Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-12-29
A CHALLENGE, AND WHAT CAME OF
Y ANNA II. LAW son.

The former was the young mistress ef the
house. and the latter her most intimate friend
They were like sisters 10 each other, and shared
everything in common
Eva had recently engaged herself to young
man named Frederic Lee; and, as the ladies'
were wholly unreseryed in their friendly in-
tsreourse, the betrothment was now the subject
Of conversation. ..zs..e-' $3.50
Il have heard it said that Mr.. Lee il par
simonious; even miseriy." remarked Florence,
with privileged freedom; and in that case,
Eva, you Will lead most sorry life. L am no
advocate for extravaganee or improyidence,
but stingy man is almost invariably tyrant,
and by no means the proper person TO make
woman happy" -
Il agree With you in that, FIorsncs ~ re-
spOnded Eva; bat most emphatically deny
the application in this case Frederic is care
ful and economical, admit-for he has laud
able ambition to get ahead in this world-but-
nothing more; and would far rather have
him that way than be made to feel that he was
more generous than just, more free than wise. >"
"Why, Eva. Fred. Lees stinginess is pro-
verbal among all the young men Of his sc-
quaintance ~ exclaimed Florence. 4" have
beard several speak of it in no complimentary
terms"
Indeed" responded Eva; s' and did they
say in what consisted his stinginess? ?"
"Certainly, my dear. he's never ready to
spend as others do" rejoined Florence, quick
that as what ii amounted t"
" But that does not constitute stinginess ~
said Eva, calmly. IF he will not squAnder
his limited means in idle and useless dissipa-
tion he is more prudent than parsimoniOus,
aud far more deserving OF credit than censure.
Mr. Lee enjoys himself in all reasonable and
rational ways, / feel certain; and is never
close handed when the call is Of deserving
character Nor is he at all backward in con-
tributing TO the enjoyment Of his lady friends,
as you yourself we'll know. But let me ask
aquestion, Florence, probably that will throw
some light the subject. Does Mr.. Lee
accept Of any faVors from bis friends, which he
does not show a willingness to reciprocate?"
"Oh no be neither gives nor receives; and
makes il n practice to refuse all invitations to
participate in those pleasures generally so con-
genial to young men of his age"
ssThen ii seems that Mr.. Lees stinginess Is
but a Misunderstanding between himself and
his friends in regard to the true meaning of
the word '" said Eva, with undisturbed sere-
nifty. "His friends think that because he will
not consent to treat and be treated be-
lisye those are the terms, my dear-because he
will not actually squander his means and injure
himself both in body and reputation, that he
Is stingy; and he thinks differently, and with a
true manly Independence, conducts himself
according to his own impressions. Isn't that
Just 50, Florence ?"
"WeII, yes, perhaps il is; but still be might
be little more social and liberal; and yet not
hurt himself And il don't follow, either, that
he must become really dissipated, as you seem
10 think, Eva Now, for my part, feel Ger.
tain there must be something in it more thar
We can see or such a report would never have
got into circulation. Still, have nothing tC
charge against Mr.. Lee myself, and wouldn'I
have you think so for anything. / speak only
for your own good, my dear. Sdngy mel
always were my aversion, however, and I'd I
hundredfold rather die an old maid than linl
my fate with one who bears the suspicion o
such character"
"And 50 would 1, Florence :" earnestly re
spOnded Eva; " but think you are mistakeI
in regard to Mr.. Lee; and / fancy, you hay
been led astrsy by others who do not prompt.
appreciate his motives"
"And, suppose, you think that you do un
derstand him."
Ihope so; and, to prove my words, III
make you challenge"
"WeIl, my dear, what is 1t like? I'm opel
TO conviction; and, therefore, agree to anythin
reasonable"
At that moment something about the perso
Of FiOrenes appeared to attract Eva's particu
lar attention.
''What is it, Eva?" inquired Miss Cary, in
stantly noticing the circumstance.
"What beautiful new bracelet you hav
got" responded Eva. Let me look at il. !
gift from papa, suppose ?"
"Oh, no; Dick Freely gave me that, with pa
pas consent, Of course" -
Richard Freely, it may be well to remark
ca paSSaRt was generally looked upon as Mis-
Cary's most aSsiduous, and, indeed, most AZ
ceptable sHitOr. ..
.AOf course" said Eva "And so Dick Freel
made you a present of this,' she added, turI
ing the bauble over and over. Ii Is yer
handsome, and must have cost fifty dollars, .
least. Dick is very generous"
Just as free as water, my dear, And, lik
me, Dick hates stingy people most consumed
ly."
He hates Mr.. Lee, them" rejoined Eva,
she handed the glittering bracelet back to h
friend. - mo- ..... ..E
"oh, no, not hate him, Eva, by anymeans.
exclaimed Florence, in a deprecating manne
He thinks him very close, though, and vel
queer, too, for young man"
Well, must say, Mr.. Lee never goes
such lengths as that; nevertheless, I'd be wi
ling to make you handsome present IL, up(
trial, my Fred should net display the most re
charity"
81 accept the wager, Eva," rejoinsd Flo
ence; mot out Of any particular dislike TO M
Lee, nor from any especial regard for N
Freely, but simply with view to test q
young gentlemen, and satisfy ourselves B
how shall the trial be msde?"
IN tell you!'' said Eva, who forthwith Q
tered into full description OF her little pla
- Fred, she added, inconclusion, will be he
this evening, and We can put him to the Il
ut once"
Il" So We can, my dear
The scene changes.
Just about dusk Of he sane day on which &
and Florence held the aforementioned cony,
sation, two Ene-looking, handsomely -attir
young men aeeideutally met together on {
CORNER Of cross streets, few squares from I
residence Of the aforementioned young lad
They were Frederic Lee and Richard Freel,
They stopped, shook hands, and passed
usual stereotyped compliments.
81 suppose you're going to Mas Darcy
Lee" said Freely.
OF am, Dick, was the quiet reply.
I'm bound there. too, my fine fellow
dropped in to see Miss Cary awhile ago, q
was teld that I should end her at Miss Darcy
whittier l was vending my way when
chanesd to meet Fine girls, both. Don't
think 30, Lee!'
"I do, Dick"
Excuse me, Lee; but, now. don't I,
really think Miss Darcy seems little too 3
fashioned, trifie too print"
SHOT TO my eyes, Dick, though she may
some othersp r -4