Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1894-08-24

but what can fellow do when no
one will help him and everybody
is dead set against himf" was the
dogged answer. "When you are
once down In the mire It's hard
work to climb, especially when
there's no one but stands ready to
kick back in again, instead of lend
ing a helping hand.'
But l am ready to help yOu."
"YOurs, miss, are the first en-.
couraglng words l have heard in
many day, and they sound plea
SAINT to the ear; yet what could
you dO?" The speaker having fiolsh-
ed his supper, sat the bowl down
on the steps, and leaning back
against the door sill as if 10th to
go, began to fan himself slowly
with his hat.
81 would do all / could for any
one who wanted to do better"
"Tbere's a town in the East
where l could get work and help
bat It's 1900 miles away, and L
have no money with which to pay
my fare," and he paused and
looked wistfuliy at the railroad
which was through the neigh
boring field. "If l could get there
but what's the use of talking
about what cau'C be dOneW
"How much wou d you need 10,
reach tbs place You SPEAK OFF,
"Twenty dollars wOnid do it,
but that, to man who cart
muster ten cents is a fOGtane."
He ceased speaking, for a ice
had disappeared, and thrOCg Cgh the
half.open door Of the hal he heard
the rustling of garments and tie
C ick of tiny boOt.heels as she ran
up the stairs. \ moment lattr
she returned, ald again sat upon
the doorstep, holding III her hand
a small p0ckteboOk, At tn
sight OF this the young man brIke
out earnestly:
"Really, miss, | did not think
that you would pay heed to what
l said, 1t was all Idle talk; 50
please forget it,"
"Oh, no, 1t wasn't. Besides, I
like your appearance and want
ever so much to help you dO better.
Here are three teD.dOllar gold
pieces; they will take you where
You went to 60, and you can pay
them back if you want TO when you
are able. Now please take them,
for don't need them. And prom
Use ne, too, that you Will try and
do better"
The tramp blushed deeply, recoil-
ed for a moment sbefJre the out
stretched hand of the girl, while
look OF pain ctme over his face;
but at last he said:
"I will take what you offer me
on certain conditions. YOa must
give me our address. l know you
don't live here, and accept my word
Of honor, it may be wcrth some.
thing, even if it is tramp's, that
the loan shall be paid with the first
money l earn.''
The glrl drew out a blank card,
and hastily scribbling few words,
thrust it with the gold pieces into
the reluctant hand of the stranger.
"There, take them, and do the best
you eau"
"Alice Len cant, 126 Madison
avenue, Topeka, Kansas! That's a
pretty name, and we'll becomes the
one who wears 1t. II ever marry
I want to marry jnst such noble
Ii tie woman AZ you are?"
"YOu are mistaken, for / am not
the least hit noble; but perhaps you
may yet marry such woman as
you think me t. Ue," replied Alice
with forced laugh. "NOw don't
talk any more about such funny
things, bat promise me you won't
touch llquOr again, and that you
will try your best to reform; and
then you must hasten or you Will
miss the Eastern train, which is
due at the station at seven o'clock" ."
81 will promise yOu," was the
low but determined reply.
The girl had now arisen and was
waiting for her guest, who arose
and stood beside her, TO take his
leave. Drawing a band of gold
from his little finger, he sad:
'Miss-Miss Laneant, l have a
faSor to ask of you; will you wear
this ring till | come for itW
She made no answer, but silently
held out her hand 10 receive the
ring. The tramp had caught sight
of rosebud at her throat, aud now
asked:
"WIll you please give mo tina:
as a parting glItF"
She tore the flower from itS