Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-12-27
AwArERCRUs TIA.

WATE8CBE219 TIA.
We were requested to be at the Agricultural
punctual. Mr.. Groom received rs. He IL L.
who. in passing through Farringdon Market,
seems first to have thought of the state of the
flower sellers of this huge metropolis. Himself
Young and engaged in business, he saw how
eificult it would be to be Of service to them;
six years labor was before us, in three tables
spread for six hundred guests. One of the long
galleries of the enormous hall was devoted TO
the feast; and the whitest Of linen and freshest
Mr.. Groom told US that he believed hundreds
OF these poor souls had not only been aided in
their sore temporal need by the mission he had
been permitted to begin, but had been spirit
ually turned from darkness TO light. We we're
struck by one remark he made with much sim
plicity. at is strange" he said, "that those
Who have given up Sunday trading have not
been losers, but rather gamers" Nothing could
he more skilfully or quietly rgsnized than the
proceedings of that evening. A: about quar-
requested TO take their places. Each had ris-
arts, and twelve chairs on either side. A wait
ing gentleman attended on every pair of ladies,
so there Was no confusion.
At six O'Clock the doors were opened, and a
motley crowd streamed in. Women and young
girls ontnumbered the old men and youth,
though both sexes and all ages were represent
bred and fifty Juvenile vendors are to have q
separate treat shortly. Infants, however, were
numeIOuS-
Hard must have been the heart that did not
ache as those SIX hundred i'll clad, detected
looking human beings filed down between the
tables, and quietly took their seats as directed.
Although dressed In their best, and scrupulously
clean, poverty peeped out at every corner, and
nowhere more than from the crumpled flower
OF faded ribbon, meek attempts at adjournment.
They looked neither to the right nor left, but.
as IL conscious Of observation, cast their eyes
downwards.
When all were seated, the urns were brought
n orr vNlo nnA hotwu
the narrow table. AS they were furnished with
two taps, cups were rapidly filed. The male
aids disappeared, and returned with plates
bread and butter, one of which was placed be-
fore each guest. Grace being sung, the pro-
jector invited all to the enjoyment Of the meal
provided, and gave permission to those who
could not eat the whole of what was set before
them to take the remainder away. This was
received with visible appreciation.
Eating and drinking restore the weary frame
and revive the depressed spirit. We all grew
more cheerful by degrees, and conversation
flowed. At our particular table we talked much
and even laughed frequently. As the 90 unine-
succession of cups, the wan faces kindled and
confidence succeeded. In tea, truth. We soon
knew one another's histories, and, although
have seemed sadder Without the viands. Three
mothers with infants in their arms sat side BY
side, and, as mothers do, compared their babes
Two were ;. tolsIably aonrishing but the third
small, wizened, animated corpse. 1t must
have been nurtured on gin and opium, for no
natural influences could have produced q
creature 80 little human. The mother, too,
was pale and thin, with a detected face ter
ribly suggestive of the gin palace. Contrasting
with her was a large, red-faced Irish woman,
front Of her bonnet. She was as voluble as the
other was reticent.
~ sell flowers she said; bless yer heart, left
the basketful outside when Icame In for me tea.
II mat. o1 faVn To rntxv L.
they'll wither by to- morrow. I've had twelve
children, and ones at home, out o. work i'll,
and there's grandchild watin' for me cake,
and plenty o. mouths for all have"
"My baby have eat all my meat % said one of
the mothers, proudly.
"And my little girl have hal half my cake,
because she means to take all hers home to her
brOtherIn said another almost exultant
good sized plum cake was given to each
guest when the first course was disposed of.
AS rule they seemed to eat sparingly, as if
too weary to be hungry.
81 always had a small appetite, ;" said one
apolOgetically, as she slowed away the greater
portion OF her meal for the children at home;
.'but hare enjoyed bit of meat. It's quite
treat for them as never gets it. Yes, sell water
crosses, and walk all day long. The worst of it
is, my shoes are all in hOles.S
This wonan's manners and appearance were
especially pleasing and suggestive of "better
days" She talked much to a lad who sat next
to her and was the only one at our portion of the
table who ate with avidity The contents OF his
piate disappeared quickly, as Old cup after cup
of tea. This youth had a singularly handsome
and interesting face. The profile was classical,
and the eyes large and deeply gray. 1t was a
countenance you could not forget. He might
nave been eighteen or thereab0uts, and spoke
good English,
81 have had no work for fortnight" he said;
81 don't know where to get any. l sell flowers
because have nothing else to do. can neither
read nor write. l have no home and no friends
since buried my mother"
Tears came into his eyes at these pathetic
rAv6a II lz.l
Mission House, where he would not only receive
spiritual teaching, but be put into the way of
hnding employment. He promised to do 80;
but he kept his large melancholy eyes fixed on
on our LETT on our right was young girl about
his age, but apparently more prosperous. She
could speak Of the Mission, for she belonged to
at one the other night all about the blind. None
OF them can see at all. Isn't that dreadful ?''
She was evidently contrasting her own roor
neatest of those with whom We came in contact.
She had on light print gown and brown hol
land apron, both spotlessly clean. She was fair
defiant.
az sell flowers. 1 get up at four, and walk
three miles to market. We must be there early
or the flowers are not fresh. When have made
up my punches L walk about and try to sell
them. Sometimes l sell them all-not ALWAYS
We don't get much profit at best" she con-
tinued.
ono, indeed" interrupted q neighber; az
sells crosses, and walks four miles there and
four miles back to get em. You see they're
perishable, and what's left won't do for the next
day. That's how We lose. 1 was lucky to-day,
and sold quickly, or 1 couldn't q come here
Yes, walked here too, for can't afford to ride
III "a walked over twelve mile to-day; but I've
enjoyed myself"
"'ll tell you Why we sell flowers and creases,"
said thru. ave must do something, and We
can buy lot for threepence. We couldn't set
up in any other trade without money. Three
o. my children sells 'em, too; the eldest is turned
nine. They'll have their treat soon, poor dears.
What do we do In winter when there's no flow
ers and creases? Why, we starve; that's what
we do"
Here it may be well to state what Lord
Shaftesbury has done to avert this terrible star
walton evil. He has lately given capital for the
institution Of loan fund, by means of which
coffee stalls, baked potato ovens, stalls and
urns for the sale Of stewed eels and soup, and
barrOws and baskets, with q supply of winter
necessaries, are let out at two shillings per
week. When the borrower has paid the full
value Of his loan--i. G., between two and three
pounds-it becomes his own property.-Cas-
seWs.
Tragedy Pure and Simple.
The best TRAGEDIES which thew civ us at tia