Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1899-08-26
DIR. JUD ON'S CHILD.

PECK, a dealer III rssauy-Daue ci0bnlnE,
who was getting rich through the half
paid labor Of the women he employed.
The man se0wled down into the in
nocent face of the speaker. and then a
CLEAN Of intelligence lighted up his
dull eyes.
ooh, no. So, it's the Wilder judi
sons little gal is TT" he said, as he un-
rolled the bundle. carefully examining
every piece 1t contained why didn't
that pretty black-eyed sister Of yours
Gomez"
II heard her tell mother that she
didn't like to come here" was the in
nocent reply; $50 sac sent me-"
The man scowled again, and this time
his scowl was darker than before.
She thinks because she's DR.. judi
sons daughter that she's bettern' COM
mon folksl" he muttered.
Then, turning to The child, he said:
Tell your sister that ] can't pay
money to little gal ike you; faint
safe. But If she'll come here this
evening I'll pay her in full"
Didn't you get the money, Carrier"
said Emma JudsoD, anxiously, as the
child entered
NO, sister, Mr.. Peck wouldn't let me
have it, but he said il you'd come
over he'd pay 1t to you"
The pale cheek flushed deeply.
Il will not go!" was the first thought
that rose in her mind.
Then she glanced at the fireless
hearth and empty cupboard, her eyes
resting last upon tle pale face of her
invalid mother, who sat reclining in an
easy chair by the window.
With compressed lips and cleaning
eyes she arose from her seat.
Mrs. Judson turned upon her daugh-
ter troubled, inqlsiring look
What can be his motive in not send
Ing the money by Carrier"
Perhaps he was afraid she would
lose 1t, or wanted TO show his author
lty 1t does not matter"
In spite of EmLlas confident tone
and bearing in her mothers presence,
her heart sank as she drew near the
dingy store kept by her employer.
Mr.. Peck greeted her with a smile
that made his coarse, red face look
more repulsive than ever.
tSit down-sit down, Miss Emma;
III attend to we in few minutes"
1t seemed likely to be some time be-
fore Mr.. Peck would be at leisure to
attend to her, and leaning her head
upon her hand, she fell into train OF
painful reflection.
She contrasted her present life of toll
and privation with the ease and plenty
chat had been hers before the death of
her kind father threw her upon the
cold charities of the world
Her thoughts then reverted to him,
who was so seldom out OF her mind, to
e.1,r e~t-ra h ~ nd
Dlighted her troth, but from whom shs
had not heard for many a weary
month.
She had written him Immediately
lfter her fathers death, telling him of
he sad change in their circumstances;
but no answer had come to it, or to any
other of the loving missives she had
forwarded.
He must be dead he would not.
could not be false to her!
He had gone West to seek his for
tune-the fortune that was one day to
he theirs-but only to find gravel
Absorbed in these reflections Emma
hardly noticed the lapse of time until
Mr.. Peck addressed her, when she per-
cewed, to her alarm, that the store was
quite deserted.
amount of that little bill of yours?"
zone dollar and seventy-five," replied
Emma, taking no notice of the rude
familiarity of this speech save by the
heightened color and sparkling eyes.
BE good enough to give me the
money, for it is growing late?"
You needn't worry about that" re-
sponded the man, with laugh. II
amt one to let gal go home alone
not if she's got such bright eyes as
yours, my deari"
Without deigning any reply to this
Emma took the money from the coun-
ter and turned to the door.
But not so swiftly but what he was
on the doorstep as soon as she.
Not so fast, my dear; I'm going the
same way
Mr. Peck, ! will not trouble you to
go home with me, said Emma, turning
upon her unmanly prosecutor a look
that would have been sufficient to a less
british nature.
"Oh, it's no trouble, Miss; quite the
contrary, l assure you. l couldn't
think of letting pretty gal like you
go home alone"
Weakened by toll and fasting, Emma
could, with difficulty, refrain from
bursting into tears.
"Sir, this Is unmanly-crueli If you
do not leavs me, / will call for helpi"
"Oh, no. you WON'T"
Terrified by the rude hand that was
laid upon her shoulder, Emma was
unable to repress a scream.
Here blow from some stout fist sent
the wretch, head first, into a snowbank
at the side of the road
With a howl of rage and pain, the
discounted man arose to his feet, but,
obtaining a glimpse Of the tall, stall
wart form of his assailant, picked up
his hat, sinking around the nearest
corner.
Removing his hat, the stranger now
approached Emma, who had sank
down, faint and trembling, upon the
doorstep.
Good heavens! Emma, can it be pos
sible that this is youi"
ooh, Charley" she gasped, falling.
fainting, into the arms that were open
ed to receive her.
AS soon as she revived he hailed a
passing hack, and they were quickly