The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1908-05-07

lew minutes JnGn brought us to the
corner of dingy, pestilential look
ing court, lined on each side by tum-
Bile down two story houses which
looked as though they had been or
iginally jerry built, and had been out
OF repair for many years back. They
were noisome in the extreme, fetid,
reeking of slime and neglect. No. 13
presented a set of creeky and very
filthy stairs. My guide hooked his
small hand firmly into mine, and
without delay we began to climb up
and up, until at last we reached a
back room on the top floor. The boy
ran in first, while l waited outside.
Only minute elapsed, when the
door was opened, and IN response to a
muffied Come in, SIR" l entered.
The room was literally devoid of
furniture. There was no chair to sit
down; no table to fill up the bare
floor space. Yet there was a mar
velous air of peace, and even of COM
fort, in that empty garrett! All, for
instance, was wonderously clean. And
one felt that there was a decent and
gracious air about the place which
spoke well for its human occupants.
1t was sometime before my eyes
could take in my surroundings. But
presently | saw a figure lying near
the window, on the floor, on a heap
of rags. 1t was that of a poor, decent
looking woman. A few words of SYM
pathy and explanation, and learned
her simple story. The woman was a
widow of about forty-five. She had
injured her leg, and the wound. in
stead OF healing, apparently had fes-
tered. A large, unwholesome ulcer
was exposed to view as l examined it.
She had gone twice as an out patient
to the nearest hospital, but she could
walk no longer. Her work as a char
woman had had perforce to be given
up; so there she lay, helpless to move
hand or foot on her own behalf! BY
her side stood little girl of about
six years of age-"our Bess," she
called her-a bright-eyed, WI ,me
little lassie.
But Billy was the bread winneri
He it was who kept the wolf from the
door. 1t was he who had boldly gone
into trade in. tho endeavor to supply
mother, sister and himself with
bread. Deeply affected, listened to
the simple. homely, heroic story. Men
are inclined to the belief that heroes
are made only on special occasions.
Yet in truth the finest heroes are
homespun, and often hidden in OBJ
scurity. Billy was of the true stun.
and his modest struggle might have
made an epic.
Why, l asked of the woman, did
she not go to hospital? The ques-
tion was hardly asked when felt re-
buked. What would become of the
children" said the poor woman.
Billy might do for bit by himself;
he is a brave lad But our Bess-," :"
And then the poor soul fairly broke
down. Yet in a minute the tears
were wiped away, and as looked at
the calm, resolute face, discovered
Were Bill got his bravery from.
We'll, them" said l, why not try
to get the children into some home or
refuge, while you are taken to the
hospital and properly treated?"
"Ah, yes. sir!" replied she eagerly,
that's what would like; but then
l don't know how to set about it,"
Then, to my surprise, she added, in
the simplest, most matter-of-fact tone
imaginable, "' have been prayin' to
the Lord all the time have been acre
to take care of the children, and to
keep our Bess from the streets"
Here IN this wretched room, de-
priyed OF everything, depending alb
solutely upon child of nine years OF
age for food and fuel--here lay this
decent, industrious creature with a
firm trust in the God OF prayer, and
in her breast there still burned the
flame Of faith and hope.
"Yes. indeed, God has His own in
every nook OF the great cityl Poor
Mrs. Rider was a Christian woman,
strong in prayer, and drawing in sim
pie trust upon all the powers OF the
Omnipotent.
Look here. sir" continued the
woman. Sho put her hand under the
pillow, aud pulled out leaf OF a
w~ll known religious weekly Journal.