The Dickinson press., 1896-01-04
LONG YEARS

oSAs.J NV sASSu u uoPpys AuASp suAOIk
Gus life. In the steerage-neaven have
mercy!-how they suffered.
Millicent May shivered when she
thought OF it and wondered why such
things should be-why some were 90
rich and some 30 poor.
But one girl, though she was q rich
one, had little in her power in that
destitute waste of waters. Still, that
little Millicent did.
In vain her friends demonstrated.
Millicent had her way. Once q day, at
least, she penetrated into the inferno
below the comparative paradise Of her
own domain and fed those poor,
parched lips with her dainties.
And when, with land in sight, the
little heiress emptied her purse into
the dark hand of q penniless steerage
passenger and made her, for a mo-
ment, rich and full Of hope, she turned
toward her eldest boy.
"Never forget to pray to the Madon-
~ for this beautiful signoria," she
cried. "Remember, 1t is all you can
do, and my curse upon you IL you for
get it,"
She had given the woman her ad.
dress. but the poor creature did not
come to her. What fate befel her MIL
licent never knew. and III time the
memory Of those classical faces, gaunt
and meagre from starvation, ceased to
haunt her.
John Blair had met her and looked
into her eyes. and touched her hand.
had uttered those subtle compliments
that win a wOman's heart SO easily.
and though he was neither rich nor
great. he was the one man to her.
Six months from the day OF their
meeting John and Milliccnt were mar
ricd. and Il happier pair would have
been hard to find.
Only in one thing did Millicent prove
herself notwithstanding could tempt
her to an c a voyage. A tour In
Europe was Johns anticipated pleas
ure, but her experience in crossing the
ocean had made her averse to Its repe-
titiOn.
SO John, who had no wish to 60
alone, left the matter to the care Of
time. At last a boy, almost as tall as
himself, called Millicent mother, and
the nursery was musical with little
voices.
Then, older and more willing than
ever TO do anything to make John hap
py, Milliccnt agreed to the European
trip, and the married lovers took their
places in q great ocean palace and left
land behind them.
They found themselves in Naples.
and ready ,one bright morning to do
what all visitors to Naples most desire
to %do-namely. ascend Mount Vesu-
vius.
Millicent forgot her unpleasant sens
alton when. standing near the crater,
her husbands arm about her waist,
she turned and looked upon the beau
tiful country below.
John. CHANGING at his watch. counted
the time that lay between them and
their inn, and they began their de-
scent.
The guide paused and uttered q cry.
Before them, risen, rs it seemed, from
the very ground, stood n group of men,
who. without further parley, surround
ed them, and selling the brides Of
their horses and tying the hands Of
the trembling guide behind him, led
them away Over the rough mountain
roads in silence.
John Blair al no coward, but to en-
deavor to resist such a force would
have been sheer folly in q single man.
Booty. as lie reflected, was probably
their object, and his wife's safety was
his first thought. Holding her hand In
his. he comf0rted her as we'll as pos
sible, and finally. with a sinking heart,
obeyed the orders Of n who seemed
to be the captain, and dismounted at
the entrance of an old ruin, into which
they We're forced to enter.
Then the guide fell to wringing his
hands and weeping and imploring tho
lady and gentleman to pay whatever
ansom was required.
ut is always a heavy one for Amer
%icans," he cried, and If you refuse,
your ears will be cut of or you will be
murdered outright. AS for me, I ex-
pect death. Some of these men are
my enemies. l shot one Of the band
once"
The last rays Of the setting sun
faded from the narrow window, and
darkness fell upon the room. Then
they heard the sound of returning feet,
and presently the unfastening of q
door.
~ figure entered. and. going to tho
fire. which had nearly smouldered out,
flung upon it some dry wood, which
kindled into a blaze, and by its fame
lit two torches which were thrust into
sconces in the wall.
By this light they saw that 1t was q
woman, who seemed to have brought
some food for them upon a sort Of
wooden tray. She was old. and gaunt
and bent, but her features had q
strange beauty about them, neverthe-
less, and awakened in Millicent's
mind a memory too vague and inde6-
nite for words.
In another moment the truth flashed
upon her, as the woman knelt down to
deposit the tray upon the floor. She
uttered q little cry, q shriller one re.
sponded to it, and the gaunt creature
lay PROSTATE before her, kissing her
garments.
at is the signora". she cried. And
Millicent knew the Italian woman of
the steerage.
Then it is thus that Giacomo returns
q benefit" cried the woman. my
m%alediction upon him! But he did not
know you-he did not remember, as !
do. Wait. You are safe"
In another moment he was there,
and Millicent knew that they were
safe. Bad rs he must have been to
have been a bandit and an outlaw
this Italian had retained his gratitude
He fed them with the best he had t.
give. and led them safely from hil
Businesses to a spot where the lighti
from the city of Naples seemed t
smile a welcome to them.
Then he babe them adieu, and tn,
guide, overwhelmed with astonish
ment, conducted them back to theil
tnn.-New York News:
Perhaps Twas Needed.
Tell him to clean your boots, john
and mine, too"
"All right. Er-Garcong, nettoye.
may bot, 81 o play-et ausee NAL
fem!"-London Punch.
Big Car Ferry.
Milwaukee, Dec. 31.-Supt. Martin
80 AI,o INlS-L o n~~- IL.