The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1896-06-30

lndlng employment. He did editing,
copying aud NIL sorts of general work
connected with books. But it had
been hard row to hoe. Now and
then he sold story. and once he even
disposed OF n little novelette,, but
these pieces Of good fortune were few
and far between.
After awhile he was entirely cut II
from his old circle of acquaintance.
His clothes grew shabby and he nc
copied and welcomed the lowliest and
humblost positions. During this last
three months of unspeakable misery
he had read proof, set type and,
several times, earned half dollar by
walking the streets sandwiched be.
tween two large dvertisements.
There was not soul in the world on
whom he had any claim, and he had
already Illuminated himself by asking
for work from those who knew him in
his better days. No, he must depend
entirely upon himself and his own
meager resources. Never before had he
been IN quite sucn hard luck
For an hour or more he lay there on
the bed. Then he remembered that
he had had nothing to eat since early
that morning, so he again descended
tho long lights of dusty wooden stairs
and soon changed his last 81 bill to
get sandwich and cup OF coffee.
There was no reason for returning to
the desoiate room, so he wandered
aimles'ly along the street, conscious
OF little except his ill-luck and miscr-
able feelings of hear sickness
Ills revcrie was undisturbed until he
heard the sound of voices, united in
singing an old Sunday-school hymn of
which he had not been reminded since
childhood.
Looking up to find the source ofthe
music, he saw that he was standing
before mission, one Of those chapels
that dot, with holiness and purity, the
streets of tho sinful slums. He had
nothing to do, no where to go, why
should he not enter the place?
Such wretcLed figures, such dissi-
patad forsalen faces as he looked upon
when he had passed through the rude
door and taking seat near one of the
aisles. The large room was we'll filed
with those unfortunate men whose
home is either the streets or the Work
House. Yet they were singing as best
they could. and werc-to all appear
auces-enjoying the ceremonies ofthe
mission.
On the platform was n small cabinet
organ, before which sat n young aud
slender woman. Several other women,
some IN the gray gowns OF charitable
organizations, were also there, help.
ing the good work of those worthy
people who labor among the lower
classes Tom Farrow could not see
the face of the girl ut the organ, but
there was something peculiarly familiar
about her pose and firure.
The music ceasing, man arose and
preached the lesson Of the evening. 1t
was strange, indeed, to watch the I'm.
cOuth hearers aud to note how eager-
ly they listened to every word that
the speaker uttered Here were men
n thousand times more wretched thnn
he, Tom thought, and, signing deeply,
he put his hand over his eyes and so
listened to what was being said His
head Gched fearfully, his lips seemed
dry, md the feelings in his heart were
akin to death itself.
The speaker ended his talk. the
singing began again and finally the
pitiIul congregation swarmed out into
tho street, but Tom Frrow did not
move. He was i'm n state OF semi-con-
sclousness that desired no awakening.
He felt gentle hand laid on his
arm.
"My good man., said n woman's
voice, "the service is finished aud we
arc about 10 put out the lights"
lie tried TO lift his head, but could
not. 1t was as heavy as lead. A faint
moan came from his pnrched lius. The
woman mt his side called FOR help. lie
felt himself being carried ont into the
open air, md then seemed to sink into
aleyerci, troubled dream.
He was lu "a strange place when he
awakened. Such very strange place
that be was utterly bpwldcrcd. It
reminded him of the dainty little don
on which younger sistcr-who WINS
now no more-hud slept. There wcro
photographs scattered about and
hcops of sIkcn and lacey things. the
uses Of which he was most woefullv
ignorant Tic turned his head what
o strange feeling he bad such n dizzy.
sichcuing sensation Io rniscd his
hand and looked ntlt. Surely those
were not his fingers such long, thin.
white hands belonged only to women
aud inyaIijs Ho felt oil his face; his
checks were sun6eu and his features
seemed strangely sharp and thin.
what % lucky dog am," he
muscl, TO fell into sucn good hands.
can fancy what u pleasant time
would have had had bcou taken I'M
alone in that barn Of u room on the
third floor.
For some timo he wondered where
he had been when the sickness came
on him, and after awhile he rccolloct-
ed tho mission, with ITS bleary eyed
congregation and enthusiastic leaders.
Hc even thought Of the slender little
figure ct the organ and wondered