The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1921-09-16

--1-
% LITTLE chiId---the beautiful
" drawn character sketch OF
such q one as the Divine Mas
Ter 50 often chose to hold up as a mod
ol for his followers--this la our hero
Inc.
Thongh not yet fourteen years old,
she could look back on better DAYS
gone by. Then her grandfather was
Nanny and contented and had often
talked OF her angel mother. She had
walked with him In the fields beyond
the city's noise, and they had there en-
Joyed many delightful hours.
Now he has changed He Ii anxious,
worried, and secretive. He often sends
the child on business to the house of
the hateful dwarf, Quilp. He is away
from home every night, returning just
before dny, and Is filled with gloom
Whenever he comes back. The child
cannot comprehend the reason for this
change
She tells this to the sympathetic
Mrs. ouilp, while the monster who has
loaned her grandfather money listens
Mt the door He has supposed the old
man to be possessed of great secret
wealth and to be In the way OF making
much more money IL only he could be
carried over temporary emergency.
But the child's statements to his wife
made the dwarf suspicious. He inyes-
tIgated and found Nell's grandfather
had taken his loans to the gaming ta-
BILE and had lost.
II am no gambler" cried the old
man fercely, when accused by Quilp.
II call heaven to witness that / never
played for gain OF mine or love of
play; that at every piece staked l
whispered that orphans name and
called on heaven to bless the venture
which 1t never did,
He cried out that his winnings would
have been made from evil men and
would have been spent on a sinless
child. Quilp was unmoyed by his an
peais for further aid. He had legal
hold on the old mans curiosities and
other property and brought his lawyer
to take possession OF the premises,
Kit the servant boy OF Nell's grand
father, had angered Quilp by calling
him names, and the dwarf took re
yenge by telling the old man that Kit
had informed OF the gambling.
Early one morning, before Qullp
and his lawyer awoke, Nell and her
grandfather crept softly out and left
their home forever. They had visions
of fair fields and country scenes
through which they would journey
The child had learned that she mus
be the leader, and he followed willing
~. She had q little money, but they
must depend upon charity when thai
was gone.
The first day they made long Jour
ney and were given ride by kind
countryman. They stayed that nigh
at an INN with two Punch and Jud,
showmen for whom Nell had done I
bit OF mending. with them they wen
to the races the next day, but Nell be
came suspicious Of the men and es
capped with her grandfather into tn
open country.
Nearly exhausted by another loni
walk, they arrived at a school play
ground. The schoolmaster kindly tool
them home. and they stayed there
few days, obtaining needed rest.
Continuing their journey, they mex
met with travelling wax-figure show
and Nell 20 favorabiy impressed Mrs
farley. the manager, that she receives
employment. Her bitterest experience
came st this time
Her grandfather fell I'm with som
gamblers and lost nearly all their mon
~. She had a gold coin Of which h
knew nothing. She changed this 4
navment for their nights lodging. bu
swoke 10 find her grandfather robbin
her nurse OF every coin In order =
gamble again. 4 short time later Ne
Heard the gamblers persuade him 7
- sm ne~x Tarfey holding out ia