The weekly Shasta courier., 1873-05-03

our horror, he answered Mays whining ap-
peal for money in the style of the Friend Of
Humanity to the Needy Knife Grinder in
the Anti-Jdcobin al give thee sixpence !?
| will see thee hanged first"
"What do you mean by coming and kick
ing up such row as this, and disturbing
the whole neighborhood he angrily de-
manded to know, looking at me as though
he would eat me alive, muller and all.
You know it's against the law, and it's a
great outrage to keep those children in the
streets at night without any shoes and stock
ings on. in order that you may get money to
buy rum and get drunk. If could see an
officer, Id have you arrested"
Mag gave tremendous tug at the skirt
of my overcoat (both girls held corner of
the coat when we were singing or begging),
and we hurried off in search of more sue
cessful renue for our operations, leaving the
irate old gentleman to continue his explosion
by himself.
Once more on Broadway, and in the open
space at its junction with Sixth Avenue,
suggested that we should try to collect a
small crowd around us in that thronged To-
cality.
Yes, an get took in by the cops" said
Mag, in sorrowing tone. Y cure fine
boss, you are" she added &; "why can't yer
leave it all to me?'
Once more recognizing the fact that / was
in the company of first class artistic, told
Mag to do Just what she thought best-that
left everything to her superior Judgment.
THAT'S right, old 'un," she rejoined, in a
patronzing tone; now we'll just work
down to the Jacksin Club. That's always
worth somethin'. Give 'em Irish songs, an
they'll put up directly. They're all Irish
there, an there's alters some on EN- stand
in on the steps"
So we made for the Andrew Jackson
Club, the great resort of the members of
the O'Brien party, and, as was to be expect
ed those election-times, four or five men
stood talking on the steps. We gave
"Taras Halls" and Wearing Of the Green
with what the musical critics call " fire and
precision" Two of the men gave Mag a
ten-cent stamp each, and third gave her
six penny pieces-a perfect mine of wealth.
We were just on the point of beginning a
third song when an officer, attracted by the
singing, came round the corner of Thrtieth
Street. Cheese it'll" whispered Mag at
once, and we skunk away, the officer follow
ing us and saying:
You'd better quit that, or I'll lock you
all up" We did not reply, nor did we wait
to be locked up and, after following US for
half block the officer turned on his heel
and retraced his steps.
On reaching the Union League Club, sew
eral gentlemen were standing outside the
door. Being very quiet locality, Mag de-
termined to 90 for them, and, after striking
our very best medicant attitude, Mag plain
lively chanted "The Baby was Sleeping,
the Mother was Weeping"
Cant you sing anything more lively than
that?" asked young scion of the aristoc-
racy. Sing Meet and Chandon,' or
Down in a Coal Mime"
But Mays watchful eyes had caught sight
of a venerable looking individual in the back
ground whose kindly eyes were beaming
charity and benevolence at her.
ave only knows religious songs, sir, u
said Mag, with we'll assumed humility and
innocence, replying ostensibly to the young
man, but looking piteously and talking at
the benevolent-looking old gentleman behind
him.
"Why, you sang Down in a Coal Mine
just now" l thoughtlessly said in an under
tone.
Cheese it, old 'un, or you'll spile all, y
she whispered.
What judge of human nature was that
child
The old gentleman came forward with his
right hand in his pocket, and asked me why
I Eopf tho ohildron ont 80 latp
Before could reply, Mag put in, Be
cause we amt got money enough to pay for
nights lodgin )" at the same time timid-
ly holding out her little grimy hand in a
suggestive way.
The old gentleman was taken by storm.
He drew his hand from his pocket and hand
eG me quarter of dollar, on the promise,
freely given in the huskiest of voices, that /
would at once take the children to some
clearinghouse.
"Get them out of the streets, for God s
sake, on such night as this" he added,
speaking very earnestly.
The young man, for whom Mag would not
sing Down in Coal Mine," supplemented
the quarter with ten-cent stamp, and we
went on our way rejoicing.
AS it was then getting late, and was al
ready in half-frozen state, in spite of the
extra warm clothing had put on, and as |
had, too. as much experience in curbstone
singing as | wanted gave the children the
seventy five cents still owing to their moth
er and all the money-ninety-eight cents
we had collected during our wanderings,
and babe them hurry home. They both said
Goodnight, old 'un," with the supremest
Indifference, evidently treating the whole
as matter of business, and the next mo-
ment they were lost in the darkness.
As sat warming myself over my fire and
slipping some hot brandy and-water on my
return home, could not help laughing over
Mays injunction, Cheese it, old 'un or
you'll spite all" when she was so diplomat
cally playing on the benevolence of the old
gentleman at the Union League Club. 1t
reminded me forcibly of the following lines
from Cruikshank's Omnibus" written on
Charles Young as Rolla:
"That child would Rolla bear to Cora's lap.
Snatching the creature by her tiny gown,
He plants her on his shoulder.-All, all clap
While all with praise the Infant Wonder crown,
She lisps in his ear Look out, old chap,
Or else In, 5lo,oed if you don't hare me do'cn'
-Appteton's Journal