lao said it
" ould bo all right In month. Well,
i have not even any where 10 sleep to-
night. I shall have to starve or bag
will not beg. Now YOU see that you
had better 90 away and let ms finish
what began"
That can't he DONE" said John.
Every one who knew John called
him queer. Ii acting differently from
other people under given circumstances
is being queer he certainly wa'.
As Ire looked down upon this lit,le
pale. preity. and asSuredlv Innocent
girl. and knew that il he went away
and left her she would assnrrdly jump
into the water his heart softenetl to-
ward her us womeu's do to crying
babies. What dear little thing she
was, he thought. What shame that
fate should have used her so. 1t
seemed his duty to take care Of her.
'O,. hang it. I'll get job on Mon
day." he said; ''and everybody tells
me that it is rs easy for two to live as
one. I'll do it,"
Then he turned to the girl and said:
circumstances alter cases. It's q
queer kind OF caurtShip. but | like Won.
] guess YOU could like me if YOU tried.
Will you marry me? FL get work on
Monday, I'm sure. I've got half n
dollar. Come TO the minister with
me. and be married. aud I'll take care
OF you after this"
What the girl said was:
''Oh. myl Why. never heard Of
say?'
People will not know-it's our own
business. think You'll make good
Wife" returned John. You need
taking care OF the worst way. Think
about it,"
He left her alone and walked mp and
down. She looked ut him-and John
was handsome. He looked mt her, and
thought again that she was the sweet
est little thing he hal ever seen. He
smiled. too. He went back aud sat
down beside her.
Guess we'll go the minister" he
said.
We'll. you don't know the least
thing about NO." she said; land | can't
see how YOU can like me enough
IL don't either" he admitted. bat
/ do like Won better than /! ever liked
any other girl"
Il feel that way To you." she said.
And lhen they walked to tho house
of IN old minister. VINO was willing to
take his fee in thanks aud give them
his blessin" into the bargain.
And Jphu aud Annie were husband
AMI wife.
On Monday John Collins went forth
to search for work. rather more
anxionsIy than Scfore. and l am sorry
10 say he found none.
He remained away all day and re-
turned home in very low spirits.
Annie had prepared supper. She
had cuokcd two red herriu:s ut Mrs.
Romev's tire. and set the candlc-stand
with cloth. ON which she had placed
two wooden pie-piates and two tim
cups. The bread was slicel nicely.
aud drawing OF tea" had been made
III n pitcher.
The room was tidy. the window
shown. aud Annie looked happy.
joan began to l,c 6 ,ecrful again.
TO lr sure have not had mex 10.
day. hut il viii come tomorrow" he
said as he sat down To- supper.
Annie looked very pretty on the
otnrr side oil The tiny table.
''If only man could be sure Of a
good living" John thought. he would
he much happier married than single"
After tea Annie cleared away the
thinks. AMI John went out on the stu,r-
case with his pipe wnile she did 80. He
believed hat women disliEcd SIN uke,
but knew that Annie would never adj
nit tho fact.
As he sat there. wondering where he
should ~ to Look for work next day. u
gentleman came stumbling up the dark
stairs.
ii am looking for Mr.. John
Collins" he said.
That's my name" sail John.
"You are married man. sir?" asked
the gentleman.
Yes. SIR" said John. "I've beer
married about two days, il that will