Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1906-10-17
IT'S A BAD STORM
THAT Helps NOBODY
(originalJ


through the darkness for an hour or
more, working Its way In the teeth of
n blizzard. There were few people In
the parlor car, but among them we're
man and a woman who attracted the
attention of the others. The woman
sat moodlly unmindful Of what was 60
j ing on about her; the man was alter
nately peerng out of the window and
endeavorlag to infuse bit of cheerful
ness into his companion. The train
moved slower and slower and at last
stopped.
In the car all was still; ahead was a
babel of notes.-the engineer, conduct
or and trairmen consulting as to what
should be done a strain on the boiler
had prevented further making of
steam, which not only interfered with
progress, but prevented heating the
cars. 1t was decided to send man to
a station a mile ahead to telegraph for
an engine.
When tne couple in the parlor ear
learned this the face of the man took
on greater uneasiness. The steam
having been shut off, the ear rapidly
cooled and, the thermometer being be-
low zero, the prospect of comfort was
at the ebb
81 think we shall get on again pres
emily" said the man reassuringly.
Il wish we would have to go back"
A frown gathered on his brow. II
supposed your mind was made up" he
said. what has come over your"
Il wonder who put Alice to bed to-
night?"
There was silence between them-a
gloomier silence than before. Then the
man said he would go forward and in
qulre into the prospect. While he was
gone the porter of the car said to the
lady:
'Yo' might so Into de house wha' yo'
see de light up yondah."
A sudden idea seized the woman.
Dropping a piece of money into the
mans hand she bade him lead the
way. She seemed to wish to escape
from something besides the cold. Once
out Of the car the porter helped her
through snowdrifts to the house In
question. 1t was a mere cot, and its
only occupants were man and baby.
The porter left, saying that he would
come for her tefore the train started.
She slipped another coin into his hand
and asked him to tell the gentleman
who had been with her that she would
take a rest and did not wish to be dis
turbed till 1t became necessary She
charged him not to let the gentleman
with whom she was travelling know
where she was. The porter was to slip
away and come to her.
The baby was restless and cried. The
man, after vainly endeavoring to quiet
1t, took 1t up.
'Where is It's mother2' asked the
lady.
"Tbe child has no mother"
"DeadT
"Worse"
A convulsive shudder passed over
her, as If seine one had struck her.
even though the man who took her
away was far preferable to me, Won
der she could have left this helpless
child-her ctlld-to so with him."
Another shudder passed over the lady.
She looked at the man holding the babe
with pair of wild eyes that bespoke
terror, misery, remorse. He was not
looking at her and went on with his
talk, which was addressed as much to
himself as to her.
"A woman who can desert her child
Is not a woman. She Is u monster. 1t
is bad enough to go off with another
man, but to leave her child to die but
for the fathers care, and that father
having to go out to work, Is the worst
of crimes. If were making the laws
| might not hang a woman for murder,
but should hang her for deserting her
baby"
The listener turned a ghastly white.
"But, do you know, I'd forgive her
If she'd only come back" he went on.
and his voice trembled. Yes, I'd for
give her the whole thing Not only on
the child's account. but on her own.
The man who took her away got
story on me which had just enough
truth in it to make her believe it all,
and she wasn't strong enough to resist
his influence. Yes, I'd take her back
but" he added gloomily, sit would
never be the same again There would
always be the shame of it."
A locomotive whistle sounded, and
presently footsteps came crunching in
the snow The door opened, and the
porter appeared.
"We1l be off soop," he said
"Have you told the gentleman where
ann"
"No. ma'am. He tried to make me,
but | wouldn't"
Il want you to stay with me-
What, stay here and let the train
go onP
"Yes."
"Lor', mlssus, 1 couldn't do dat; I'd
git discharged"