Connecticut western news., 1910-08-04
HUMAN
 INTEREST
 STORIES By William Henry Spear.
A Mothers Love
[" Have you seen Mary?"

Mary is my little girl. She left me one night, long ago-it seems so very, very long ago-and I haven't seen her since. Left me for a young man, almost stranger to her old nanny. They came here to the city, it was said are liviR somewhere here, but I don't know weere.
 "A dear little girl was my, Mary. She used to love her old nanny, and she was the only child I had. Tom, my hus- band, died when Mary was little thing, and her and I, after that. lived up In the country alone-alone on a little place back thar, just my little gal and I. It was mighty hard scrimpin' some times, to make all ends meet, but done it. took in washin' and ironin'. and sometimes went out by the day to work for the neighbors, and took the money I got to educate and dress my little gal.
 "I gave her pretty fair education. She went to deestrict school and learned fast, and if I do say it, she was as we'll dressed as the best gals of our little town.
 "One day there came there on his va- cation good-looIin' young fellow from the city. He was up thar several weeks and he took quite . shine to my Mary. God bless the little gal
 He used to bring her books and candy, and go walking with her, and seemed to think heap of her. and I know she did of him, for one night when I got home from work at neighbours, fopnd the house dark and cheerless and wondered why.
 "There was no little gal to meet me down at the gate, like there used to be. When I got in the house and lit the light, about the fust thing sse was a note on the tables note from my little gal. It said she had gone away with tbat city man she loved-gone and left her poor old mammy alone and comfort less.
 "That was nigh on to three years ago, and haint seen the little gal since. If she only knew how bad her old nanny wants to see her If she would only tell me where she is. so could sec her once again, seems as if could die in peace.
 "I've travelled the city. over thinkin' might find her, but she's gone and it's always the same-always the same 1"
 The careworn mother bowed her head amid her rags and bitterly wept Night was falling upon the ghetto. The street lamps began to twinkle The night life in the city had begun.
 The old mother had travelled long and far. Her shoes were worn and her gar ments torn and threadbare. WearilY she sank upon doorstep and began rocking her lean body to and fro. In her eyes was far-off look. Her cheeks were pale, pinched and haggard. Hun. ger and poverty were pictured there.
 Past her swept the night life of the oity. Mischievous urchins paused to look at the old woman, and then passed on, as though they had seen upon those features that which hushed even their jests.
 Men. as wretchedly clad as she, shuf fled past, unnoticed and unnoticing 4 street piano, half block away, ground out medley of ragtims airs, anda grouI of children danced upon the sidewalk i1 step to the music.
 All that afternoon the old mother had been about the ghetto, telling her story to all who would listen. always winding up with the inquiry:
 "Have you seen my Mary?" '
 Groups of girls passed, young in coun tenance, but old in experience. WomeI looking at her said, Poor old woman she's daffy Thinks she's got a daugh ter somewhere down here and IS trying ing to find her No one knows who she is, but she's harmless.
 Eleven o'clock struck from a distant tower.a Still the old mother sat upor the steps undisturbed. Her hat had fal len off and her gray hair. shading facs once comedy, was tumbled and awry.
 The night wore onl Slowly struct the midnight hour But the ghetto never sleeps. Forms fitted here and there. Down the street came a group oi girls. It needed but look at those painted faces and gaudy attire to Glas: them among those who toll not, neither do they spin. ....
 Along the street policeman sauntert on his rounds. He approaches thG doorway where the old woman sits.
 "Coms, come, my good woman 1; thii will never do; you must get move or out of here p'
 The woman stirred not. A suddel flare of the electric light fell upon fac' serene in its awful pallor. The police man raised her arm. It dropped heavily by her side. She was dead.
 The group of young women had reach ed thet scene. One, leaning forward peersd into that hfeless face, then, witt a scream of recognition those who heard I will never forget, exclaimed: - y