The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-05-14

The tune had changed and in mo-
ment she had skipped away from him
and was dancing airily in the road
again.
While the weary woman was grind
ing, the Italian went on tour with an
oyster shell. Mr.. FAINT dropped pen
ny into it, not because he liked music,
but because the little 'un liked it, and
the other scribes contributed a'pen-
ny apiece for very much the same rea-
son.
For the little 'un patronized them all,
but it was commonly recognized that
Mr.. FAINT was first favorite. She had
taken to him from the outset, and dur
ing the twelve months of their ac-
quaintance had shown such marked
preferences for his society that the 9TH
ers had facetiously christened him
Uncle and she .unhesitatingly &C
cepted the relationship
Generally speaking, Mr.. FAINT was not
expansive or genial, but the sight Of the
little I'm and the touch of her wheed-
ring hands thawed the frozen heart of
him tremendously, so that he would
laugh with her, and play with her, and
chatter to her in baby English, and
take lavish delight in insisting on
diminutive PALM as soft and pink as q
rose petal, being opened very wide for
the accommodation of a penny for
sweets.
F There had been a time when the little
un was not seen about the streets for
many days, and by and by it was re-
ported by neighbor of hers dilapi-
dated gentleman whose interest in as
OIL frQnIlonflV
North Star, that she was dangerously
i'll with Inflammation of the lungs. And
close on this currency was given to a
corning Mr.. FAINT which shall be re-
peated for what it is worth.
The little 'un lived down Butler
Court, which turned out of Cursitor
street, almost exactly opposite the
North Star. Mr.. FAINT did not live
down that court and was never seen TO
go into it. Nevertheless, it was alleg-
ed against him by indefinite persons
that he had been observed to turk in
Buffers Court and waylay the parish
doctor as he came out of a certain
house there. Further, it was represent
ed that, taking advantage of the door
of that house being always open for the
detected lodging in and upstairs in
furtive and guilty fashion, with bag
of grapes in his hand. and his pockets
bullying with oranges. Worse than
this it was said that in order to justify
his visits he deliberately passed him
self off on the little 'uns mother as
the school board man, and was not dis
covered in this outrageous hypocrisy
until the little 'un got well enough to
denounce him.
After bending all one day over his
desk in a cramped sky lighted back
room Mr.. FAINT finished the engross-
ment of two lengthy deeds, wiped his
pen, drew his money and strolled out
in the dusk toward the North Star.
FAINT" 1t was a. loafing scribe that
called to him. Heard the news? The
little 'un's mothers dead
Mr.. FAINT stood minute, startled.
who said sop
Some old gal who came over for
some beer little while ago. She says
the little 'un's been over to look for
you two or three times
Mr.. FaI4t lit his pipe with a fine cal
lousness, as intimating that it was no
business of his anyway.
Then, instead of going into the North
Star, he thrust his hands in his trouser
pockets, and lurching off with an air of
most profound Indifference turned up
Furnival street, as if he were going
home.
Now, there We're two ways into But
ler's Court-one opposite the North
Star, and one through a pinched arch
way out of Furniya1 street-and, with
casual glance behind him, Mr.. FAINT
vanished suddenly into that archway.
On the top floor but one of a house
in the court, a door opened to the sound
of his passing tread and a woman look
ed out.
"Oh, it's you, sir" she cried, recog-
nizing him; then to some one within,
Here, Gerty, here's your uncle"
In a moment the little 'un bounded
out to him, and he stopped and rose
with her in his arms. her small clasp
tightening round his neck, her face
nesting against his, and the little fig
ure convulsed with sobbing.
There, there, don't cry. It's all
right" he stammered, half shyly.
Rather sudden. wasn't ft?" he said
toward the floor above.
"Oh, no, sir. She's been going off
rapid for some time" she returned.
THE doctor never thought she'd last
so long" AS Mr. FAINT offered no obser-
walton, but seemed absorbed in troubled
thought, she went on, AN there's no
one to take the child. She don't seem
to have no friends-her father died
brao
amt real uncle. so s'pose it'll ha'
to be the workhouse, poor mite!"
Yes, I am" gasped Mr. FAINT. ag-
gressively. Pm real enough She
amt going to any workhouse. She'll
come with me. II shall have to have
her. The parish'll make me. IT'S the
law
"Oh, didn't know you was really her
uncle. Well, I'm glad of it, I'd have
'ad her here wi me sooner than let
her go to the parish. only I got seven
o my own, an that's a handful
Yes" said Mr.. FAINT. frowning stern
ly. She'll ha' to come wit me. It's
the law. I can't get out of it,. IF you
don't mind me leavin' her here for
about an hour while 1 go and let her
aunt know about it.
ITO be sure, mister. She'll be all
right here till you come vaek."
And having quoted the little 'un and
comforted her with promises of a luiclS
RETURN he hurried downstairs alone and
out and along the dismal lamplit streets
till in squalid lane of Hatton Garden
he arrived at his own home.
He lived in two attics over an inferior.
coffee shop, and, mounting to one of
these, he came upon a faded woman