Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1867-08-14

ALlCe EVANS.

]
"CLosrFIsr, Close ii, give us a penny !" shout
ed a band Of ragged urchins to an old man who
passed them in the alley where they were at
play.
The individual so addressed was broken down
old man, and Judging by his apparel, seemed to
merit the appellation given him lie was dressed
in faded grey coat, pants Of army blue, a slouch-
ed black hat, and low shoes, decidedly down at
the heel. The coat possibly, had been wied him
by some rovolutionist, and bore unmistakable
signs Of decay his pants were bought Of a re-
turned soldier for trihe the slippers pick
ed from a coal heap, and were regarded by him as
"quite a windfa" " We do not know how he OBJ
tanned his hat; it could not have cost great
sum
Close6st was the ma me- he always went by; no
one knew what his real name was,-no cne cared.
Every one disked im, and every body thought
he was rightly named. and took no pains 70 in
struct their children 10 show him respect
On being addressed by the noisy children he
turned and bade them hold their noisy tongues
he had no pennies, and Il he had they should not
have them. Ills answer created rebellion among
the group, and one. wore daring than the rest,
hurled a stone At mHk Tue example. once set,
was rapidly followed, and as the old man walked
up the street the stones flew thick and fast around
him. BY former experience he knew remOustrance
would be useless, aud betook himself to running
towards bis shanty which was near by. As he ran,
his slippers seemed 10 lose their power Of adhe-
rance and fell one after the other. from his feet
Before he had time TO pick them up, the bold boy,
who had thrown the first stone, caught them, and
threw them In the opposite direction cryng:
50 Hurrah for old Closelst's shoes aint they fine
ones?n
q" Hurrah! Hurrahl" echoed the group, as they
tossed them high in the air
MY shoes my Shoes give them to me" cried
Closefst
"a pennya shoe, and you may have EN- !" they
answered.
'I'd give YOU one II had it but | spent the
last for loaf of bread. lpray you give my shoes
to mes
just then miss came down the alley, and as
the slippers fell az her feet she picked them up aud
carried them to the eager old man. The miser
cutched them and put them on as securelya as pos
sible. "S'pose you want penny dort your
queried he. '' haven't one for YOU
"Oh no replied the girl " have only done
as ! would be done by. wish for no pay;' and
leaving him she pursued her way.
Though clad in cheap calico, the young girl
one whose face you would not soon forget. She
might have been fifteen years old she was rather
, tall and we'll proportioned; her hair was a rich
wavy brown. shading forehead Of great beauty ;
her ewes were blue her cheeks rather pale and a
little carcworn; her lips well formed and possess
sing a peculicr sweetness. She was the daughter
OF a Mrs Evans, widow lady, who supported
herself by plain sewing. Alice was her only child.
She had received careful training aud such aivan-
tages as her mothers limited means would allow.
She had been taught to practice the golden rule,
and to show kindness unto the lowest. Thus it
was that the mser received more kindness from
her than from the other children in the alley.
Closeist, having adjusted his shoes, went on
until be to the dilapdated building that could
scarcely be called house, It being worse than ms
dress, If possible. Probably he believed that all
things should correspond, and, therefore, did not
wish his house 10 be richer than his dress. Far
ther up in the alley a house more comfortable
in every respect; tins be rented for much as 1t
would command. Once or twice he had thought
of occupying it himself, but avarce would conquer,
and be remained in the old place
t think most persona had. they seen him every
few nights bring OFT his bags Of gold, aud count
the glittcring cun would have thought his strict
prudence unnecessary. Night after night he
would gloat over his treasures with doting pride.
Where they would go, or by whom they would be
possessed after his death, never seemed TO enter
r his mind. Perhaps he iancIed he could carry
them to the grave, and retain them during his iu-
/ ture state.
! After Closeist entered his house he searched his
closet and finding there dry crust he made way
with it, He then took of his shoes, aud after
fumbling in a bag he found some pieces Of string
with which he made them secure TO his feet.
q " / don't mean to give the saucy imps a chance
: to throw them about again quoth he. The
4 girl not like the rest Of them. l wonder who
r She is d? She had a fine face
And there rose before his eyes a vision of a face
c fair that Of the child, now as wrinkled
q and wan AS his.
j " | trusted her. he murmured, " but | never
$ did or will another.n
Another vision sil--that of a sister, the play
mate of his boyhood.
e - / would not have shut my heart against her -
j he thought; " but | shall never see her again
$ When Alice Evans returned through the alley
IL 4
e bled aud with them a conner, boy of mani,
appearance, who talking earnestly with them
Before Alice reached them, she heard him say -
f " She did just right; it is you who are mean
4 and not she"
/ The boy who said these words Robert Grey
a schoolmate OF Alice's with whom she de-
cded favorite. As she approached he left the
group, offered TO carry her bundle and walk with
= her towards home.
"You think | did right then do you, Robbie ?
5 said she.
= /" Indeed | do Alice. just because he is a
c cross, grabbed old man, ! don't think we ought
I to show him dsrespect, We do not know what
II he has had to make him what he is But you are
n always Just so kind said Robert.
= Having reached her humble home, Alice thanked
+ the boy babe him good night, and tripped into
their little sitting room. She found her mother
a waiting tea for her. Although everything wa
Q plain. the room had cheerful air. Plants bios
. homtu IN tne WlnuOWi anu lnt lta-iduit lookcu III
J., viting.
+ After inspecting the work Alice had brought
they sat down to partake Of the simple repast -
After tea a knock was heard at the door. Mrs
: Evans answered il and their landlord entered -
l. lie came inform them that he wished their tene
l. ment for his brother, and that they must seek an
e other at the end Of the quarter. He sorry tC
II disappoint then but felt that he must oblge tn,
It brother. With many wishes for success aud
It pleasant home he withdrew.
l. Mrs Evans was considerably disturbed for mel
ther she nor Alice could think OF any room who'
;, they could hire.
t One day, when Alice was returning home from
% school she noticed that the family who had occu
n pied Closefsl's house were leaving it.
= ~ wonder why they are leaving thought she
" and if he is going to let it again, or live in
himself? I'll speak to mother about it'
Mrs. Evans thought she would try to obtain th
tenement, and told Alice she might call ON the OLE
10 man and inform him about it when She came iron
school, as she should be 100 busy to do herself
y In accordance with her mothers request, Alic
< stopped at Close6sts habitaton TO inquire if hi
" house was to be let and il he would lease it to he
mother The miser scanned her face sharply, an
IN muttcred something to the effect that he would cal
r and inform them OF his decision.
y In short time he called, aud the house wa
f. leased to them, provided they paid their rcn
As punctually. Mrs Evans told him she would d