The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-04-23
RETURN AFTER MANY DAYS.

The Hudson River day-bOat bound Tor
New York had just landed at a small VIII
lage on the west side of the river. when
q young girl, with a bundle clasped tight
ly in enc hand. and holding a gaily flow
cred carpet bag in the other, walked
quickly down the wharf and was ready
to step upon the gang plank the moment
It was thrown down. She glanced fur
lively over her shoulder as she did go,
and with her uncertain steps-fcr she
was lame-would have fallen had not a
strong hand caught her and held Ter
firmly till she gained her footing. SlG
looked up to see the homely, good-natured
face Of Joe Hawkins, one of her neigh
bors =
"Oh, Joe!" she exclaimed, in surprise.
Folks don't know ye're going, guess"
whispered Joe, with a giggle. Thought
as much when / see Benny take them
goods Of your'n down to the dock this
mornin' and hide 'em In the old canal
boat Well, nobody III blame We. Wonder
Is we've stood it as long as we haye."
Don't tell any one you've seen me,
please. joel" said the pale girl. anxiousy.
Not that / think any one will care cx-
cept Benny" and her voice faltered. "Be
good to Benny. Joe, and make things as
easy for him as you can. I'm going TO
send for him as soon as get work In the
city and can take care Of him."
The bell tinkled. Joe jumped off the
boat. and Eunice Williams hurried into
the cabin, where after depositing her few
belongings, she sank into n seat and gave
herself up to the relief which came as
she heard that dashing of the water
against the boat, and knew by the revolu-
lions OF the paddle wheel, first rapid and
spasmodlc, then more slow and regular
that her journey was at last fairly begun
-tnat Journey about which she had
thought and dreamed and prayed so lorg
ole
DOW at the receding hills. those dear
companions of her childhood. now brown
and desolate in their autumnal baroness
Tor sne had waited for COURAGE to take
tnis step until the Ganymede was making
its last trip, realizing sense of what
sne mad done came over her with crush
ing weight. and she buried her face IN
her hands and gave way to tears which
she could no longer restrain But this
would never do. She must be brave for
Bel nys sake-Benny, the blue-eyed
darling brother who was committed to
her care by their dying mother. and
VINO must now be saved from the infu-
ence CT drunken fathers example and
from the neglect Of the unloving woman
who stood In their mothers stead
But youth cannot long be sorrowfu,
and as the genial warmth Of the boat
crept gratefully over her senses. she took
q rosy-cheeked apple from her pocket
remembering now for the first time that
she had had no dinner and had been
too nervous and anxious to do more
than taste the poor meal which passed
Tor breakfast In her comfortless home.
The apple was Bennys parting gift. and
looking at ii tenderly she unconsciousIv
thought aloud: Benny shall go to school
and then TO college If l can do IL. and
i think I can, if"
And who is Benny?" asked a voice
close beside her
Eunice looked up to see plainly
dressed woman standing beside her.
whose face, somewhat stern in repose
softened INTO sympathy as she spoke to
the friendless girl.
Il have been watching you, child. since
you came on TO the boat l heard your
conversation with that young man. and
us my opinion that you do not know
what you are undertaking in going to the
city alone TO look for work. Have vou
any friends there?"
mo, ma'am," answered Eunice frank
Iy; but l hear there is plenty of work
there for those who are willing to do n
and / am willing to work. oh. I do not
care now hard. IL only can take care
OF myseif and make good man out of
Benny"
Her simple story was soon told ana
MRS. Darwin. greatly interested. began
70 cast about In her own mind for some
plan by which she might help the worse
HAr AVA small house