St. Landry democrat., 1892-07-09

stumbled up one flight, then CROPPED
our way round the corner and found
another flight.
"Great Scott! I've mind to take
a header out Of the window SrOWled
Cages. Il was never in such a fix
in my life. We may have to fight for
it, Hugh; but Won'tit look queer in
the papers to morrow, Reuben Cages
picked up dead in this den! What in
thunder did come here for, anyhow?
But I'll make this scamp pay for 1t,
see if don't. I'll have him up in Ell
mira for ten. year trip, as sure as you
live"
We reached the door Of the back
second story room at last. The NUT
burst in with a loud yell. 1t seemed
like a signal agreed upon, and fully
expected to see half u dozen toughs,
and to lose my watch and my money:
Ny fist got into frlgid condition, anu,
being something OF an athlete, L de-
termined to give one fellow at least a
blow straight from the shoulder which
would do credit to my muscle.
Mamma. Mamma! I've got 'em
here they be-
How could SO small a boy show such
viciousness Hooked at Caggs, burly
fellow, and noticed that he was pale.
"You haven't a weapon Of any sort,
I suppose ?" he whispered.
Not thing" replied.
"Well, we may as we'll prepare for
some hot work.
Just then from the dingy room on
the side q poor, WORKOUT woman
came. She was startled Mt the sight
Of two grim gentlemen on her premis-
es and turned inquiringly to the boy.
Mamma, the youngest began,
this man said he'd come an help
you bury Sis. Pom my word he did.
Didn't you, Mister ?"
Il beg your pardon for the intru-
sion, madam, said Cages with great
courtliness, " but"
Mamma, he thought I was q
ginooine bunco-steerer. Say, now,
didn't he ?" turning to me.
The woman's eyes filled with tears
It was all so unexpected, and she
didn't know the meaning Of 1t. -.
tie fellow put his arms about his
mothers knees and looked imploring-
ly into her face. "'Taint no cop,
Mamma; he's regular sumner, he l..
He's got a drayload of money IN his
pocket, an he's going TO give us
some. An I've got some, too. See I?
Here's eight cents, Mamma, an I'll
go right out ag'in an bring in lot
more"
The woman, Mrs. Carney, told her
story. The like of it can be heard any
day in any quarter of New York. But
it was new to Caggs. Those keen eyes
which coldly watched the rise and fail
of the stock market were moistened
as she went on.
She came from Keene, New Hamp-
shire, she said.
why, that's where I was born,"
said my millionaire
Then they looked at each other
steadily and long.
"Why! Is it possible? You are
not Mollie Flanders 2" he asked.
"That was my name before l mar
ried James," she answered.
"And don't you know me ?" he
queried.
She looked again, and through her
tears saw that peaceful New England
village, and recalled the bright and
careless days of her girlhood in the
long, long ago.
81 seem to remember" she began,
but then hesitated.
"You can't have forgotten me-"
said Caggs. 1--WE went to school TO-
gether at the Cross Roads,"
I thought him really handsome at
that moment. There was a flush in
his cheeks, and fire in his eyes, and
understood why Julia Warden fell
in love with him.
Are you Reuben Caggs?" she
asked, timidly.
Yes, indeed, I am" he replied,
warmly.
They talked for half an hour. Ny
friend forgot that he was in the sec
Ond- story back of u tenement house,
forgot the stuffy smell Of the apart
ment, even forgot the stock market,
and listened to the sad history of a
life which began in sunshine but was
now clouded with gloom and bereave-
ment. The husband had taken to
drink through ill-luck, and his body
was lying in Potter's Field. Mollie
had struggled for her two children,
little Bill, whom we thought q bunco-
Stecrer, and Mamie, who lay in her
Shroud in the other room.
Bill insisted that we should look at
isis" before we went. The body was
on a pine board supported by two
rickety chairs. There was a white,
partly faded carnation in her hand.
Bill had found it in the street.
What d strange scene! Cages melt
ed at the sight, and as for Newell,
no matter. The woman on the front
had brought in a tattered motto and
hung it on the wall. The legend was.
'Of such is the Kingdom Of Heaven. "
Cages looked about the room, then at
the face of the pale sleeper, and [ saw
his lips tremble. Four months before
be had buried his only child, beauti-
full Alice. When his eyes fell on that
motto, it seemed too much for him.
The eyes Of the many times q Million
aire were filled with tears.
my God, Hugh" he said, hoarsely;
let us get out Of this. | can't stand
Then he turned to the fragile, suf-
fering woman.
Molly he said, IT don't know
much about these things, but he
choked a little" but I'm sorry for
you. I shall ask my wife, Julia, to
come and see you this afternoon. She
will attend to the details of the funer-
al" His hand went into his pocket.
Giving her roll of bills, he added,
6 Take this for old times sake, and
when you want more, come and see
US"
When We reached the sidewalk he
turned on me almost tiercely.
s. Hugh" he said, Il can't talk much
to-day. You 60 up town, | will go
down town. I've had q new expert
ence, and I shall have to give up some
Of my theories about the poor. Pos
II hlu Inlia Is rinht aftar oil Good.