St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-06-17
How He Went Home.
By CHARLES ALLERToN.

Mrs. Bailey was washing-and washing,
too, in vigorous and wholesome manner,
with skirts and sleeves turned up. and
face Redeemed by steam and splashed with
lather.
She had many reasons for this energy
seven at least-two of which, or, let us say,
turned basket, engaged with clay pipes
and bowl of soapy water.
The rusty black of Mrs. Bailey's gown
and the black ribbons which futtered from
the baby suggested that the family had re-
recently suffered bereavement of a near
relative, which, indeed, was the case.
From a domestic point Of view, the late
Mr.. Bailey had not been complete sue
cess. The period allotted in higher walks
of life to the honeymoon had scarcely waned
when the wife arrived at the just conclu-
sion that she had picked up a broken reed,
and was herself the better man Of the two.
Anyway, he had gone through life in
slipshod, aimless manner, and passed out
of it without leaving any footprints in the
sands of time, unless reputation for skit-
ties and an unpaid slate at the Grosvenor
Arms could be so designated.
But he was gone now, and Mrs. Bailey
had one mouth less to feed and room. too,
for a ledger.
And Mrs. Bailey was not disposed to sub
NIT to vacillation when not matrimonia1ly
compelled, so her dodgers had had the door
hastily shown them directly they displayed
the least Sinking Of pay day or the slight
est tendency to disreputable habits.
Hence the number of the occupants of her
I,I
weeks OF her widowhood, and this after
noon her window displayed once more the
legend lodgings for respectable man."
It was nearly tea time, and Mrs. Bailey,
satisfied that she and the August sun had
done more than usual In the way of wiring
ing and drying, unpinned her skirts, soused
her hot face under the tap and proceeded
indoors TO inquire into the condition of the
kettle.
In less than ten minutes the young Bal
leys were likewise soused and seated, each
with his or her piece of bread and butter
and mug of liquid Of a questionable strength
and flavor.
In the midst Of this meal there came
gentle tap at the half open door, and in re-
Spouse to Mrs. Bailey's Come in" an old
man entered. A clean. old-fashioned look
ing old man he was, with an unmistakable
air Of the country about him.
'tYou have lodging to let, ma'am?" he
said. courteously. putting his hand to his
broad brimmed hat.
81 have" said Mrs. Bailey, land If It's
rough and ready it's clean, which is saying
a good deal in these parts, can tell You.
Polly, put that gentleman chair. You see
was country-bred myself, and the dirt up
sets me, SO do my best to keep clean any
way, and put up with the smoke and smuts
outside as best 7 can"
i he old man looked round and was evil
IDENTIFY well pleased. s.
you've known trouble. see." he said.
alphabetically glancing at Mrs. Bailey's
elaborate memorial over the manteipiece.
''Well, I've had husband and lost him."
said the widow; "but as to knowing trouble,
I think knew more when had him than
when lost him.
"Not that you've any cause to speak
against him"-suddenly recollecting the
fitness of things-"he was good father to
you. and never let me hear you say he
wasn't. Now go and play in the yard"
A simple, kindly old fellow he turned out
to say to anybody, unless it might be to
Polly. She was a handy little maiden, and
there seemed something strangely attrac-
tive about her sunny hair and bright rosy
face to him.
Neither was Mrs. Bailey moved to sufi-
cient curiosity to inquire into his pursuits
SO long as his payments were regular. but
one night, coming in later than usual, more
than ever worn out. the old man took her
into his confidence.
81 daresay you wonder where go, Mrs.
Bailey" he said, land being as you are so
kind to me in other ways. perhaps you'd
help me out bit If told you all about it.
It's taken me longer than I thought for
what I'm doing. but then it's big town.
The fact is. ma'am. I've lost my daughter,
leastaways. I'm not quite sure where she
Is. and I'm looking for her.
"You see." went on the old man, ''being
country people born and bred. me and my
girls mother lived very quiet, though we
had nice. tidy home. too. and a bit @.
money laid BY. don't suppose there was