The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1906-07-04
MARKS CHANCE.
CA True Story.)
Sidney Lanier.
By Ada M. Trotter.

By Ada NJ. Trotter
81 believe in you, Mark" said the jailer's wife,
cordially. give found you place at last and
you've got your chance-now."
"The matron's geese" said her detractors were
always Swans" Specifically, the lad addressed
presented no budding wings
Mark Brown, understood thin to emaciation
with a large clumsy head i'll adapted to his frail
body, stood apparently Indifferent to the Chance"
offered him. His face, peculiarly unattractive
wore a sulen expression his beetle brows crowd
ed his eyes out of sight his thin lips showed reti-
cence in their closed lines
81 want bright lad, above all, trustworthy"
read the kind woman from the letter open in her
hand. eff you promise that of your boy
why-send him along"
Marks sullen expression changed for one of
some surprise. His lips quvered, but speech was
slow to come.
"Well?" said the matron
"He says bright amt bright"
why, yes, you are. You're real bright boy
I shall miss you at every turn you're so quick
and I can always depend your word"
Marks face did not betray the pleasure these
words gave him, but he took courage to speak
"4e wouldn't take me if he know'd"
His friend colored. She had not read aloud the
whole of the letter, written in answer to her elo-
quent appeal to Cousin Joe, to give the boy
chance.
"The dear Lord sends us new days Let the
boy start in fresh Don't let him know that I've
told you what he's here for"
"I don't believe in concea1ments, cousin" re-
piled Cousin Joe But wife and me won't 90
against you. If the boy is worth anything he
shall have his chance. Send him along"
The matron had discovered Mark in her first
round of the cells. He had been sent to jail near
ly year before, because the Mayor did not know
what to do for him. his offense being too slight
to necessitate the Reform School The boy be
ing homeless had been sent back to the Jail I'M
til something could be done for him remanded
forgotten, left for nine months to the compan-
ionshn of criminals.
Mark, orphan at thirteen years Of age was
the son of a saloonkeeper. and habituated to the
poisonous atmosphere Of tobacco and alcohol
From their doubtful home life he drfted to the
streets, lived by his wits by day and herded with
tramps in the pine kilns outside the city by night
The theft of frying-pan. in which to cook his
meals, brought the lad to the Mayors notice and
the Jail
The matron found him sitting solitary and in
sullen apathy among the noisy crowd She in
terested herself in his case and when he was re-
leased took him into her service at the Jail ne
must have fine latent qualities" she argued when
he proved himself to be handy and reliable "else
such childhood would have spoiled him utterly"
She watched him carefully for three months. then
besought Cousin Joe to take him and give him
a Chance"
few days after receiving the letter concern
ing Mark, the good woman put the lad in the care
OF the conductor the cars and kissed him.
whienering, God bless you ladde" as she hur-
ried away
I've words the kind embrace. affected Mark Gu
riously When the cars started the rumb1ing