Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1897-11-04

De IOund IN all large ClLleS. but pres
emily she saw coming toward her a
burly figure, carrying on its shoulders
a piece of wood, from which depended
two heavy cans. 1t was the figure of
a woman, though one Of man-like
strength, who, to complete the mascu-
line appearance sported black nous
tache and a whisker-like down on eth
er cheek.
The woman was singing in a deep
mans voice. She was about to pass
by when she was attracted, by little
Leon.
"a thousand devils!" she muttered
to herself; then, stridlng toward the
bench, she demanded. What's the
matter? Is the child ill?"
Marjorie looked up and met the
CLEAN of two great black eyes, bold
but kindly. She could not speak, but
turning her head aside, sobbed again.
Poor little mother" grOwled the
stranger to herself "she is almost a
child herself. Look up! Speak to
me! What are you doing here?"
The tone was so gentle and sympa-
thetic, though the voice and address
were rough, that Marjorie cried in de-
SPAR from the bottom Of her heart:
ooh, madame, we have been here all
night, and my little boy is starving!"
"StarVing-the DEVIL" cried the
woman. do you mean it,"
AS she spoke she stopped down,
freed herself Of her load, and rested
her cans upon the ground; then, open
ing one of them, she took out tin
vessel brimful of milk.
"See here-it is milk Of the cow! Let
the little one drink"
Eagerly and gratefully Marjorie took
the vessel and held 1t with trembling
hand to the child's lips; he drank it
thirstily, every drop.
"Bravow cried the stranger, filling
the can again. Encore! Another, lit
tie man.
And little Leon drank eagerly again,
God bless you, madame!' said Mar
jorie. How good you arew
"Good-the devil! 1 am Mother
Jeanne, and 1 have had little ones OF
my own. Now, it is your turn, little
woman"
Thus urged, Marjorie drank, too
Mother Jeanne watched her with grim
compassion.
"You are too frail to be out in this
weather. Who are you? You are not
a Frenchwoman, by your tongue"
mo, madame. came from Scotland
but have been in Paris long time.
Where do you live, eh?"
81 have no home, and no money"
"And no friends? The DEVIL"
mot one."
"And what are you going to do?"
81 do not know. 1t is a long time
since we have tasted food. I"
Marjorie sank back, and would have
fallen had not the womans strong arm
supported her
bad, very bad!" growled Mother
Jeanne. See, here are two sous; it i!
all have, but it will buy something
for the child. After that, will tel
you what to do. Out yonder, close tt
the Madeleine, they will distribut,
bread to the poor of the arrondisse
ment at 10 o'clock You will go ther,
and take your place with the rest
they must help you--they cannot re
fuse. DO you understand"
"Yes, madame, I will CO."
That's right" said Mother Jeanne
patting her on the shoulder. "And af
ter that, let me see-yes, after that,
you are English, you will go to tn
British Embassy and ask them for as
sistance."
Eyes, madame" answered Marjorie
sadly.
Courage. The little one is bette
already. He will be all right by an
by. But | cannot linger, little woman
My customers are waiting, and I hav
vet to prepare the milk for the mar
ket. You will go to the distribution q
bread, will you not? Any one wi
show you the place"
Marjorie promised, clinging, as sh
did so, to the good creature and CRATE
fully kissing her hard hands. Mothe
, Jeanne was touched. She brushe
away tear with the back of her hanC
and uttered another sympathetic in
precatlon.
"And if all else fails you" she criet
| come to me, Mother Jeanne, at tn
: Dairy, Rue de Caporal. l am poo
r look you, but l would not let yO
starve. Remember, Mother Jeanne
Mother Mustache they call me somt
times-13 Rue de Caporal."
' And with rough nod the good so,
9 shouldered her cans and strobe alon
1 Marjorie watched her till she fade
Q out Of sight; then, refreshed an
g strengthened by the healthful draugl
8 she took little Leon by the Nand an
: walked away toward the crowde
& streets.
CHAPTER XXI.
BOLT the var