Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-01-16

one morning the old woman came to
me and said that my mamma would
never come back-that she--was-
dead. Oh, how that did hurt me. It'll
broke my heart. l cried all day so
hard that l could not beg, and I'd hid
away in the alley. Then as l had no
money to carry home to the old wom-
an she would beat me terribly, for she
had threatened to do so many, many
times if did not bring to her hand
full Of money at night. So decided to
run away from her.
When she told me of my dear
mammals death she said l now belong
ed to her, that my mamma owed her
big sum for rent and owed her for my
board and keep while she was in the
hospital and that | was to stay with
her and pay the debt by begging.
Well on the day that my dear mamma
died l knew there was no use in my
staying with the old woman any long
er. I had only stayed there hoping
that my mamma would soon come
back to me- So ran away, and as
was passing big place l saw tho
name hospital over the door. Some
how 1 felt that my mamma might be
in there. | went in and told them
all about her and about myself. And
the nurses and the head doctor were
very kind to me and after they whis-
pered together little while, took me
to where my mamma was lylng-ail
cold and white. They said the city
would bury her that evening. And then
l kissed her goodbye and went away. |
could not talk to the nurses and the
doctor. A great lump was in my throat
and nearly choked me. So went into
the street and wandered about all
day. | slept some that night in a big
deep doorway Of an office building
close to where I had lived with
mamma before we went to live in the
room belonging to the bad old woman.
And that was yesterday
The child stopped and rubbed her
cold fingers across her eyes, then
asked: WAS it wrong for me to run
away from the old woman, sir?"
mot by joyful, little un," the man
replied. And, say, you needn't stay
out here in the cold while l go to as
my mistress about what | shall do
with you-you just come along with
me and tell her what you've told me,
and l reckon everything will be all
right"
At first the child refused to go into
the elegant big home, saying she was
too ragged and dirty to talk to fine
lady But the groom insisted on her
accompanying him, which she at last
consented to do.
Once in the splendid warm library
the little child from the street stood
before the fire, pains tingling in every
limb as the warmth began to stir the
! blood in her veins. But though she
suffered, she felt glad to be a place
that was called home" place which
spoke Of comfort rather than of lux
ury. And while she stood there, afraid
to sit on the softly cushioned chairs,
she heard step behind her.
Turning timidly around, her eyes
beheld the most beautiful woman she
had ever seen, except her own mother,
who was ever so beautiful to her.
Then a slender white hand came out
to her, stroking her golden hair, and
tender voice said: My groom Jim
has been telling me all about you, lit,
/ tie one, and l have come to tell you
that you are not to sleep behind the
barn in the snow, but in my house in
room opening right into my own
room, and in warm cozy bed. And
| you shall not have to go to the coun
try, where people have hearts, for
thank my creator that my heart has
never ceaser to beat with sympathy
for the poor. And if you have nc
homeland no one has a rightful CLAIM,
on you-you shall remain with me-
always 1 have no little daughter
unless you will be one to me-
With a cry of rapture and stream
! ing eyes the little street wait threw
herself into the lady's outstretchet
arms, and brokenly she told her al
that she knew about herself.
well, I am quite certain there is nc
reason why l should not adopt you
my little snowflake fairy, for that i:
what you are. Out of the little snow
drift you came to me. And you are {
dear little fairy-and are to be m!
own dear little daughter"
And my name is Mary whisper
ed the child 81 was named for m.
mamma. May keep her name? 1 Low,
it so.''
Indeed, you shall, and We'll fint
where your dear mamma was buriet
and have her removed to a beautiful
spot where you may go so often a
you like, my little one