Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-01-30

NpN1, SHE Illdtt al IdlSIr Soh'i"~s
bundle Of all the most valuable portion
of her personal effects; then she put
up a small parcel containing only Il
single change of clothing. And then
she looked into her purse, that con-
tanned Just half a crown, which had
been slipped into her hand by Eudora,
and accepted as a loan, to be repaid At
some future day.
Lastly. she hay down upon the bed
to rest while waiting for the dawn oil
day to commence her journey. she
did not expect. or even wish, TO sleep;
vet scarcely had her head sunk upon
her pillow when Ler fatigue oyercame
her excitement and cast her into a
deep sleep that lasted until morning,
Day was dawning when she awoke
with q start and a sudden recollection
of her purpose.
She sprang from her bed and com
menced cautious but hasty prepara-
lions for her flight.
When quite ready. she took her bun
dies in her arms and silently descend
ed the stairs until she reached the nar-
row entrance hall. She softly glided
along this hall until she reached the
front door. She unlocked the door.
passed through it, closed IL behind
her. and went forth alone into the
world.
The street was, at this hour. more
deserted. still and silent than ut any
other time of the day or night. The
latest wayfarers had long since re-
tired, and the earliest were not yet
astir. The rows Of houses on each
side the street presented long. dark
lines of unbroken gloom and quietness.
For a moment Amelia stood before
the door she was about to leave, and
looked up and down the street in per-
pleXity where to first direct her steps.
Then she turned up the street and
walked briskly in the direction of the
city.
1t was growing quite light. so that
by the time she reached London
Bridge the sun was rising and throw
ing a fleece Of golden glory over the
waters of the river.
She crossed the bridge and hurried
onward up King William street until
she reached the shop of Il Jewish deal
err in second hand clothing.
She entered this shop, united her
large bundle, displayed its contents on
the counter, anu nlhllfu VI biit dC"-
eSs in attendance:
What will you give for thCSc?"
How mush do you wantSh|' asked
the woman.
/ think they are worth three
pounds, but you may have them for
two" replied Amelia. hcaitatingly.
Two poundsh. You are jokinsh,"
said the Jewess, turning the half-worn
dresses over in disdain.
What will you give me for them.
them inquired Amelia. impatientty.
Five ShillingSh for the lOtsh."
THAT will not do" replied Amelia,
beginning to tie up her bundle.
'StOpsh, stOpSh, letsh talk "a little
more said the woman, OBTAINING her
customer.
Amelia paused, and a little more
bargaining cnsued. in which. as n
matter of course, Amelia was cheat
ed. Impatient to be off. 81 closed
the sale. dispensing OF her waruroh" Tor
the sun of ten shiiiings. and left the
house.
Keeping nearly due south. she
Waikca on until III duc cours eOf time
she reached the Kings Cross hallway
station.
Ii was now y o'clock.
She entered the ticket office and
asked when the next train would
start. She was told at ten minutes
past the hour. This gave her just
time enough to get a cup of coffee and
Il bun at the pastry-coOk's stall, opp0-
site the office.
When she had partaken of this re-
freshment that her long walk had
made so necessary. she went up to the
third-class ticket window. laid her
half sovereign upon the ledge, and ill.,
quired of the clerk:
How far on this line will this mon
ey take me-"
Instead of answering her question
the clerk regarded her with such Il
look Of suspicion that she FASTENED To
say:
Il have just lost my father. and
have no relations here In London. |
wish to go north. where i have Il
friend. | have only twelve shillings
and six pence, and l wish to save half
a-crown TO buy food. and TO 20 as far
as half-a-SOvereign win carry me on
my way; after that | must walk"
There were other passengers throng-
ing To the window to be accommodated
and so the clerk hastily drew in the
half~-sovcreign and pushed out a ticket.
which she seized as she left the win
dow. and joined the crowd that was
hurrying towards the third class car
riages. She had just taken her seat
when the train started.
1t WIS the first train. and thus II
happened that at the very moment in
which good Mrs. Corder discovered
the absence OF her favorite, Amelia
was fully forty miles from London.
flying northward ut the rate Of forty
miles an hour.
As the train rushed onward the wild
girls spirits rose
1t was n beautiful day in spring;
the Garth wore its tenderest and fresh
est green; the sky its softest and clear
est blue; and the sun shone out like
h e smile Of God over all nature.
Amelia was alone in the world: she
had just buried her father, and had
not q reliable friend left upon earth:
she had hut one change of clothing In
her parcel, and one-half crown in her
purse: she knew not exactly where
she was going: where she should eat
her next meal, or take her next nights
rest.
And yet, in a state Of poverty. friend
lessness and uncertainty that must
have crushed the spirit of any grown
up nan or woman subjected tn The