The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-05-14
Copyright, / s 8 3
by the Author.l

SDr2nk closer 10 Une Sanu Hiil OCHiIo
which she was crouching, while the
little frame shook with convulsive sobs.
'I-I-doan care" it gasped. "She
called me frowsy, and said l was
pauper." Again the little face was
buried in the ragged dress. and again
the sound of her name came on the
breeze.
This time she arose and dried her
eyes, with the firm resolve that 'she"
at least should not enjoy the traces of
recent sorrow, turning the tear-staiaed
face toward the homestead.
wal, ye lazy little shote. whar hev
We been? Hyer I've been a-yellin' my
self hoarse, and We out on the prairie
snivelin'."
But, marin, it was only for few
moments"
Bound gals, as is taken from a
workhouse, hez no right to SWIVEL"
''Oh! marin, Tommy and Martha were
so cross; and Martha struck me with a
stick when | said"
Talked back to my children, did We
we, vulnerable waif l took from
charity. Starved We right if she had
a beaten We black and blue. Now 60
'taters, and if | ketch We snivelin" or
calm my children names I'll wallop
We myself"
Out in the kitchen a stray sunbeam
shone through the open window, CLINT
ing the fr-owsy head that bent over a
pan of half-peeled potatoes; the shift
ing rays causing hecks of gold to
dance from the auburn locks, while an
occasional teardrop rolled down the
mobile features and fell with splash
into the pan of vegetables
Suddenly in at the open window
peered the face of girl about Sallie's
age. and voice said Thought ye'd
tell ma and get me licked, Ell? You
nasty old .sttletale!"
Martha. you know I'd not said
nothin' agin you for the world"
.'Yas, you did, too" shouted the irate
Martha II was at the door and heerd
We tell ma struck you. Nd after all
ez mother md hez done for q poor
house gal!''
Wal, why didn't yer let me stay in
the poorhouse? l wuz treated decent
there; and here IL druv around like
dog. Oh! | wish l wuz--' but before
the sentence could be finished the
kitchen door opened with bang, and
the angry face Of a woman appeared
~ heered We, Sallie Martin, abusin'
those ez he'd befriended We, and |
stood it jest ed long ez I'm a-goin' ter.
Ye Jest go upstairs, git yer shawl, nd
start for the poorhouse now"
Setting down the pan, Sallie mounted
the rickety ladder through a trap
door to the loft, and gathered her
earthly possessions, shawl and
locl1et-the only remembrance of a
mother which was brought from the
poorhouse, and which had been con-
cealed between the logs IN the garnet
One hasty glance around the humble
dwelling, which. despite the cruel
treatment she had received, was the
only place she could really call home
since mother died"
Tears filed her eyes as the thought
of the many days, after cruel words
and harsher blows. wherein she had
crept into this lonely corner. and, taking
her treasured lecket from its hiding
place, had whispered 20 that one dear
face all her girlish troubles Should
she go back 20 the poorhouse, or
should she wander away into that
great lirnitless horizon and find some
spot where she could earn money ard
DC rich lady?
she stood in the cabin door. the aft
ernoon sun gliding her auburn curls,
while Ia the distance among the vas;
expause of flowers and grass the chirp-
ing OF the crickets iuterniugiea with
the rustic of = passing bird
With great sob swelling in Ser
bosom. and last glance a. the ride
cottage. SalIic started forth down th.
p,.tn u the beaten track stretching
away into the great beyond
She had gone bat = little way waSr
bark What was that sound which
scat tha blood from b-- ~L--L@ 80