Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1898-08-25
AFTER MANY DAYS.


''Any fresh fruit and vegetables to-
day, ma'am?" said the pleasant voice
of John Bowers, as he stepped upon
the porch in front of the open door of
one of his regular customers.
But Mrs. Dirk was in no mood to
hear or heed him. Just as he spoke,
little girl came in from the opposite
door, bearing a pitcher much too large
and heavy for her little hands.
Suddenly her feet tripped against a
rug, and falling forward, the pitcher
was precipitated from her hands,
breaking it, and spilling its contents
In every direction.
''You wicked, careless grill" cried
Mrs. Dirk, dragging her roughly to
her feet, 'just see what you have
done; broken new pitcher, and
ruined my clean floor! You did it on
purpose, too; know you didr'
mo, 1 didn't" said the terrified
child, shrinking from the harsh face
and uplifted hand of her tyrant.
''You little wretch how dare you
contradict me! Take that, and that!
Now go and pick up those pieces.
And, mind, not a mouthful of supper
do you have tonight"
Here Mr.. Bowers again assayed to
make himself heard, and as Mrs. Dirk
turned her head toward the door, her
flushed and angry face assumed quite
another expression.
rs that you, Mr.. Bowers? Yes,
want some peas and potatoes, and will
be ous to the cart directly That girl
Is the plague of my life, and makes q
leai more work than she saves!"
"Not your own child, I reckon?"
said Mr.. Bowers, looking compassion
ately at the sobbing child.
mothers dead. Her mother used to
do sewing for me, and when she died.
took the girl home, thinking she'd
be sort of handy washing dishes and
running of arrants. But land's-sake
alive! Z wish I'd have let her gone
tosthe poorhouse, where she belongs. !"
'Sich little hands can't do a great
DEAL" responded Mr.. Bowers, his
voice showing pity for the friendless
orphan.
"They can do good deal of mis-
chief. Now, Liddy, stop that noise
quick, for won't have it! Run and
get the basket for Mr. Bowers to put
$he peas in,
Liddy stood silently by the cart, as
Mr.. Bowers measured out the peas
and potatoes, but there was wistful
look in her eyes, as she lifted them to
the honest and kindly face of the mar
ketman.
'Do you like apples, little gala"
"Oh! yes, sir!''
Liddy's eyes sparkled, as she
saught glimpse of the two rosy
checked apples that he took from
basket under the seat. Then her
countenance fell.
''She won't let me keep them"
'Here, let me put them in your
frock, so she won't see them"
Glow old are you?"
"Nine, SIR
''You don't say sol" exclaimed Mr..
Bowers, looking at the diminutive
form before him. "Why, my little
Mary is bigger than you, an She s
only seven. But then she's nothin' to
do but to grow"
"How nice that must be! I wish I
was your little girl!'
81 wish you was, my poor child!
Hain't you no uncles or aunts that
would give you a home?"
''No, sir. Mamma had brother in
VI l. ,l. = L..
work she wrote to him. But she never
got no answer"
The next time that Mr.. Bowers
cart stopped at Mrs Dirk's door he
saw something lying near the curb of
the we'll by the roadside. 3:e
Poor little Liddy! that white face,
and the heavy pail of water beside it,
told the sad story!
Taking her up in his arms, he
carried her into the house.
For the land 's-sake alivel" "screamrd
Mrs Dirk, "what is the matter with
her?"
"Matter enough, should say" was
the blunt reply. ''The poor little
things tainted; an tain't no wonderr'
81 hope she amt going to be sick
on my hands," said Mrs Dirk, glanc-
ing uneasily at the pale face.
''I shouldn't wonder mite." re-
sponded Mr.. Bowers, IT guess you
had better let me take her home with
me; good country air will bring her
mp if anythin' will.
Mrs. Dirk gladly assented, and hall
an hour later Liddy was lifted into a