The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1893-08-31
AT THE DOOR OF THE MISSION.
now One of the Poor OutcaSts Wondered
at the Young Lady Worker.

HOW One of the Poor OutcaSts Wondered
at the Young Lady Worker.
She stood with arms folded, leaning
against the lamp post in front of the
little mission Sunday-school on Clark
street. She was only the miserable
rum of what had once been a remark
ably beautiful woman. The children
within were singing some old time
Sunday-school songs and two or three
times the sound of her voice mingled
with theirs. A carriage drawn by fine
olack horses drew mp very near to
Where she stood, and a tall, handsome
" dressed young lady alighted and
went into the mission room. The ruin
by the lamp post smiled grimly and
shook her head.
Edging a little nearer to her re-
porter asked: DO you know that young
lady?"
She started, gave a quick, searching
look and replied: mo, sir. That is, l
am not acquainted with her, if that is
what you you mean. But know who
she is; see her here every Sunday l
love to watch her when she comes. She
steps SO light and pretty, and looks so
happy. Though do suppose she some
times thinks herself very miserable and
unhappy. o, Lord! it makes me laugh
and it makes me cry"
She paused, laughing a sort of hard
ugly chuckle.
) -"What makes you laugh and cry?"
20, to remember. Sir, you may not
believe me. but it is as true as preach
ing was once rich and handsome
and hght-hearted as that girl is now.
was proud, too; very proud. That's
what makes me cry, sir, for | know |
can never go back again. And laugh
when | remember what little things
used to make me sad fused sometimes
to think had a great deal of trouble
inthose days, but did not know what
trouble was then. have learned since.
wonder, sometimes, if that pretty
thing will ever learn what real sorrow
means. wonder if her heart will ever
be acrushed and bleeding thing; if she
will ever be dead while she liveth; if
she will ever love-love with all the
strength of her woman's nature-one
wholshe believes to be part of her
very being, soul of her soul, light of
her I've. wonder if she will think he
is all that is pure and noble, generous
and tnselfish, manly and brave. l
wondF if she will be deceived: if she
will letrn, when it is everlastingly too
late, tfht he is base, ignoble, selfish
cowardA | wonder if he will leave her
alone. AID poor, stranger in a strange
city; If Ahe will ever wander, at mid
night, i'll and homeless, hungry, cold,
and forsaken, up and down the streets
of ChicagoNwith his child on her bosom;
If she win look out over the dark
waters of Lake Michigan while her
whole frame trembles with an awful
temptation and thinks how easy it
won ID be to end her pain.
~ wonder if she will ever look for
thelast time on the face of her precious
BABY, and it will be still and lifeless; if
sh9 kiss its lips and eyes and find
thfm cold, and then part forever from
thf last thing she has on earth to love
and care for. ! wonder if she will 90
downward then, faster and faster, un-
Nsasssml fse % ty RrsSt city. And then,
Sometimes, win she look from her de-
graded position, from her horrible pit
of mire and clay and see him, honored
and petted by society. and respected
by his fellow-citizens? Then, wonder,
will she think God is cruel
She shut her lips hard as she finished
speaking. stood silent for moment,
then, without taking notice Of the re-
porter as though she had been speak
ing to herself, went across the street
and entered door over which was a
sign reading: Ladies' entrance. y
Chicago Tribune.