The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1902-08-07

Seemeu no way 10 live, tNe ueSL way
out of MY difficulties was TO die. So ]
cleared out Of the old home,
selling ,uy stick, and all that
was left me, and then, with
a few clothes done mp in bur
die and matter of twenty shillings
in my pocket. made for the sea. 1t
was only walk of i few miles to
where the boats started to cross the
channel. and l meant to take my pas
sage at night and just pitch myself
overheard when I got half way
And this lady-how did she hell
your 1 asked.
I'm coming to it," answered the old
man. LAS I've begun, you shall heal
my story to the end. A dark nigh
it was. though not stormy. There
didn't seem to be many passengers and
the few there were had all gone be-
low, or at least | thought so. 'Now's
Your chance. Don't be a coward!" said
to myself, and got away to the stern
of the boat, where there was no one
to look and was just going to take
the leap when felt hand on my
arm and saw the figure of woman
rising up from corner where hadn't
known there was anybody.
Don't be desperate she said in a
quiet, kind sort Of way. At any rate,
tell me just what the trouble is. III
help you if I can
cat first 1 wouldn't; but she began
persuading me and at last found my
self telling her everything as though
I'd known her all my life.
"In your place, I would not give
in without another try she said when
I'd made clean breast of everything,
and l telieve that for new life
there's nothing like a new country.
Why not go to Canada?'
because / can't I answered, and
then l pulled out the few shillings
which were all mad left after paying
my ticket from Dover. That won't
take me to Canada said, nor to any,
where else that know of. Better
let me drown myself, ma'am- there's
no coin wanted in the next world, I'm
thinking, supposing there is a next
world
":Oh. I can't let you be coward!'
said the lady, and so kindly! There
wasn't any quoting texts, or preaching
at me. or telling me was miserable
sinner. I expect she knew it wasn't
the right moment for anything of tat
sort. I live just short railway .!1s-
tance from where We shall land She
said, and though mine is only a little
home, l have spare room where l
shall be pleased for you to sleep for
a night or two while We arrange
things.
"I am not rich, but in three days
could lend you enough. money to so
away to that big country where men
like you are wanted, and are sure to
get on. Will you go? When you grow
rich you can pay me back"
"'Will l go? Yes, that Will said
1; and l felt a big lump come in my
throat that chokcd back all the thanks
:hat my heart was full Of.
so she took me to her home and
raade me feel as welcome as though
had been one Of her own friends. and
in a week time I was gone-with
right good will, too. to succeed and
make something better of my life.
And did YOU Sic ,eed?" said.
Eyes. I've nothing to complain of,
answered the old man, except that
she didn't live to hear all had done.
But l had paid her back before tho
year was ont; and in two mora years
I'd squared up every debt I'd left be-
hind me. And then, when money kept
on coming in, l wrote to her that was
going to give myself trip across the
nis herring pond, to show her I'D not
been quite unworthy of her blindness,
and to ask her if there was any other
fellows as unfortunate as had been
who could be set going by few OF ny
hank notes. But I was too late"
and now what are you going to
do9"
'I'm just going back again. an
swered the nan. "Therc'S nothing
else l can 10. I've been reading over
some of Mrs. Edward Hardings let.
ters-she used to write to me every
now and then. And l think that's what
she would advise if she could speak to
me. And the money have here"-he
touched the breast pocket Of his coat
"and what l can make, shall go to help
thos that are down on their luck,
same as l was when she held out her
kind hand to me aboard that channel
steamer"
had taken a fancy to this Charl's
Brown, and fingered day or two II,
Liverpool, and finally saw him on
board the ship bound for aHlifax.
"I'd like a few flowers put on her
grave" were mis- last words TO me. ":f
YOU should be over there, perhaps you
wouldn't mind seeing to it. Id like
to show her just little of what feel
only somehow | fancy she knows all
about it now."
81 believe she does," was my answer
as we clasped hands.-Waverley Maya
zine.
PEARLS OF THOUGHT.