The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1865-10-11
THE BEGGAR GIRL.
BY MARY KYLE DALLAS.

From careful observation, we have
come to the conclusion that the chief
delightof boys in general is the throw
ing Of stones, Wherever they congregate
window panes and pedestrians heads are
in danger. Nay, we have seen one boy,
without companions, fling pebblea against
fence OF into pool Tor two mortal hours
This being promised, It is not astonish.
ing that the young gentlemen Of worthy
Professor Sticklebat's Commercial Acad-
emyy were occupied at half past three
one Thursday afternoon in war Of brick
bats, not with malicious intentions, but
rather unpleasant effects. In the first
place, three had retired wounded in The
second, the professors flower beds suffer
ed, and in the third, the parlor window Of
Miss Mehitable jenkins had been shiver-
ed, and o bit Of broken glass had entered
the paw Of her pet poodle, Trip, who
howled most piteously.
Retribution awaited the young gentle
men on Professor Sticklebat's return from
q private expedition, involving the dun
ming Of delinquent parent for sundry
quarters tuition, and this they knew, but
at present all was forgotten in the holli-
day frolic. Jones, as captain Of one par
ty, led the attack, and Preston, gallantly
defended the grass plot at the head Of his
division.
A volley Of bricks from the beseigers
clattered amongst the besciged. Anoth-
er crashing through the line of the at.
tackiag party, routed them, and against
the flying missiles, with her face pressed
close to the iron gate, stood little beg
gar girl, 10 such ragged garments that
you might have fancied them made Of old
dishcloths, overlooking the mimic fray,
as ladies of the olden time might have
gazed upon tournament.
She was eagar, excited, deeply inter-
ested, aud privately took part with Pres
toms party.
.Whata nice big boy" she thought,
"tte incest Of them all / hope he'll
beat 'em-I do hope he'll beat EN-"
| And in her excitement, she thrust her
curly little head 10 at the gate. 1t was
an unlucky movement Just then 0
brick from Preston's hand. intended for
Jones Sims, missed its mark, and flying
gateward, grazed the forehead of the lit
tie beggar girl, not seriously woundine
her, but drawing blood, nevertheless
The poor child burst into tears aud siunl
away, smartiug aud giddy, to hide her
self in the roadside bushes and cry. Sht
was SO used to kicks aud blows that she
never thought Of expecting pity. 1t wa
even surprising not to be cuffed for com
planning Of being hurt.
But as sshc crouched there sobbing
some. one bent over her and touched hel
kindly, She looked up 1t was the ig
boy they called Preston
"Where are yon hurt, little girl?" he
said. "I'm so sorry. Let me see-wby
it's bleeding"
"Hullo come back, Preston nevel
mind the young one" shouted a score
of voices, but the by never needed them
lie had lifted the little creatures head
to his knee, aud was examining thu
wound
N don't think it will hurt long" h,
said. ON wash it and see;" and from
the school pump he brought some COLI
water, and wiped away good deal oi
blood and even more dirt with sill
handkerchief.
Then ircul his breast pocket he took
cambrjc one, quite new and snow white
with his name upon it, Paul Preston
in indellible ink, and bound up tn
wound. s .
And then from the same receptacle
drew purse
ado you like gingerbread, sis ?" b
said.
II don't know--I never had any,"
"HeyY Never had any gingerbread
l couldn'thaye believed there was sucl
person In the world. Here come along,
and with the little grimy paw in bis, h
crossed the road, entered small confec
TONERS patrouised by Professor Sickle
bats young gentlemen, and illed the poo
cbild's hands with dainties she had neve
seen, save through glass, before. TIL
sight'of the lavish expenditure almos
frightened her, and she touched him Of
the arm.
"Ain't you spending all your money p
nOh, mol have lots. I say, littl,
girl, you're very poor, amt your"
:, She nodded
"Got q motherp .l..
aNo.p
I "a father" }aa1a
"Nop fs'
"Who takes care Of your"
!, Nobody
"Wheredo you livei"
Just as the child was about to answer
the shadow Of portly parsonage fel
over the steps where she crouched, mum
ching her daintics. Preston looked up
He stood in the awful presence of Prot
essor Sueklebat himsslf, less geniel thai
usual, from the fact that the delinquen
parent had not settled the bills presented
81 am not aware, Preston said th,
professor, Hthat gave my young gentle
men permission to leave the ground o
the academy. Neither am / aware tina
the society in which l find you is exact
ly wha. your father would select for you
Pray explaip.p
"You see, sir" began Preston, "w'
were firing stones and bricks"
',Firingi"