The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-12-20

''st fHft NdOtc LcNh va tHe UHtDs
the house was made OF mud. What was
not covered with shallow water left by re-
cent Hoods was ornamented in conven-
iiona designs by the many tracks of stray
ducks, geese and chickens. Only on the
loose boards leading from the bank to the
little porch might one step. The house was
about SKI In size, with a smaller addition
IN the rear. A dingy, rickety little porch
along the side of tile house was Uttered
with household trash and an ELUSIVE dog,
and rags In place of three or four broken
window-panes told no story of arrogant
riches.
AS l slid down the steep bank and
splashed the boards in the mud an old
lady Who was trying TO split a little chunk
OF wood Oh the porch with broken Ratchet
slowly rose up and looked nquiringly at
me. Her eyes suggested that they might
easily flash with temper. but her manner
was pleasant and candid. A few gray locks
struggled out from under the kerchief that
bound her head, and her clothing was as
picturesquely forSaken and forlorn in its
appearance as her home. The wrinkles
were thick on her brown face.
l asked the old lady if it were true that
neither she nor tie boy had received any
thing from the estate that was awarded TO
him early last summer.
We'll, didn't see five cents of Il till the
other day" she replied. "and Judge Coffey
said we ought to have got 1890 a good
and Henry'S garden done with il, but
sometimes L didn't have i've cents TO get a
loaf of bread for the boy to eat They
thought we didn't know much, and they
could make mess and say the money went
THIS way and that way, and we wouldn't
know any better.
"Ob, yes, Henry got two bits and fou
bits once in a while, but that's all he did
get. He went to his lawyer once and asked
for dollar 10 go TO the theater with, and
w hot n va afTnt- hA
The lawyer told him oncet he'd get him
suit OF clothes. and he took him around to
an old woman. Them people have way
OF talkin' We don't understand, and Henry
didn't know what they were a-ssyin'. The
woman took him 10 her husband and he
Well. II wasn't worth SIS, and Henry
wouldn't wear the coat and vest at all.
Come in and I'll show 'em TO you.''
went into tine little abode and sat down.
The floors were carpetless, and distress
stared from every corner, where things
were piled in disorder. The old woman sat
down, too. and talked in a simple way for
half an hour OF the life she ana her boy had
led. lie was her boy. for she had raised
him from the time be was few weeks old,
and she displayed great deal Of pride and
tenderness for the boy she had always sup
ported, but on whose mere presence she
leaned In her troubled way into the deepen
ing shadows.
YES. hany's the time I didn't have five
cents to find something for me boy TO eat
DON need much. but CROWN boy wants
nourishin' food, and / like to get him meat
when can. After Henry won the case /
went to Mr Dobson up there and borro wed
little, till owed him 81. and borrowed
a Few dollars once in awhile here and there
asked Mr.. Powers, that keeps place on
Brannan street, could he let me have SIS,
and he did. | KEEP il in the house, and once
IN while I'D give Henry two bits to 60 and
get good meal. Nobody's ever lived mar
rerer than l have.
We'll, last summer was sick and says
10 henry, Henry, go to sea, where you can
get something TO eat, anyhow and he went
God knows il was hard to part with him.
put couldn't see the boy half starvin.' He
had to wait for his ship to go out. and /
says, Henry. see II you can't get some of
the money comm TO you,' for somehow he
could get some before he went He got
some for me and he sailed jest ABBOTT the day
he won the case.
Il was sick in bed and had a woman
tendln' me here. A doctor from the bospi-
tai said once | wouldn't live three hours
1 had the grip and Inflammation of the
bowels and the pant L went this way all
the time"
The old lady breathed very hard.
They call that the pant. That fat lawyer
KEN down to see me and l was In bed in that
little room in there. lie says. We'll, Mrs.
McGregor. Henry has won the ease l
says, We'll, L glad o. that. for the boy will
be able TO get enough To eat Where is
Henry? he said. l said he'd gone To sea.
lie says, why he ought to a told me about
IT. says, He don't need to tell anybody
but them that's raised him and been pa
rents 10 him. L says, L told him to go to
sea where he could get enough TO eat and
let some o the dirt OF the Potrero blow off
him.
lie was sittin' there with his pure cash
mere pants and his elegant cane. and he
DIDN'T ask me II had 5 cents. Pretty soon
ne put his hand here and tux out his white
handkerchief. and says: Mrs. McGregor,
Henry ought to have another gardeen.' Ii
Ia said yes he'd said I'll be his gar
deem but didn't. or course when Henry
came back he had little money, but il
aiunt last long. Last week Henry said il
Ia go TO the City Hall could get $500, and
1 get H., and then just spent whole day
Tampln' about payin' what l owed, and /
jest KEEP little to live ON.
les; I'll get out Of this place pretty
soon IL the, good Lord is willln'," she said
when L asked her about her house. "I'ye
peeh tryin' to get out for ever so long. The
last time strained the water came up through
the noor 10 the stove. and had 10 wade out
over my knees one night. and 10 to a woman
know on PofTero avenue TO sleep all night.
Last summer after Henry won the case
FOUND an elegant house up on Hayes street
tnat WAS SIS a month. ana went to MIR.
Ooroei'. Henry's guardeen, and asked him
cou!u ne give me Sl3 10 get the house. He
SAID lie couldn't He said he had to SEM
all bis money TO bis boy that was fightin' i'm
the East. Well. month later l found an
other house that was S13, and went TO MIR.
Corbett again, abut he wouldn't give me the
money. hear he has paid a whole lot OF
money TO the lawyers though"
M L..