The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1902-10-17
NUMBER "a.

away, and her eyes gave a glea
hope. Unless you'd take me, ma'a
"I-I-rm too poor" demonstrated {.
Bondlady. Hard enough t feed one
mouth
''Oh. ma'am-I can help-rm q work
er. l am. I won't be any trouble-and
and | know you'll be good to me.
cause you have red hair You'll take
me. won't you, ma'amY"
She was far. very far, from being
pretty, but in spite Of tears, in spite
of dirt, there was something irresist-
ible about her as she now looked i'm
ploringly. hopefully, into the coarse
face of the Bondlady.
"Well-we might try it-but'-
The little girl would listen to no
butts" Childish glee took possession
of her. She seemed like another being.
Lets go home right nowv she ex-
claimed, taking her half reluctant ben
efactress by the hands. My name1
Ruth" she added
The Bondlady was literally carried
away in spite of herself-away from
the scene of her labors, back to what
she called home.
TITS very dirty" said the little girl
ruefully.
$50 are ye." retorted the Bondlady.
Ruth took the hint cheerfully.
where's the soap. ma'amT'
Soap" Like tears. soap seemed q
| dim recollection. "Soap-yes, ye'd bet
ter get some soap; ye need soap"
And she counted out FIVE pennies.
Ruth brought back one of them. The
Bondlady put 1t in her purse.
There's some big sticks Of pepper
mint
"We don't eat candy here"
Ruth showed her temperament was
quite as sunny as her hair, swallowing
her disappointment instead of the pep
permint- Then. having used the soap
upon herself. she attacked the floor.
Her cleanliness was contagious. Next
morning the Bondlady used soap too.
Still more surprising, she bought Ruth
a stick of peppermint.
| The Bondlady ceased to ply her un-
pleasant trade merely because Of her
| iii luck, for the money sense was still
strong in her. While the court was
taking away her ''hereinbefore men,
toned dwellings, sha found consola-
ton in the glittering gold concealed in
an old chest Of drawers. One day
Ruth saw her with a stockingful Of
coin. After that she would no longer
listen to pleas Of poverty: her entreat-
les for goodies" and pretty things to
wear" became quite as irresistible n
had been her plea In the courtyard
Slowly but surely the kinship due to
that fiery touch OF nature grew into
love. Then one day In early spring
Ruth asked the Bondlady, How much
money have you got, motherT
Il don't know-exactly."
But how much-aboutw
About But why do ye want T
know, RuthY"
Because l thought IL you only had
enough to get away from here. to get
out into one Of the new parts, to start
l a little store"
She was talking business. The Bond
lady's ears opened. That's not bad
plan. Ruth. I'll go count my money.
I'll think about it."
Not long since the two former clients
of the Bondlady who had seen her and
Ruth in the courtyard. having been as
signed by the political masters to light
labor with a street paving gang in the
! suburbs. stopped for refreshments at a
neat little corner grocery. A bright
faced, red haired lass waited on them.
Behind the counter was a woman with
hair of the same shade. She wore
glasses and was reading a newspaper
Il IL x,d 40
were clean as the little shop. SO clean
that the dirt stained political serfs
were awed into silQnce till they re.
turned to the pavement.
"Bless'd IL 1t isn't tn Bondlady and
her kidr'
"Hiven must a-helped 'em both sure
enoughw