The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1875-01-16
Select Storp.
EVA WHITNEY.

AN II w AAA4 Ho4h
9 Please, give me Ave cents, sir; l am
so hungry and coldl" said little girl, as
she approached an elderly looking gentle
man on one Of the principal streets in New
Orleans.
He stopped aud gazed on her beautiful
face and then gave her some change.
How old are you, and what is your
name?" asked the gentleman, who seemed
to take great interest in her.
"My name is Eva Whitney, aud am
eleven years old, sir, said the little girl.
Have you any parents?' p
@No, sir; my parents died about three
years ago
"Who takes care Of you ?"
"No one, sir, am compelled to beg
for my daily bread"
"Where do you reside ?"
"No. 525 R-Street.n
al will call on you tomorrow afternoon
at three o'clock. win you be home at
shat heur?"
" Yes, sir
"Very well"
So saying the gentleman left the child
and wendcd his way homeward. II may
be well to state here that his name was
Lpcien Crawford, of the firm Of Crawford
4 Son, commission merchants and cotton
factors, aAd that he was one Of the wealth
lest citizens Of New Orleans He arrived
home, and while his family were seated
around the tea table, he related the cir
cumstance above described, and signi6ed
his intention Of adopting the little girl.
"Whatr exclaimed his wife. "Adopt
a child of whom you have not the slightest
knowledge and run the risk of bringing
disgrace upon our good name"
"She is a sweet little girl, May, and |
am sure we shall never have cause to
blush for her."
"what is her name, father?'' asked
his son, Walter Crawford.
EVA Whitney"
"That is very pretty name" said
Walter, with boys passing interest.
"Humphp said Mrs. Crawford, indig-
nantly. ''Is that any reason why your
father should adopt her?"
"There, wife," said Mr.. Crawford,
soothingly. "Say no more about the sub
ject now; but when you see the little girl
i feel sure you will like her"
And so the subject Yves dropped.
The next day, at the appointed time,
Lueien Crawford stood at the door Of the
house where little Eva lived. 1t was sit
uated in thickly settled locality and was
in very dilapidated condition, fairly
leaning over with age. While he was
gazing up aud down the street, the door
opened and an old woman made her ap-
pearance.
"Does little girl called Eva Whitney
live here r.
eyes, sir" said the woman, in sharp
voice.
Can see hcr?"
81 suppose So, was the uDgracious
response.
While this conversation was going on,
Eva, who was in a back room, went timid-
ly to the door, and inviting Mr. Crawford
in, conducted him along rather dark
passage to her own little apartment
"well, Eva, how are you to-day r said
Mr.. Crawford, as he seated himself on a
rickety chair.
II am very well, thank you, sir" said
Eva, shyly.
"Who was that old woman who opened
the door for me?"
my landlady."
"She does not seem to be in very
good humor.
"No, sir She has just been scolding
me because l owe her some rent. She
treats me very badly; she said that If |
did not pay her tomorrow she would put
me out into the street"
As Eva spoke, the tears rolled down
her checks, and she could not suppress
her sobs.
Never mind, Eva; don't cry said
Mr. Crawford, compussionately. "Ill
take you away from here, and give you a
good home. How much do You owe the
landlady ?"
Three dollars
eTake this money and pay her aud
come with me"
"0h, how very kind Do yon really
mean il sir2p cried Eva, eagerly.
.0f course ! do. There-rnn along.
How can ! thank you for your great