Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1909-10-08


reels Ile pressure or IT'S mothers KISS
In the dark.
He clutched my arm. "Come! he
cried. Gomez 1t was a savage cry,
yet trembling with agony.
"Where?" | asked. | was frightened
at my own voice.
amy" he cried. "Merciful God,
Amy!"
We went down the stairs-stagger-
ing. falling, struggling, we went down
the stairs. He was the first in the
street, | after him. He led the way,
and followed. Over piles Of brick
and iron, through dust that choked
and blinded. we ran. The streets were
full of people. running like we were
But there was no word spoken. save
only the cry Of some one under wall
or the grooming Of mother to q child
in her arms.
I was beginning to breathe once
more and to get new grip on life
when again came the rumble and roar
and the earth trembled in its agony
Tall buildings leaned till they all but
| touched. could see but a narrow
line of Sky between. thought they
would fall and crush me, but | didn't
care. | didn't care for anything.
wanted to laugh. thought if didn't
laugh I'd die. But didn't ran.
could hardly keep on my feet.
seemed to be stumbling over ridges OF
earth that sank out Of sight when
stepped on them.
Jack kept right ahead of me, but
presently he stopped so suddenly that
| ran Into him.
ooh" he said, Il can't leave then
there" His face was pale as death
Anxiety burned in his eyes, but c
great pity trembed in his voice.
Cant leave whom?" | gasped, but
already he had turned back.
followed, and we came to a frai
woman sitting on the curbstone. II
her arms was baby. At her knee
was a little girl. The girl was crying
On the woman's face was the palenesS
of utter exhaustion, Gu her lips was
a prayer, and In her eyes, resting OF
her children, the deep pain with which
love embitters despair.
Madam he said, ."you will let u:
help you?"
She looked at him, in her eyes
blessing worlds could not purchase
He clasped the baby in his arms an(
motioned for me to take the girl
Then. with his strong hand graspina
the woman's arm, we hurried away.
Three blocks distant a man bolte(
into us-a large, broad shouldered maj
with CRIME on his hands and grease
and dirt on his face that shOne pal'
| beneath. The woman threw her arms
about the mans neck and sobbed, an(
the man took Jacks hand and held /
| for an instant, then reached forth hi
| arms for the babe. Jack kissed thu
child and handed it to him and stood
looking at 1t wistfully until they were
swallowed by the throng.
| We passed 4 church. The door wa
| omen. A few candles burned dimly
Without OH the stone steps blacl
ROBBED priest stood. crucifX in air
chanting. About him few Of tn
| faithful knelt His black locks wer
blowing in the rising breeze. His eye
were upturned. Upon his calm fac
was written. peace, be STILL
So we came to a corner, where Jacl
paused and caught my arm. His fac,
was without color. CHASTITY in tn
weird light of the new day. His voice
was scarcely more than whisper
His eyes shone like those Of one wht
has staked his last cent upon the turl
of a wheel and knows the issue is lif
or death.
"Tom," he cried, 'look! cannot
| cannot He covered his face witt
his hands. He was trembling. A chill
ran past CRYING for its mother.
Look where"' asked.
He glanced at me dumbly and raise,
his hand to his head. then lowered il
A red blotch cleaned DULY on III
brow at the edge of his hair. His fill
gers were red,
"Tom"-hn was on his knees, griT