The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1898-12-13

boy in French, and not one of those
VINO mad known her in earlier DAYS
would nave recognized Marjorie An
nan. Yet it was Marjorie-a starving
woman looking at her starving child.
Two months had passed since she
mad left Caussidiere. and ever since
that day her troubles had increased
Until now there seemed nothing left
10 her but to beg or starve.
IL was now broad daylight and troops
OF Workingmen were passing along to
lnelr days labor, women were passing
along with heavy burdens, pretty
seamstresses tripping along to the
shops where they served all day; and
IN the open road stream of country
carts, laden with produce, was flowing
IN from the town gate.
No one noticed Marjorie, those who
did glance at her seeing nothing to dis
tlngulsh her from the other waits to
be found in all large cities. But pres
emily she saw coming toward her a
burly figure, carrying on it's shoulders
piece of wood, from which depended
two heavy cans. It was the figure of
a woman, though one of man-like
strength, who, to complete the mascu-
line appearance sported black NOUS
tache and 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, striding 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
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 DEVIL" cried the
woman. do you mean it,"
AS she spoke she stopped down,
freed herself CT her load, and rested
her cans upon the ground; then, open
ing one of them, she took out tin
vessel brimful of milk
GCoa Laro ic 1,oiIlr IF tho 0ouyf T of
the little one drink"
Eagerly and gratefully Marjorie took
the vessel and held it 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 areH
"Good-the devil! I 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 l have been in Paris long time.
''Where do you live, eh?''
81 have no home, and no money"
"And no friends? The devil!''
''Not one"
"And what are you going to do?"
81 do not know. 1t is a long time
since we have tasted food. 7"
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 1 have, but it will buy something
for the child. After that, 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 understands
eyes. 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, if
you are English, you will go to the
British Embassy and ask them for as
sistance.
eyes, madame" answered Marjorie,
adv