The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1893-09-02
At THE DOOR OF THE MISSION.
How Ono Of the Poor Outcasts wondered
at tho Young Lady Worker.

How Ono Of the Poor Outcasts wondered
at tho 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
ruin of what had once been 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
black horses drew mp very near to
where she stood, and tall, handsome
ly dressed young lady alighted ana
went into the mission room. The ruin
hv the lamp post smiled grimly and
shook her head
Edging little nearer to her re-
porter asked: 'Do you know that young
lady2"
She started, gave quick, searching
look and replied: "No, sir. That is, I
am not acquainted with her, II that II
what You you mean. But know who
she is; see her here every Sunday.
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 chuclsle
What makes you laugh and cry?"
80, to remember. Sir, you may not
believe me, but it is as true as preach
ing. Twas once rich and handsome
and light-hearted as that girl is now.
was proud, too; very proud That's
what makes me cry, sir, for I know
can never go back again. And laugh
when remember what little things
used to make me sad. fused sometimes
to think had great deal of trouble
in those days, but did not know what
trouble was then. have learned since
81 wonder, sometimes if that pretty
thing will ever learn what real sorrow
means. ] wonder if her heart will ever
be crushed 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
| who she believes to be part of her
very being, soul of her soul, light of
/ her life. I wonder if she will think he
is all that is pure and noble. generous
and unselfish, manly and brave. l
wonder if she will be deceived; if she
will learn, when it is everlastingly too
late, that he is base, ignoble, selfish
| coward. l wonder If he will leave her
| alone. and poor, a stranger in a strange
city: it she will ever wander. at mid
night, ill and homeless hungry cold
and forsaxen, up and down the streets
of Chicago with his child on her bosom;
! if she will look out over the dark
waters of Lake Michigan while her
whole frame trembles with an awful
temptation and thinks how easy it
would be to end her pain.
II wonder if she will ever look for
the last time on the face of her precious
baby, and it will be still and lifeless; if
she will kiss its lips and eyes and find
them cold, and then part forever from
the last thing she has on earth to love
and care for. l wonder if she will go
downward then, faster and faster, un-
til she reaches the bottomless pit of
the slums of this great city. And then,
sometimes, will 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 a door over which was a
sign reading: Ladies' entrance."-
1,t. Mil