The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-11-17

a recess next TO the chimney place was
a wooden structure which he supposed
was the washtub. and upon the closed
cover OF this he saw a tiny form covered
with a bit Of worn but clean cloth which
might once have been sheet.
This Is your baby said he, reverently
lifting the cloth.
Yes sir" said the woman with a sob.
Mr.. Mitchell heaved a sigh as he gazed
upon the thin little corpse. too evidently
dead from want OF nourishment.
mo. sir; my fourth.
your rourth? Then you have three
children aliveY'
and wondered where they all slept, but
her reply explained matters.
..,.NNo' sir said the . stricken mother, her.
| think teethin' does II aud the not
weather sir It's awful hot here, even
fSe On the a,. top oSs Ssro up noS ,h1ags Ss
better for the little one. But, you see,
It's no use. God is against me. | guess,
thought what I've done ] don't know"
OF the Almighty Father Left alone In
their wickedness by their fellow man.
wh9t wonder daT aane they Sse fsith n
Mitchell. What has been done is the
fault OF others. Your condition Is re-
suit of their greed and selhshness, You
are not to blame, but neither must you
think that the Almighty has forgotten
you"
I'm sure I try not to. sir. but some
times It's hard, mighty hard. to know
what to think" She bent her head and
''rell me- said Mr.. Mitchell, soo;hingly.
"how has all this come about? You have
a husband. have you not? Cannot he
support you?"
Yes. sir; I'm a proper married woman,
and my husbands sober good In
times has been hard with us. What
with the strikes, and the Italians comm
over. and one thing and another. we've
been goin down these last three years.
Patrck-my husbands an Trishman. sir
gets odd jobs now and then, but steady
work don't seem to come his way. Yet
he's a good man at his trade. too. He's
brlcklayer."
Where Is he now7'
Baby died this mornin' about o'clock.
We was both up with her all night Pat
went on like mad and went out early. He
amt come back. | thought maybe he'd
gone to notify the police. He'd have TO
do that. wouldn't he7"
II suppose So But. Mrs Griffin. do hot
be despondcnt. Df course death at any
time is dreadful thing. but remember
II comes TO the rich as well az to the
poor"
Yes. | know other people has their
sorrows but the rich has some comforts.
too, ! guess. That makes the sorrow
easier TO bear. ! faHcy." She spoke bit
Come my good woman. you must not
speak so. IL is wrong of the rich 10
neglect the poor. but II is also wrong OF
the poor TO look upon the rich their
enemies. Many OF the wealthiest would
be only too glad 10 do away with all the
poverty in the land II only they knew
how. Fortunately | ann "a rich man and
| can at least help one deserving family.
So cheer up. will see that your baby
is properly buried. and will find work
for YOUR good man. since You tell me he
Is n sober. hnrd-w 1rking fellow.
"Oh. may heaven bless you. and may
God forgive me for sayin' that He had
forgotten us!'
kissed his hand had he permitted lie
raised her from tho floor and made her
take n seat on the one chair I'm the room.
and now that there had come to her
lidity. OF despair she began 20 weep CO.
piouslv
AZ this moment the door was rudely
opened by n vicious kick of a mans boot.
and drunken. rough looking. man tot
tered into the room. At sight or him
the woman emitted scream and sprang
"Aiv cod. Patrick. Patrick" she cried.
drunk"
pushing her away from him. I'm not
drunk I'm crazy. thnts all CrFgyl I'm
crazy from losin' my child! So. kcep
away from me. or u % Won hurt. And
who's this bird with the fine feathers7''
10 noticed NJ Mitchell and turned uoon
him threateningly. who's this man
y7u've trorgh' IN hsre7"
"Oh Patrick Pat. dear. don't carry
~ So THIS gnntlcr-ar's come 10 helm ne
" civil 90 him: fhc-es n good man"
Then. turning ~ Mr Mitchell she adfed.
ssirsSrsly ntr 1l pcn Mid III hin sir H, ,ns
hahv He's = sober rnan sir-indeed In
deed ne is, Don't hold this up against