The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1893-08-16

ing 'cept TO get through to st. john"
and she closed her eyes as if she were
not DESTROYS of further conversation.
Knox was, as rule, easily rebuffed,
but this time he was not willing 10 let
the matter drop. He looked intently at
the child and ventured TO touch one of
the poor little hands that lay on the
outside of the faded shawl. 1t was
burning hot.
" l think" said he gently, "that you
and your little one ought to be getting
some sleep-wth that long journey to
St. John before you. Shall / call the
stewal dess and ask her to help you to
your stateroom?"
i didn't git no stateroom," replied
the woman. Staterooms is fer them
that can afford to ray fer 'em. Twas
all | could do 10 buy the tickets fer me
an my husban'."
Your husband?" said Knox, inquir-
ingly;
Yes, Pm takin' his body back TO st.
john" was the answer. We've been
out West, but amt had no luck. Been
burned out, an ct out, an blowed out !;
an now there amt nothin' left-not
even Dannel"
because she was overcome by bitter
recollection, but there seemed to be
nothing further worth saying. In a
moment, however, she went on, stirred
by some vague impulse of justice to
Daniels memory.
mot but what he was smart man
an strivin' one, in spite of all his bad
luck with fire an 'hoppers an cyclones,
until he ketched the fever m ager.
That seemed ter sorter shake the life
all outen him, an he was glad to jest
die am git rid of worryin'."
The woman's tired, matter-of-fact
tone stirred Knox more profoundly
than sobs and cries could have done.
1t told of misery too complete for ordi-
nary manifestation. Wretchedness had
fairly destroyed her sensibilites. She
was past feeling anything except
WEAKNESS, and was not reused to any
show of interest when he spoke of the
alarming condition of her child.
EYES," said she listlessly, ~ s'pose
it's pooty sick. Twas sick when twas
born and amt never been well since.
managed to git suthin' for it ter eat
until this mornin', but we amt either
of us had nothin' to-day. P'r'aps that's
partly what's ailin' of it,"
The young man sprang to his feet
"Good heavens" thought he, ''here
have been plying myself because Of
the hard fare at Mrs. McTaggart's
while these poor things were starving
to death. It's lucky that | have a state
room" His mind was working so fas
as he walked away that he could no
stop for connection between his ideas.
A moment later he was back with the
fat, yellow stewardess.
Come, chile!" said she, bending
over the forlorn little widow, ''comt
wild me. Dis gen'l'man found er room
for yo' and yo' baby, an I'se gwine gi
yo' toh bald jes' quick's kim"
She put her strong arm under tn,
shoulders of the trembling creature ant
helped her to rise, encouraging her al
the while with soft, caressing tones
Knox marched off with the baby with
out blush, in spite of the many curl
our eyes that were watching.
" Get them whatever they like-te'
and toast and nice piece of beefsteak
and plenty of milk for the baby" sale
he, as he handed his shawl wrapped
bundle in through the door of the state
|
room.
How kind people are!" he though
to himself. The voluble Stewards
had overlooked with expressions of pit
for his proteg es, and it had seemed t.
him that she was offering herself an
all the resources of the Queen City TO
their use free of charge. But his al
dent soul was destined to experience
chill not much later.
81 reck'n dose pore creeters is q
comferble as dey kin be made, sab; al
l won't forgit toh look in on 'em ono
! in while endurin' de night. Di
hyar's de bill, sab, fob de tings wha
yo' ordered"
1t seemed to Knox that the broad
coffee-colored face of the Stewards
. had lost something of that celestis
swe etness which it had previousl
borne, and that her usually soft tone
had taken on an unpleasant crispnes
He took the slip of paper which sh
held out to him and with his othe
hand clutched nervously at a meage
pinch of silver in his vest pocket.
was all that he had left after his e,
travagant purchase of stateroom, an
it was either five cents more or fiy
cents less than the amount of this bill
: he could not remember which. Col
sweat started out at the edges of h
blonde hair as he thought of bein
obliged to face that terrible congreg
ton tomorrow without cent in b
pocket.
AN sumpin's gotter be done 70
dat POI baby the stewardess went OF
without seeming to notice the youn
minister's agitation. "Tain't jes' vi
les dat he's needin' toh chirk him W
No, sab. Just de mint dat l laid eye
on him seed dat he war a pow'f,
sick chile. It's doctor stuff he's nee,
in, OATS what; an de good Lawd on
knows if faint too late already"
Knox stopped lingering the silver
his pocket. He saw now how lit
good he would be able to accomplis
singl e-handed. These pitiful wal
whom chance had thrown upon his pr
lection would need many more thin!
before reaching St. John, and alreaC
he was at the end of his resources. L
must do better for them than just to b