Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-10-17
8 A L l. Y G r. A Ii A TIT,
Or, Beware of Meddlers.
RY ELrE CARRoII

A L. L. Y " X Is A Il Il i
Or, Beware of Meddlers.
BIZ KATE CARROLL.
II was Saturday and no mistake; a truth
which the almanac declared, as also the day be-
fore, that happened to be Friday; the little wo-
man whs sat in her little chamber weeping,
likewise endorsed the fact with tears and sighs.
"Only one year ago, and was so happy;
now oh dear ," and sobs checked her utterance,
fOF the alarming space Of few moments.
Only one year ago. didn't think then /
should ever be the miserable being am now;
oh no, no. indeed, - she murmured between her
tears and sighs, after an indefinite pause
Just then, the baby in the cradle, on one
rocker of which the troG bled woman held her
foot, opened its eyes; and, as if determined no.
body should Outdo it in the crying business, set
up such loud strain Of music, that it could
not be listened TO unmOved.
So the little mother put down her apron and
took up the young musician, who testified his
reluctance to stop the strain until he was a
mind to, which seemed long time coming and
showed the obstinacy of the young pug's dispO-
sition. The mother didn't look at in that light
but mingling her tears with the young urchin's
groaned-
No wonder You cry. pretty baby, whose
papa don love il any more ~ when, as if as
tonished at the information, or. determined not
tocry when she did, the baby stopped all of a
sudden, and looked as sensible ont Of It's eyes
"a m individual, aged few weeks, is expect
cd to.
precious little fellow is thinking of what its
poor miserable mamma told him, isn't il ?" sho
observed in admiration of its precocity.
The urchin replied by a very swry expression
upon his pretty phiz, as if to say he had not
quite hit the subject Of its thoughts. Then,
evidently thinking she had finished her crying
mt, recommended it with new vigor; kickingits
feot and turning very red in the facO; all of
which proceedings its little parent set down to
the great trouble which had lately befallen
them.
=" Mother will always love her baby, and
never leave it for any other baby, nor woman
nor man, here the comforter broke down. and
the baby, wholanded safely on the floor, striking
It's rosy nose against the rocker, when it cried
the louder, and apparently with moro reason
for so doing than it had previously.
In the midst Of this new distress, n light
quick, prying step entered the chamber, the
door of which skinny hand carefully closed.
Good gracious what ailS the baby" asked
the visitor, in a harsh, dissonant tone, while
casting a nervous glance all over the room.
he fell down, and L don't know but what
he's killed himself, at any rate his little nose
is, answered the young, miserable mother in
the most hopeless voice Imaginable.
- Poor creeters, poor creetersl" responded the
new comer, settling herself on a chair; and her
ridicule on the table, from which she quickly
snatched 1t, and opening the lid with jerk,
pulled out q narrow bordered linen handker-
chief and wiped her eyes several times, during
which she kept up series of snif1es and sighs
highly edifying and pleasant to listen to, and
wonderfully contagious TO the distressed little
mother, who cried and sobbed the louder for
this proof Of sympathy in the thin visitor before
her.
"Such a trying time as baby and have had
oft ever since you were here the first of the
morning"
More tears and sobs followed this announce
ment Immediately.
Don't doubt IL; don t doubt it mite; this
is such deceitful world to live in; so full of
qacksands-" said the visitor, " and pitfalls
interrupted the young mother.
And srtful women"
And vile husbands"
And unhappy wives, y said the visitor, look
ing in the deepest commiseration in the direc-
ton of the cradle.
- Oh dear, oh dear that should have lived
to respond to that sentiment; when only a year
ago was the happiest bride in the world Are
you sure 1t was him you saw ?'' cried the little
woman, ciasping her hands.
Sure-Of course l was sure. Do you s'pose
if hadn't been, could a come over here
and told you about it in your nervous, weak
state No, couldn't done il for a dollar
Ger more But If you think / could, I'Il 90
right away home, and you can pick up another
friend somewhere else, +" answered the indig-
nant and wounded woman, picking up her hand
kerehief and again applying it to her eyes
- Don I go don't go, my dear Miss Grabatit;
for who would console me under my affections
If you should cast me off 30
sspose you could find better friend "
No, know IL would be impossible You
take such q mOtherly interest in me-
Sisterly, you mean, interrupted Miss Ora,
batt, who had no fancy to be thought older or
as old as she was.
"a Well INFANT sis,arIv hr+ -vor,nho-r 49,.
thoughts aren't sound as usual
q L don't wonder at it, Mrs Greer; don
know who could "a stood it as you have" >
IL was only my baby that kept me up - .
= Poor JatherfssS baby" put in the con-
slderate Grabatit, looking askance at its mother
70 see now she took the work. vile Us in this
sense it was =.
"fes, fstherless baby, and husbandIess wife ~
responded Mrs Greer, In heart-broken man
ner.
. You seem so broke down here, I'm good
mind to stay with you, and p'r'aps can sort o
cheer you up bit" said Mrs. Grabatit, re-
moving her shawl from her head and shoulders.
for in these neighbOrly visitations she disdained
the use OF bonnet altogether.
How kind you are Well, if / am TO be-
lisve the sad story that poets and novelists are
always telling, that mans heart never knows
true love, can appreciate the lastingness Of
frlendship, which they as often write about"
"AiaS . aiaihl attempt at cOH-
posure, 50 slight in itself that il Immediately
topPled over, leaving tears in its stead
While Miss Grabatit was folding her shawl
IN it's ereases and laying il on the bed, the baby
with its chubby fists tried to get near enough to
has eyes to wipe EN-, bat instead Of which, il
only reached the little pug nose with the bruise
On the end OF II, which it essayed TO measure,
staring in the meantime at Miss Grabatit, whose
green specs, and singular countenance were the
greatest sights he I'd seen since he was ushered
into existence. ..- .
III could only see with my own eyes his
wIckeiness'
-" Yea ssaldn T. stand sgin-it, Mrs. Greer; 10
don't talk that way" ~
The young wife felt so nervous and excited
che could hardly keep her seat; till warned by
her visitor she had better bathe her eyes and lie
down while, as, in an hour her much abused
husband would come home to dinner; and no
rnusf hY no means sae how nnitnted sha Ind