The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1898-09-16
! MOLLY'S JAIL BIRD !
Q BY MAY BELLEViLLE BROWN. /


MOLLY sat by her kitchen window
lvA and sang a low, CHEEKY little
song. Not that she had much cause
for cheerfulness save the possession
of a clear conscience, but so long as
she had that the little woman could
not help being cheerful.
She was maid-of-all-work, nurse,
plain seamstress, butler, laundress
and general factotum in the family of
James B. Revell, or, as 1t was written
on her mistress cards, ]. Barnett Re-
veil. Her position was not sinecure,
for in each of her offices the best work
was expected of her, few liberties were
given her, and her weekly stipend was
no greater than that given In houses
where the same work was divided
among three or four. But Molly was
an orphan, unsophisticated and easily
imposed upon, and, besides, livid red
mark lay across her right cheek, rem
dering her seH-conscious and willing
to hide herself anywhere.
When she looked in her mirror she
did not see that her eyes were pleas
ont blue, that her lips were full and
rosy, that her light brown hair waved
prettily back from a broad forehead
she only saw the angry-looking
brand burning on her cheek, and felt
that she could not bear strange eyes.
Further, Molly was faithful, and when
Mrs. Revell, somewhat pompously,
dwelt on her own goodness in befriend-
ing Molly, and the excellent home and
girl felt gratitude that displayed it.
self in yet more faithful and willing
servitude, not stopping to properly
weigh the so-called advantages"
The Revells lived on the street that
was the very borderland of social
eligibility in Veneering. The next
street east, and Mrs. Revell might have
struggled in vain for recognition.
Then it would have profited her moth
ing to divide her husbands name in the
middle on her visiting cards. The next
street west, and Mrs. Revell would
have found the struggle vastly easier
than it had been.
So when Molly sat singing by the
kitchen window, she saw, across the
neat back yard and high board fence,
sandwiched between a great corn-crib
and blacksmith shop, the brick walls
of the city jail-called the "calaboose"
by the youngsters about town. It was
grim, one-story affair, with barred
windows, and had been an eyesore to
Molly ever since she first sawit. Some
times it's prisoners were hilarious, and
their shouts and ribald songs made her
shudder; often 1t was empty, for
Veneering was staid, sober town.
Tonight she paused between the
verses of her song. The policemen on
their beat were coming down the al
ley with a prisoner, their voices COM
ing clearly to her across the fence.
He was a new man, therefore very
Jealous.
"Yes! Yesl" he was saying, deris-
lively. 'They all play that gag on me.
guess the sunstroke you got was over
counter and out of glass;"
"But-but, listen to me, officer" said
the man, thiclly. as he staggered along
with the policeman's help, II haven't
touched drop. It's the heat-I was
overcome in the harvest field last
month, and this Is the first time I've
been out"
"Yes, anil be your last time till
you've paid your f1ne," put in the
policeman.
"But it's true, say" stammered the
man, "and you mustn't lock me up.
I'm sober-1'm sick. This is false
charge"
AS he pleaded they reached the jail,
and, unlocking the door, the officer,
with derisive laugh, pushed the man
into the inner darkness and slammed
the door on him. Molly, straining her
ears, heard him call once or twice, then
all was still. Her song stopped, and
her ready sympathy went out to the
poor man across the alley. Not for O
moment did she doubt his story,
though his thick and husky voice and
uncertain walk were against him, and
an unusual anger burned within her.
She hurried into the parlor, where Mrs.
| Revell sat in imposing leisure.
"Oh, Mrs. Revell-ma'a ami The
policeman has just brought a poor
| sick man up the alley and locked him
UP for drunk, for all the man told he
was only sick from sunstroke. Won't
you have Mr.. Revell go and see about
it?"
The mistress stared In petrified sur
prise, not comprehending the meaning
of Molly's request. Then she laughed
an unpleasant, contemptuous laugh.
Fancy" she said In tone that
made the girl shrink. $50 you want
Mr.. Revell to espouse the cause of sot
arrested on the street, just because
you heard the creature protest that
he was not drunk. You've done good
| many foolish things, Molly, but this is
the worst yet. Go back to your place
and don't worry about your Jail bird.
He'll be sick enough by morning, any
way"
Molly crept back to her kitchen,
abashed but not convinced, and sat In
silence by the window for an hour
longer. The evening was still andver
hot. She knew that the only ventila-
tion afforded in the prisoners room
was from single slit-like window. At
last she could stand it no longer, and
taking pitcher of cold water and q
small tin cup, stole out of the gate and
across to the building opposite.
| She naarpd thrnuph the harS hut +h a