The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1908-10-16


plain seamstress, butler, laundress
and general factotum in the family of
James B. Revell, or, as it was written
on her mistress cards, J. 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 that
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,
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 a great corn-crib
and blacksmith shop, the brick walls
of the city jail-called the 'calla-
boose" by the youngsters about town.
1t was grim one-story affair, with
barred windows, and had been an eye
sore to Molly ever since she first saw
it. Sometimes it's prisoners were
hilarious, and their shouts and ribald
songs made her shudder, often it was
empty, for Veneering was 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 CON-
ing clearly to her across the fence
He was new man, therefore very
jealous
Yes! Yes!" he was saying deris-
lively. "They all play that gag on
me. guess the sunstroke We got
was: over a counter and out of a
glass;"
"But-but, listen to me, officer
said the man thickly, as he staggered
along with the policemans help, Il
havent 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
Eyes, anil be your last time till
you've paid your fine," put in the po.
liceman.
But it's true, l say" stammered
the man, land you mustn't lock me
up. I'm sober-Tm sick This is a
false charge"
AS he pleaded they reached the Jail,
and, unlocking the door, the officer,
with derisive laugh, pushed the man
into the inner darkness and slammed
the door on him. Molly straining her
ears, heard him call once or twice,
then all was STILL Her song stopped,
and her ready sympathy went out to
the poor man across the alley Not
for moment did she doubt his story,
though his thick husky voice and un-
certain walk were against him, and
an unusual anger burned within her
She hurried into the parlor where
A'AA % ASS'~AA oot Ia AAAPOoAAG 4CAoulC
"Oh, Mrs. Revell-maam! The DO
liceman has just brought poor sick
man up the alley and locked him up
for drunk, for all the man told him
he was only sick from sunstroke.
Won't you have Mr.. Revell go and see
about It,
The mistress stared in petritied sur
nrico MT h0p hD
of Molly's request. Then she laugh
ed an unpleasant, contemptuous
laugh.
Fancy" she said in a tone that
made the girl shrink. so you want
Mr.. Revell to espouse the cause of a
sot arrested on the street, just be-
cause you heard the creature protest
that he was not drunk. You've done
a good many foolish things, Molly, but
this is the worst yet Go back to
your place and don't worry about your
jail-bird. He'll be sick enough by
morning, anyway"
Molly crept back to her kitchen,
abashed but not convinced, and sat
in silence by the window for an hour
longer. The evening was still and
very hot. She knew that the only
ventilation afforded in the prison.
er's room was from single
slit-like window. At last she could
stand it no longer, and taking
a pitcher of cold water and a small
tin cup, stole out of the gate and
across to the building opposite.
She peered through the bars. but
the interior was in the blacklist drak.
ness. The man was breathing heav-
lily, grooming with nearly every
breath. She shook the bars gently
once or twice to attract his attention.
and spoke softly:
"Say, mister-listen!"
Finally she heard motion, and in
moment the man answered weakly:
What is it,"
ITS so hot that I've brought q
pitcher of water. Don't you want q
drink"
Yes, yes" he answered thickly and
eagerly. If you can wait till / pull
myself up"
After some struggling the man stood
at the window. The light from across
the opposite street cast faint glow
on the wall and window, and she
could see that his face was fairly liyid
and his eyes bright and staring. The
cup would not 60 through the bars
until she had bent its rim, he watch
ing her eagerly. He emptied it thirst
lily twice.
you mustn't have any MORE" she