The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1904-08-17
AMADIE'S
CHANCE

~ ruw 'OHcS, at SOHle peIlOu Ol
o o life, what we call IA
u chance" Many of us
WOW probably more than the
majority-let the chances pass US. We
do not recognize them, or are too timid
or inert to grasp them, and they do
not return; for the same chance never
offers Itself twice. or those who seize
them many are influenced merely by
selfish motives. by the promise of per-
sonal profit they present. But a few
lay bold of them simply from sense
OF duty, as knowing what is right and
desiring to do 1t. and to such the re-
suits of their action are doubly blessed.
Amadie Flessell was a French girl.
or OF French descent. being the only
daughter of French parents, but born
In this country. She was an orphan.
and was poor; consequently her lot in
life was a hard one. 1t would have
puzzled her to tell how she had man
aged to get along since the death of
her parents. She remembered confus.
edlt long and unpleasant series of
hard rubs. but could not have given a
clear account OF them.
At the age OF sixteen-known as
Sweet sixteen" by girls who are well
cared for and happy-Amadie was Il
ballet dancer In a variety theatre. II
was neither proud nor profitable
position. She was but beginner, and
much of her small salary must be paid
for education, while a portion of 1t was
absorbed by fines for her ignorance and
awkwardness. II was supposed that u
French girl must necessarily dance,
but Amadle was not a natural dancer,
and did not take kindly to that branch
Of the theatrical profession. She be-
iieved that she would be able to sing,
tf she could get chance to learn, but
no such opportunity came to her, and
she felt that she could only worry her
way along over the hard road that had
been appointed for her.
One night she was going home at q
late hour. The dancing had come on
near the close of the entertainment,
and Amadie had been detained for re-
proof by the ballet master who had
q
be assessed upon her for an awkward
mistake in u dance With small
bundle under her arm, she wearlls
wound her way through the streets of
the city. and was quite sick at heart,
as she knew that the fines of the week
would not leave her money enough to
pay her rent and procure her the mea.
ger necessaries Of life.
Just before she reached neat
brownstone house, the second door
from street corner, her attention was
attracted by something unusual and
peculiar. The basement window was
open. and rough looking man was
coming ont at the opening.
There could be but one explanation
of such a singular circumstance; the
house was being plundered by burg.
lars.
or one thousand girls that might be
placed In Amadle's position. all but
one would run away, but Amadie was
the one who did not think of running
She saw chance to make herself use
ful. and availed herself OF 1t instinct
lively
Shrinking behind the wall OF the cor
ner house she peeped out and watched
the proceedings. She saw the mar
who had emerged from the basement
window take some bundles that were
handed 10 him from within. Then an
other came out, the window was
closed, and the two men picked up the
bundles and walked rapidly up the
street.
Amadie looked around for a police
man, but OF course without expecting
10 see one. and at once resolved TO fol
dow the thieves.
Swiftly and silently she sped after
them, near enough TO keep them In
view. ana saw them turn the corner a
tew blocks away, where covered
wagon was waiting for them. They
hurriedly deposited their bundles IN
the wagon. climbed up in front and
drove rapidly away.
This maneuvre did not change oI
prevent Amadle's purpose. She was
near enough to the wagon when II
started to run after ito catch hold OF
AZ. as she had seen the stout boys do
and 10 swing herself up In very un
comfortable position
lf she had known what n journey II
was TO be II must be confessed that sh'
would not have attempted II. Nor,
than once. after 1t was begun. sh'
wolid have been glad enough 10 aban
don II. but she could not. The Wagon
was whlrled through the streets a
such rapid rate that she knew 4
wonid hurt her TO allght and feared 4
might kill her. The danger OF lettln.
40 was greater than that OF holdln.
-on. and she clung as with death grill
TO the wood and iron. although sh,
was several times nearly flung on. an,
although she was In terrible and con
,sfnntiy increasing pain.
At last. when she had become moth
zng but bundle OF aches and exhau,
aion. the vehicle stopped at a smal
house In shabby street. The girl fel
quite Incapable OF using her body q
her brain, but the danger OF discover
compelled her TO eIertion. Fortunate
" there was a narrow alley In sigh
and she slipped down and ran TO
just before the wagon came to a fu
stop
CrouchIng down on the brlcEs-fo
she could not stand--she peered on
and saw one OF the men carry the bur
B dies into the small house. Then u