Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-12-29

The tones Of her voice were sad and husky; |
and the young men stopped, Lee hating first, |
however, and Freely following his example, as
If he could not we'll helr it.
Dick paid but little or no attention to the
women, but Fred regarded them earnestly and
| attentiyely.
"Did understand you to solicit charity ?"
said the latter, kindly addressing the mendi-
cants. care you really in wsntR'
| 'Painfully so, sirp' was the smothered reply.
"My mother is very old and feeble, as you may
see, and my own days are swiftly passing away.
We have no friends at all to keep Us, and
nothing TO depend on but the cold charity of
the world, worked as long as I was able;
bat this winter could not g nd a great deal of
1 employment, and what little I could was al
most too much for ne. We live in garret,
sir. and never pass day that we do not expe-
rience the direst want" sighed the woman, in
conclusion.
The old story, Loci abruptly, cried Freely
you'd meet a dozen such in every square Of
the city; and they II all tell the same winning,
pitiful tale Don't give en- cent. I won't
III they're "a bad oil as they say they are, let
'em go to the poor house that's the place for
all such vagrants."
"You and I, Dick, have different notions on
good many subjects" responded Lee; ''and,
contrary to your advice, l shall aid these poor
creatures to the best Of my ability. If they
deceive me, the punishment will be theirs, not
mine" Turning to the women, and at the
same time drawing some coin from his pocket,
| he added
"Here are couple Of dollars for your pres
ent needs; and if you will call at my place Of
| business, No. - street, and inquire for
Frederick Lee, will see if something more
cannot be done to aid you"
Z" God bless your kind heart" simultane-
ously responded the TIVE women, in deep ear
nest tones.
; Wont you give them trife, Dick?" add.
cd Fred, turning to Freely.
; "NOt farthing, Lee l can lay my money
out to a better account than that, / tell you W
"well you won't you won't, suppose"
rejoined Lee; but, in such q case, think the
money is well invested"
And don't, my boy; so there's just the
, difference between us"' responded Freely,
. turning upon his heel and moving off.
After again requesting the mendicants to
, call upon him, Lee followed his selfish, heart
. | les companion. ..
With very little conversation, and that nearly
| all on the part Of Freely, the young men reach
| ed Miss Darcy 8 residence and were shown into
4 the parier, with the assurance that the ladies
9 would make their appearance in a few minutes.
Immediately after parting with the young
4 men, the beggar wemen turned down the cross
| street out of sight; and il was strange to see
q what great and sudden change came over
| them. The decrepid old woman Strengthened
= herself up, and both appeared to forget their
= | feebleRsss and regain new life. With rapid
r. steps, they fastened through a small, back
= street to the rear of Miss Darcy's home, which
i they entered through the backyard.
Need tell the reader that the beggar-women
I were personated by Miss Darcy and Miss Cary;
u or that the former made good her word in re-
u gard to Frederick Lee and Richard freely I
n think not.
= Upon reaching Eva's apartment, the young
n girls hastily threw off their disguses, and pre-
9 pared to 60 down into the parlOr.
o "Wel!, Florence, are You convinoed?' de-
: manded Eva, meantime.
yl Entirely sou was the emphatic response,
% and If ever any one says, in my presence,
a that Fred Lee is stingy, l shall contradict
K them. As for Dick Freely-he's a brute, and
Oh I'm done with him 30
"I am pleased to hear you express such ssn-
timents, Florencen' responded Eva, " and
IN hope that our adventure will open your eyes
70 fully. Now let US 20 down stairs: but not q
y word or sign about our eseapade. 1t was rath-
or imprudent upon our parts; and the censo-
D. rious world might not give rs proper credit fol-
our practical experiment"
IL I'm be quite dumb on the subject, my dear
Eva!-though shouldn't wonder at all if
N were little huffy to Mr.. Dick Freely Jus
10 to think Of the puppy spending fifty dollars fol
bracelet for me, and refusing pittance to 6
IN poor, sick womsnn'
u "Oh, but he's so generous SO free !" re-
spondsd Miss Darcy, with a slight laugh.
D. Don't! now don't Eva, If you love me 90
The young girls tripped down stairs and intc
Te the parlor; and an hour or so afterward, Flor
A ence departed for her home accompanied By
Freely, whose escort, under the circumstances
g. she could not we'll refuse. Frederic Lee, how
ever, remained all the evening with Mis-
K, Darcy, but neither before, nor after the de
lss parture of Florence and Freely, was any refer
10 enoe made to the mendicant women. Richard
Freely probably did not give the matter
ly second thought-Frederic Lee, too, frequentl.
n exercised his charitable feelings to think thu
ry subject of any particular importance-and th
Oir for
topic. Both the young ladies were littl
ke cold 10 Dick however; and, but for fear Of be
ID traying their secret would probably have dis
played their feelings still more pointedly.
as On the plea Of a headache, Florence excuse,
Ter herself for not inviting Richard Freely int
the house, as usual and the next day-bein
=" really a woman of right mind and good prin
er. ciples-she returned the young gentleman hi
nv bracelet, and respectfully, but decidedly, de
clined the honor Of his company, in any othe
TO respect than as an acquaintance.
IL Disk was very much put out at this unlooke
ON for turn in events; but though he tried hard
cal he could not change the fat that had gon
forth. At length, he yielded 10 his fate an
NJ. went his way, and without even the satisfac
Az ton of knowing what had led to his dismissa
H. A short time afterward, Frederic Lee an
Re Eva Darcy were married, and the happy your
ant bride never had the slightest reason to regrt
her choice Of husband. In few years, LIE
an became a man Of means and influence, an
m
are own pleasant freside.
"a, Florence Cary soon found another suitor; b,
her new admirer was entirely different ma
from Freely. A year or 80 after Eva's ma
riage, she too, gave herself away-csnfden
-. this time, that she had made good selection
a. and would not be disappointed. "a
rsd Hes just like your Fred, am sure ~ 81
,hs whispered to Eva, on her wedding night; an
the happily, after-times proved that her Mor
dy were prophetic.
He was like Frederic Lee; and two bett
ihs men, or two happier women, the sun new
shone upon.
va Subsequently, the gentlemen were let In
> the secret Of the little event which have ju
recorded; and, at the time Of the revelatio
r Eva returned to her husband the two dollar
.nd always carefully preserved, which he had
- ki IDLY bestowed upon the Soi 6isant beggal
The money, with a considerable addition, W
afterward handed over to a deserving charit
As for Dick Freely, reader, he married
heiress, spent her money, broke her hea