Years rolled on, and the slightly built girl was developed into the beautiful woman.  She occupied the second position in the work-room, and her love of dress she was enabled to gratify to its full extent.  Many a young man lingered about the door of the shop at night, in hopes of catching a smile or some mark of encouragement, but Sally’s heart was free, respectful to all, but showing partiality to none, she passed on scathless through many temptations that might have proved too strong for many older than herself.

One night a strange event occurred.  As she was hurrying home, and had arrived within a few yards of the door, she stumbled over some object in her path, and it was with much difficulty she succeeded in saving herself from an awkward fall.  It was too dark to see what the object was, but she ran into the house, acquainted her parents with the event, and accompanied by them bearing a light she returned to see what the obstacle was.  Across the pavement was laid a young man, about her own age, in a helpless, perhaps a dying state.

“Poor thing! what’s th’ matter wi’ him?” sed her mother; “Tip, lift him up an’ hug him in th’ haase, an’ see what’s to do!  He’s somebody’s poor lad.”

Tip was not quite so strong as he had been, but he was yet strong enough for the emergency:  and lifting up the slim young man, he bore him into the house and laid him on the longsettle.

“What does ta think is th’ matter wi’ him?” asked the mother; “Is he hurt?”

“Noa.”

“Why, has he had a fit thinks ta?”

“Aw think he has, an’ it’ll be some time befoor he comes aat on it, for its a druffen fit.”

“A’a, tha doesn’t say soa, Tip! does ta?” “Its ten thaasand pities to see him i’ that state!”

Sally approached him half in fear and half in anxiety, and after scanning his features, which in spite of the dirt and the drink were yet handsome, she turned to her father and asked, “What shall we do with him?”

“We shall be like to tak care on him, lass, wol he sleeps it off aw expect, for we connot turn him aat, an’ if we did th’ police wod lock him up.  Awve suffered a deeal i’ mi lifetime wi’ my lads, but awve niver seen one on ’em i’ that state, an’ awd rayther follow ’em to th’ grave nor iver do it.”

For hours they sat beside the sleeping man, and when it was far past their usual time of retiring to rest, they looked at each other, mutely asking what would be best to do.

“Father and mother,” said Sally, “it is time you went to bed; I know you cannot bear to miss your accustomed rest.  I will watch by this young man until he awakes, and so soon as he is fit to leave the house he shall do so, and then I can get an hour’s sleep before the shop opens in the morning; I do not think he will sleep long now.”

The old couple did not like to leave her sitting up, but seeing no reason why they too should watch, they left her with their blessing and retired to rest.