St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-06-17

prettler cottage In the village, and I'm
sure there wasn't prettier little gal.
Everybody noticed her. ana tt g. Wears
lady 'ud have her up there, teaching her
all manner. and dressing her up in fashion,
able clothes and such like.
well. it was all meant very Kind; but II
set my gal longing to see a bit more of the
world, and there was nothing for ii but TO!
her to come out to service
She wrote to us pretty regular at first
but the last year or so the letters fell of,
and when sent to tell her her mother was
i'll it came back through the post all marked
across. saying as they couldn't find her.
I'd come and look myself.
Her last place as she wrote from was
here. but the lady had left and only got
at her to-day.
When find her she'll come back home
with me and settle down quiet Maybe
she didn't like to write, being out with her
missus Your little Polly is a deal like
her. Mrs. Bailey
The days were shorter now and colder,
with thick. choking fogs and driving sleet
that made his weary trudging about from
place to place more wearisome and difficult
than ever.
The little Baileys began to talk about
Christmas, and dreams of roast beef and
plum pudding. and the old man began to
doubt If he should spend Christmas Day at
home with his daughter.
On Christmas Eve he relinquished the
hope, but trusted he should find her before
the new year.
Mind you don't wear yourself out first"
answered Mrs. Bailey, "trapesing all over
the town after an ungrateful hussy as
ought to have let you know her where
abouts long ago. want to give yourself
bit OF rest and a change from walking the
streets all day. Me and Mrs. Parker next
door is going to c music hall on Boxing
Night, and you'd better come along. It'll
dc you no harm to have good laugh"
The music hall of Mrs. Bailey's choice
was one OF the usual sort to be found in
all great cities. There were jugglers and
low comedians and singing women of yari-
Gus degrees of ability, and the old man to
whom everything was very strange and
wonderful was certainly interested, if not
amused.
Nearly at the last a woman, evidently
a popular favorite. advanced to the foot
lights. She was a big. bold creature, with
mass of bright golden hair piled high
on her head, and she sung song which she
accompanied with dancing and gestures
which we're far from being modest.
Mrs. Bailey passed some disparaging re-
marks upon the performer, but the lodger
was not listening. His poor old face looked
older and whittier than ever, and he was
clutching the rail of the seat in front of
him.
Its the heat" remarked Mrs. Parker.
Get outside, mister, and have breath of
fresh air. It's nearly over now, and this
amt much to miss
Outside the air was frosty and the wind
blew keenly. but it brought no glow Of
color to his face.
The crowd of pleasure seekers poured
out of the doors and passed homeward, but
he still stood there. There was one exit
where light still burned, and he watched
that eagerly. A carriage waited there, and
two or three men in evening dress.
There was a movement amongst them,
and the old man recrossed the street and
stood close to the carriage door. A police.
man spoke to him, but he took no heed.
woman, cloaked and hooded, came out,
laughing loudly. Her foot was on the step
of the carriage before she saw the old man
standing in her path.
There was swift look of recognition,
trembling. eager voice saying. Come hoD
with me, my gal, come home"
Then a derisiye laugh, and when tn,
voice grew more persistent and a hand wa
stretched out to bar her progress, she gau
him an angry push.
The carriage drove on, and Mrs Bailey
ledger staggered to his feet and walked
uncertainty down the street It was late
when he got in. and when Mrs. Bailey saw
his face she asked no questions. The sup
per she put before him he ate mechanically
and did not speak until she gave him his
candle INTO his hands.
I'm going home tomorrow, Mrs. Bailey
he SAID. Eve found my gal. but she's not
ready yet, SO must go without her. Maybe
she'll come some time. If it won't dis
turb her. / should like to have a look at
your Polly being as this is the last night.
She's the same colored hair, you know, and
handy about the house like my gal was
one"
When they called him the next morning
he did not answer. and when they went
into his room he was still lying very
quietly, and did not wake when they spoke
to HIM. Mrs. Bailey's ledger had gone
home without his gal"