The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1915-03-25
A Strange
Windfan
By MARGARET c. DEvEREAUx

II the interest on the mortgage and per-
haps pay something on the principal"
1t was very courageous for the lit
tie girl to talk so, but 1t awaited little
or nothing. She WAS going to the city,
since there was nothing for her on
the farm--only mouth to feed. Her
fate was to sew all day for pittance
| making shirts for a department store.
Her mother knew very well what was
in store for her daughter and burst
into tears. Martha put an arm around
her, then, taking up a bag in which
l4were all the clothes she had in the
world, went out to where wagon was
! waiting to take her to the station.
Ben Hughes held the reins, and he
looked as sad as Mrs. Eldridge.,
Don't feel bad. Ben said Martha,
laying her hand on his sleeve Some
thing will turn up
II don't see how" he said dolefully
wen both work hard and save all
we can. Some day I'll come back, and
We'll be married and live here with
mother and all be happy together
! But Ben refused to be comforted.
How many farmers boys remaining on
the farm and girls in the city making
shirts can look forward to a day of
comfort?
On the cars gentleman sat In the
seat beside Martha and entered into
conversation with her He listened
sympathetically to all she had to say
she told the whole melancholy story
/, and seemed affected by it. Not long
before they reached the city he opened
! a bag and took out a package.
"Would you mind taking this to your
ROOM" he asked, keeping it for me
till | call for it? | expect to go on.
not completing my journey for several
days, maybe weeks, maybe months,
and l don't wish to carry it with me.
You know where you are to go, don't
your
package with pleasure"
She gave him her address, and when
the two rolled into the station the
gentleman left the car ahead of her.
She saw him as he passed through the
gate and noticed a man tap him on
the shoulder. take his bag and, putting
4 his arm through that of its owner,
walk away with him.
Martha asked q policeman to put her
or a car to take her to her room and
as soon as she was in it. took some
writing materials out of her bag and
wrote her mother that she had a fine
large room-it was 6 by 9-and in
pleasant location-reaIly in a dirty
street-and she would get ON very
nicely. She also wrote Ben not to be
discouraged for she was sure some
thing would turn up to enable them
to realize the dreams of happiness
both had at least tried to indulge in. |
Then she sat down on her bed and |
sobbed as if her heart would break
Later she unpacked her bag. first |
taking out the package the gentleman |
had given her, which she put in one
of the drawers of the little bureau
there was plenty of room for it-and
then went out to a restaurant to get |
fifteen cent supper
Several weeks passed. and she heard
nothing of the gentleman who owned |
the package. When as many months
had gone by and he neither turned up
nor sent any one for the package she
began to think that he must be max
ing a very extended trip. Meanwhile
she was making just enough money to
keep her in clothes-ragged ones-and
in food, not sufficiency OF Of good
quality. But she kept up a stout
heart and wrote her mother and Ben
cheerful letters.
One day while sewing in her room
there was tap on the door, She
ia >oI{a
entered and handed her note which
contained an order to give him the
package. She did so. She didn't
know enough to take a receipt, nor did
the man give her one. Martha saw
several other men in uniform outside
the door and wondered why so many
of them had come. When they went
away she resumed her sewing
The next day the same man came
again. He was alone this time and
told her he wished her to go with him.
She did so wonderingly in carriage
which she found standing at the door
below. The carriage stopped at the
door of bank, and she was taken to
a private Office in the rear. A gentle
man with gray hair and whiskers was
SltllIS at IOSeWOOu ucSk. anu sew
eral men in uniform were standing
near. What surprised Martha most
was to see the man for whom she had
been keeping the package.
rs this the grip asked the man at
the desk of the man Martha had met
before.
Yes"
Martha Eldridge," said the former
this gentleman is or was the cashier
Of the n bank. The package he left
with you contained bills he had APP
and. knowing he could not
get them through the station gate. be
eft them with you He was arrested
md finally agreed to turn over the
missing funds on condition of not be-
ing prosecuted and that the reward of
'ered for the return of the funds be
given to you. Please sign this"