The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1908-01-18
By MAY BELLEvILLE BROWN
(Copyright.)

Molly was maid-of-allwork, nurse,
plain seamstress, butler, laundress
and general factotum in the family OF
James B. Revell, or, as 1t was written
on her mistress cards. ]. Barnett
Revell. Her position was not sine
cure. for in each of her Offices the
best work was expected Of her, few
liberties were given her, and her week
ly stipend was no greater than tnat
given in houses where the same work
was divided among three or four. But
Molly was an orphan, unsophisticated
and easily imposed upon, and. besides,
a livid red mark lay across her right
cheek, rendering her self-conscious
and willing to hide herself anywhere.
When she looked In her mirror she
did not see that her eyes were pleas
ant blue, that her lips were full and
rosy, that her light brown hair waved
prettily back from a broad forehead
she only saw the angry looking brand
burning on her cheek, and felt that
she could not bear strange eyes.
When Molly sat at her kitchen
window, she saw, across the neat
back yard and high board fence,
sandwiched between great corn-crib
and a blacksmith shop, the brick walls
of the city jail-called the Gala
boose' by the youngsters about town.
It was a grim one-story affair. with
barred windows, and had been an eye
sore to Molly ever since she first saw
it. Sometimes its prisoners were
hilarious, and their shouts and ribald
songs made her shudder, often 1t was
empty, for veneering was a staid.
sober town.
Tonight she paused between the
verses of song. The policeman
on his beat was coming down the al
ley with a prisoner. their voices COM
ing clearly to her across the fence.
He was a new man. therefore very
| jealous.
Eyes! Yes!" he was saying deris-
lively. They all play that gag on
me. l guess the sunstroke We got
was over q counter and out OF a
| glass"
'But-but, listen to me, officer
said the man thickly, as he staggered
along with the policeman's help, y
haven't touched drop It's the heat
! Il was overcome in the harvest field
last month. and this is the first time
I've been out
"Yes. anil be your last time till
| you've paid your fne," put In the pc
| liceman.
but it's true, / say" stammered
the man. "and you mustn't lock me
up. I'm sober-Pm sick. This Is
false charge"
AS he pleaded they reached the jail
and, unlocking the door, the officer
with derisive laugh, pushed the mar
into the inner darkness and slammed
the door on him. Molly straining hel
ears, heard him call once or twice
then all was still. Her song stopped
and her ready sympathy went out tf
the poor man across the alley No
Tor a moment did she doubt his story
though his thick husky voice and un
certain walk were against him, ant
an unusual anger burned within her
She hurried into the parlor where
Mrs. Revell sat in imposing leisure.
"Oh, Mrs. Revell-ma'am! The pc
liceman has just brought poor sicl
man up the alley and locked him VI
for drunk, for all the man told hin
he was only sick from sunstroke
Won't you have Mr. Revell go and SCI
about it."
The mistress stared in petrified sur
prise. not comprehending the meanini
, of Molly's request. Then she laugh
, ed an unpleasant contemptuou
. laugh.
Fancy" she said in tone tina
, made the girl shrink. $50 you wan
, Mr.. Revell to espouse the cause of
. sot arrested on the street, just be
: cause you heard the creature protes
, that he was not drunk. You've don
good many foolish things, Molly, bu
, this is the worst yet. Go back t
; your place and don't worry about you
:. jail-bird. He'll be sick enough b
|. morning, anyway"
!. Molly crept back to her kitchen
!. abashed but not convinced. and SO
/. in silence by the window for an hou
longer. The evening was still an
|. very hot. She knew that the onl
$ ventilation afforded in the prison
o ers room was from a singl
!. sle-like window. At last she coul
4 stand it no longer, and takin
!. a pitcher of cold water and sma
tin cup, stole out Of the gate an
across to the building opposite.
She peered through the bars, b,
the interior was in the blacklist dra,
ness. The man was breathing hea
4 lily. grooming with nearly ever
). breath. She shook the bars gent
0 once or twice to attract hts attentio
:. and spoke softly: