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About The Hesperian / (Lincoln, Neb.) 1885-1899 | View Entire Issue (March 23, 1895)
ur:Wi:rjLi mm "- ,, . ' - ; :--y THE HESPERIAN 5 covered with bright green calico and said: u Oh, so yon'ro a little Irish maid, are you?" And when he canio back to her in a few minutes and found the little black head down on the desk'and heard the stifled sobbing, he was very sorry indeed, only ho didn't know just what was the trouble. Ho put his head down and told her not to cry, that ho did not mean anv harm. But well, he walked ab ruptly away pretty soon, with a red spot on his cheek. Had Showbnll been trying to avenge all the wrongs of her people? At any rate, she had put the whole forco of her strong littlo arm into the ship she gave him. IV. "Old Haggerty " lives in one of the oldest hovels in Pig Alley. She does not live alone. She has a dog and a cat. They are company enough for her. They do not worry her when she goes out to her washing in the morning, and they are tho best of boon companions when she comes homo at night. They ask no questions and they do not hide tho black bottle from her. They do not rctqrn blows for blows, and Fiend howls when she lifts her stick and Tarn springs back and forth like a ligur uver the old rocking chair when she chases him. It makes her laugh loud to see'him. Then when tho sleep comes on her, Fiend and Tarn understand and sleep too, all'threo together in the straw on tho floor. She is not very old; her hair is just a little gray. If she would comb it often it would not look so bad. She is wonderfully straight for a washer woman. Sometimes when she puts on a clean gown and apron, and washes her face and makes her hair smooth sho looks as if sho wore somebody's mother. Pig Alloy folks call her Mrs. Haggerty then, and Fiend ana'.Tam are afraid of her. , On Sundays, once in a great while, when the black bottle is empty and sho is dressed in her best, sho gets down a littlo torn album out of tho cupboard and looks at the pictures there. Then sho tells Fiend and Tain all about tho littlo boy apd girl, how there eyes were so blue and their hair so golden, and how good and sweet they always were. Then she goes to tho cupboard again and brings out a little shoo and dress. Sho shows them to Fiend and Tarn and crys over them. She puts them carefully away again so sho will know where to find them the next time. Because she cannot remember always, sho could not work then. If the black bot tle were only not empty perhaps sho can get it filled sho must get it filled she is terribly thirsty she will die if she cannot get a drink Mistress Malono will surely be good to her she will see it hurts her to cry so and remember Tho next morning sho is t01d Haggerty" again. Flora Bullock. IN COMMEMORATION OF MAUDE BERKEY. I Written three days after her deccaso. The young life faded at the close of day; At last the deep dark mystery was done: Life ceased and death held undisputed sway, And yet life's victory had just begun. Three days ago at eve and she was born, Born into life most fair and wide and deep; Yet sorrow lingers at the tomb to mourn, Not knowing she has waked again from sleep. Grief dips its broken shell in bitter springs Because her face is hid from earthly sight; But faith and love weave crowns of all sweet things .To place upon her brow in realms of light. And weariness was changed to rest that day That she might bear the great new life begun That she might rise from clinging mould of clay To mansions fairer than the summer sun. Three days ago she only ceased to die; For victor's crown she then exchanged the cross: And then the first was hushed the human cry For life unbound, unstained by earthly dross. As we remember her our love and trust And strength and good desire are formed anew; As we remember her., from sordid dust We rise to thought more pure and life more true. A Friend.
