Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1912-12-06
By ETA w. PIERCE.
CHAPTER H-Continued).

Mercy went to a cupboard in the
wall and drew from it her store OF
provisions-a jug Of milk and a loaf OF
bread. Moll pounced upon both with
the ravenous haste Of famished dog.
When she had satisfied her hunger
she arose and shook herself.
81 s'pose you'll give me a place to
sleep in. Mercy" she queried. you
won't turn me out into the streets,
though have put you to shame?"
Turn you out?" echoed Mercy and
there was something strangely pitiful
in her pale face; how can 1 do that!
Whatever you are, whatever you do,
am your child, you are my mother;
nothing can change our relation to
each other, nothing"
The passive despair of these last
words were not lost upon Moll. She
turned fiercely on the speaker.
who's been trying to set you
against your mother?" And then, rip
ping out an angry oath, you've been
set against me always-yes, from your
cradle. When think Of it, I'd like 10
throttle you! Its more torment tnan
hungering for drink-than standing up
in police court and hearing your SEN
tence. Who gave you leave to despise
your mother? You used to shrink
away from me when you were mere
baby-before you could fairly talk
YOU used to scream and cry, even
then, when tried to fondle you, and
you've got the same spirit still; it's as
If you thought your flesh and blood
were of different make than mine"
Mercy stood leaning against the ta-
BILE whereon her work lay, the lamp
light glancing off her gold-tinted head
and colorless cheek, the tears over
spreading her violet eyes.
Nothing can set me against you,
she answered. firmly, "but your own
misdeeds. Have you not suffered
have you not made me suffer enough?
Think of what my life has been, moth
er. When was a child you used to
turn me out to beg from door to door.
If 1 came back to you empty-handed,
YOU beat me; If people pitied me
and gave me money, you spent II tor
drink, and left me to freeze and starve.
I cannot remember a time when you
did not drink-a time when had FOOD
to eat or clothes to wear. You used 10
say to me, You have proud blood IN
your veins, girl; it must be put down..
I don't know what you meant, but
am sure you were glad to see me suf-
fer. And when grew older-when
could earn a little by picking rags, by
curling feathers from the shops, by
any work that was offered me, wasn't
II still the same? Didn't the money all
go one way? And yet it is not you
that 1 blame-it was not you who were
cruel to me-what mother would be
cruel to her child ?-but that demon
which has brought you to want and
shame, which has made us two tonight
the most forlorn creatures in all this
great city"
Moll stared darkly at the speaker.
Gospel truth" she muttered hoarse-
Iy, but what would you have? Did
you expect me to make lady OF you?
to work for you, teach you, bring
you up in the way you should go, like
a pious mother? I'm not pious; never
was, never shall be. liked better to
keep you down in the mire-yes, did,
I'll own it. once made an expert
ment at being lady myself, and that
was enough for me. Yes, I've abused
you, Mercy, know it; I've made you
ashamed of my very name thousand
times, but"-and here fierce gleam
leaped into her bloodshotten eyes
don't you pretend to judge me. What
do YOU know of the causes that first
drove me wrong? Many a time I've
fled to drink to keep myself from 60
ing mad with thinking. You talk glib
~ of your own suffering; if 1 should
tell you what mine has been, you'd
hold your peace forever!"
~ do not want to judge you; l do
not want to talk Of the past at ALL
said Mercy Dill; and the look on her
pale young face might have melted
nedTl OI SlOIe, pul OLily ~ NS0 sON
yes upon my knees, to have mercy
now upon yourself and upon me, and
quit the old ways. Will prayers move
you?-will tears move you? Speak to
me-look at me, mother! I will work
for you night and day; I will love you
and take care of you. Oh, you will dc
better, will you not? You will bring nc
glad no longer to keep me in the mlre!
Tears choked her voice. She was
down on her knees at Molls feet, hel
lovely arms clasping this haggard-
sim stained mother, her lovely face
full of passionate pleading. Moll shook
her off wildly.
"That'll do, Mercy| can't bear 1t
Yes. I'll be better-I will, so help me
God! I'll quit drink. You can tell the
Mission folks I've made up my minC
to reform; they'll be coming round tt
talk with me when they hear I'm bacf
from the Island. There, get up OFF your
knees. Don't kneel to me; you make
me feel as if a hundred devils were
pricking at my heart. The goodnes:
was born in you, somehow, just as th'
badness was born in me. Let me III
down here in the corner. I'm worn ou
now; tomorrow, perhaps, I'll talk witt
you. again.
Mercy arose to her feet.
you have promised, mother" sh'
faltered, with a dry, choking sob. "ant
you will keep your word-say that yo'
will"
:Ill keep my word-be content!
answered Moll. impatiently; and thel
she helped herself to some clothes from
the bed behind the curtain, tosset
them on the floor, took off her gar
ments and laid herself down upon he
impromptu couch with low, unpleas
ant laugh.
ITS better bed than an open door
way or the floor of station-house, Ell
Mercy? But time was when slept ol