The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-10-04
From tho Household Words.

Yen be good to the BARN. 'Liza!"
The woman who was seated at the end
OF the deal table drinking tea out OF a
cracked china cup. gave an inpatient
shruR OF her buXom shoulders
Why shouldn't l ba kind TO herr"
she said. But any one would think it
would De your wife you'd To rather think
Ing OF just now as Is your own flesh and
blood-for it says SO in Scripture-than
Maggie It's al ways been the same--hsr
first, and mo nowhere; and L solemnly
believe. Samuel Davidson. as how you
married me for nothing else than TO get
u nurse fer her. +"
Sne spoke IL tones of petulant aggrava-
tion, rather discordant at that moment
and her glance fell rather disdainfully on
child seated on tho rag carpet in front
OF the IRE, pale stunted little creature.
who looked much younger than her years
and whose thin. soft. flaxen hair fell over
deformed shoulders Scarcely conscious Of
what was going on--for she was partially
deaf. and the development of her intel
lIgence had been retarded and circum-
cised by her inirmities-she was solamu-
ly happy with her little wooden coil aud
handful OF many colorod rags. Her
fathers eyes rested on her with wistiul
yearning. He hardly needed his wife's
complaint in which there was more than
q shadow OF truth. no idolized the little
afflicted creature. not only for her own
sake, but for the faint and ileeting resen-
blaEce he traced I'm her to his first love.
the delicate girl who had died in adding
this life To tho world. He had met has
second consort at country picnic of thc
church, and he had been attracted to her
by some kind words she has spoken-Dot
without arriere ponsee-to little Maggie.
Samuel was struggling on then with "a
Grabbed old woman, whom Maggie hatei.
as housekeeper and he rushed into an
other matrimonial arrangement, perhaps.
without sufficient consideration. Stlll,
things had gone pretty we'll so far Liza
had not exhibited the effusive affection of
prenuptial days TO the child; but she was
shrewd enough to- know that the smallest
unkindness would not be tolerated..
You We been good To her, 3" said Samuel
slowly. But when I'm away. It's like
enough somebody will be wanting YOU
and they mightn't be so kind TO tne wee
weDch. Promise me, Liza. promise. that
you see her right done to-then III die
satisfied. "
His wife arose to clear away the things
and she stood with her back to him, look.
ing out of the window she had been
vaguely feeling herself Ill used by Provi-
dence. She knew on the other hand. that |
she would have something To start with !
she Was sure that Samuel had savings
ana there was insurance moDey-for ali |
three were entered on the books Of big |
society. She thought over this quite |
}hlhil, uuN IL TtCOuClltu DcT 10 Dtr IOSl- |
tion. Sho had gono on To speoulating |
whether 10 would be- worth while to bny |
black dress. or whether her Sunday !
.own would do with little renovation, |
when Sanuel's weak. painting voice broke /
u again.
You'll promise. lass'" he said plead
sgly.
She advanced to the bod.
III It's any satisfaction 10 YOU, l
Tomiso. right enough she said. There's |
hand on it. ="
Davidson grasped 1t eagerly in his
fanny palm. There was a finger miss
ing on his own. the third finger, blown
of by gun accident, and showing a
ugly gap with stump in it.
" That's right; that's right" he said,
with sigh of relief. She get stronger,
may be, as she grows up"
Its we'll shes not left oil alone, " said
Liza tentatively. She'll mover lie fit 10
make her living"
IL ha' done what could for We BOTH"
said Davidson. There's the Insurance
you'll get all that-it goes TO tho sur
vivor. And there's 100 pounds. The
minister has the bonds. Forty fer you;
sixty for the little lassie. lie knows.
You give me just forty out of itn'
said Liza in shril anger. That's not
fair play should have 1t oil. I'll have
TO keep her..
you'll get the insurance" urgod
Davidson. Then there's the housa AMI
the furniture. It's good; Maggies
mother and put our savings together TO
get Tits all coed. You'll not be so i'll
left; let the little lass have her share.
What's she to do with the like
If she grows mp stronger she NAV
want IL TO start little shop, or something
of the ike; she'll never 10 tt for hard
work. You'll get tho benefit or IL ttor.
But IL 10 pl ases him otherwise, or If you
were taken from her too, the money with
the interest-four and balf-will |
maybe, help her into home or some
thing"
II should ha' had It all! " said his wife
sullenly.
lit would not be fair TO take all from
her, 'inoanod Davidson. Don't Le grudge
her Ii, Liza.
"Pshaw - sasl his wife,
She went and sat down by tho fire. Tho
cleaning died outside in cold puppies ana
Rrhys, and the child slept where sho lay
on the rug. Liza grew drowsy. too. and
Tor Samuel the thoroughly anxleties Of
The hour merged ty degrees into stupOr,
md then into dreamless sleep.
In tho morning birds shrill so: z
|