Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-12-17

|
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
woman, though one of man-like
strength, who, to complete the mascu-
line appearance sported a black NOUS
tache and whisker-like down on eth
err cheek.
The woman was singing in deep
mans voice. She was about to pass
| by when she was attracted by little
Leon.
"a thousand devils!" she muttered
to herself; then, striding toward the
| bench, she demanded. whats 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-
spair 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 a 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.
"Bravo! 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 are!'
"Good-the devil! l am Mother
jeanne and I 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
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 long time
since we have tasted food. /"
Marjorie sank back, and would have
fallen had not the woman's strong arm
supported her
bad, very bad" growled Mother
Jeanne See, here are two sous; it is
all l have, but it will buy something
for the child. After that, l will tell
you what to do. Out yonder, close to
the Madeleine, they will distribute
bread to the poor of the arrondisse-
ment at 10 o'clock. You will go there
and take your place with the rest;
they must help you-they cannot re-
fuse. Do you understand"
Eyes, madame, l will 60"
That's right" said Mother Jeanne,
patting her on the shoulder. "And af-
ter that let me see-yes, after that, if
you are English, you will go to the
British Embassy and ask them for as
sistance."
Eyes, madame" answered Marjorie,
sadly.
Courage. The little one is better
already. He will be all right by and
by. But cannot linger, little woman
My customers are waiting, and l have
vet to prepare the milk for the mar
ket You will go to the distribution of
bread, will you not? Any one will
show you the place"
Marjorie promised, clinging, as she
did So to the good creature and CRATE
fully kissing her hard hands. Mother
Jeanne was touched. She brushed
away tear with the back of her hand,
and uttered another sympathetic i'm
precation
"And if all else fails you," she cried,
come to me, Mother Jeanne, at the
Dairy, Rue de Caporal. l am poor,
look you, but l would not let you
starve Remember, Mother jeanne
Mother Mustache they call me some
times-13 Rue de Caporal."
And with a rough nod the good soul
shouldered her cans and strobe along.
Marjorie watched her till she faded
out of sight; then, refreshed and
strengthened by the healthful draught
she took little Leon by the hand and
walked away toward the crowded
streets.
CHAPTER XXXII.
~1 BOUT the yery