Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1895-09-18

10 Mrs Petit; vet, Notwithstanding
| her bewilderment, she faithfully fol-
lowed the guiding carpetsack, hurry
| ing onward in its wake, until they
| were we'll out on the streets and she
was quite breathless with the brisk
walk.
| Then, rs the carpetsack shiftet5 its
| position for a moment to the pave
ment, and its owner turned to mop
his brow, Mrs. Petit saw, to her utter
dismay, that, while his hair was gray,
and from the back he presented an ap-
pearance not unlike that of Ephraim,
this man she had been religiously fol-
| loving was, in fact, en- utter stranger,
and that she herself, Mrs. Petit, was
lost!
] Quite unconscious OF the mischief
| he had wrought, the stranger shortly
| resumed his carpetbag and his pace
together, and joined the great merry
go-lound of people; while the old lady,
like bit of fotsam stayed for q mo.
ment in its course, clinging helplessly
to the brown basket, stood looking
about in bewilderment, while people
whirled and eddied and. divided about
her,
fI guess yer lost, amt you?" said a
big, kindly voice at her side.
Mrs. Petit smiled into the honest
face of the man, who wore blue suit
with brass buttons, and star upon
his breast.
'.I don't know" she said, little
TREMENDOUSLY, "but perhaps am; that
is, if you don't know where my son,
John Petit, lives"
"Pettit-John Petit. don't seem
to place him just now, said the police
man, placiae his hand upon his chin,
in q thoughtful and reassuring man
ner. "You don't happen to know his
street or number, now?"
ssNo," said the old lady; "Ephraim
always directs his letters, and he has
his address on card in his pocket.
But I know they've put a new wing to
the house lately, and it's painted
brown and has bow windows"
Tho old lady waited anxiously,
| while the officer In the kindness of his
heart appeared to ruminate deeply.
'tI don't seem to remember such a
place." he said presently; ''but we
ceu find 1t. If you'll Just step down
to the station with melt amt far
who're lost people stay, Pll ring up
the central police"
Mrs. Petit relinquished the brown
basket into Officer Mellen's hands,
and walked cheerIully along by his
side. 81 hope your family are all
well," she said, politely.
"Well, tol'rable, thank'ee," " said the
officer, with rather new sensation.
HtThs baby worries some O. nights.
She's only two months old, you know,
and colicky like"
"Well, now, I'm SO glad I brought
it" said Mrs. Petit, reaching for the
basket. ":5uch big bunch of catnip,
too, just in the bloom; twice as much
as Johns baby will need. It's sure
relief for collie. And here's some
young verbena plants I dug this
morning with plenty of earth around
them. Maybe your wife would like
them"
Thereupon paper bag and paste
boar box changed hands.
81 thank'ee kindly, ma'am," said
the policeman, touching his cap.
"The catnip we get at the drugstore
amt much better than dust, and my
wife ain't owned flower since she's
been married" In his secret mind
he was wondering where he could get
enough dirt to fill flower pot to
plant them in.
The Detention Station was a large,
high-ceiled room, with rows OF long,
hard benches along its walls, little
window behind which sal man ut
desk, and numberless policemen pass
ing in and out. some accompanied,
some alone. The man at the desk
gave to each newcomer brought in,
check bearing a number, and made a
corresponding entry in large book.
Mrs. Petit found herself suddenly 5S.
"You'll be called for" said Officer
Mellen, touching his hat; "ard it's
much obliged am for your kindness,
ma'am." To himself he added as he
turned away: "It's shame for the
likes OF her to be put in this place."
There were dozens of people seated
on the benches-men, women and
children-some with heads bowed in
detection, misery, sickness or despair.
others upright and defiant. many
grown old in ways of sin, others but
beginning to taste Of temptation.
Into this company Mrs. Petit walked,
with her dear old face and guileless
eyes.
"Such lot of people lostl" she
thought in wonder. otis q mercy if
they all find their friends before
night.
She touched man upon the arm
who sat huddled up beside her. care
you sick?" she inquired, anxiously.
The man raised Redeemed, bloated
faced, and gazed unsteadily at her,
eyes," he said huskily, ''sick of life.
A mist gathered in the old lady's
eyes. "I was once SO, too," she said,
sympathetically, :'when my Eleanor
was taken; but with the Lords help
Pm living it down. Maybe some.
body's dead belonging to you"
'I'm dead to them," said the man,
bitterly, sinking into his old position.
Mrs. Petit was mystiied; but this
was plainly a trouble that catnip can.
not reach-a trouble OF the heart.
M'm sorry for you," she said,
quaveringly, laying her quantity
gloved hand upon his arm; "but
whatever your trouble is, with the
Lords help you can live it down."
'102," said all officer, touching the