Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1875-06-19
When Twilight lets her curtain down,
And pins IL with a star,

When twilight Iets her curtain down,
And pins it with star.
The approach Of night, however, did not
lessen the whIrl aud turmoil but on the COLI
trary seemed to make the wheels of trade re-
vuve with increasing energy. | had paused
on a corner. where the tide of travel appeared
to reach lis height, and noticed standing near
me a little girl, "f some twelve summers, VIII"
glanced n,rvuuSly at the rush Of vehicles np
and down. She WAS quite pretty child, vi b
sunny hair and brignt Inc eyes aud carried
Oh her arm small basket containing half u
duzeu nosegays. lqueslioned the tte strange
ling aud found her t. be one Il the many
flower girls &" with which great metropoli,
teens. Her parcrtS were both dead and she
lived with an aunt who had started the little
fairy-quite unwiSely Thought the flower
selling occupation.
And have you sold many Of your nose
aays?' asked.
"Oh! Np!" she replied her blue eyes half
filing with tears at the su lden rec,ll ctipn oi
the poor trade dnrin. the day. "aunty WAS So
sick yesterday could not have time to make
many buttnu-h lies : brought out ten with
me this morning, and have only sold four -
bat please, sir she aided "wil Won take
me across the street with you ?-l am ont late
Tonight aud want 10 get home, but am afraid
to cross 10y myself"
Taking hold Of my offered hand, she trusted
herself to my protection and we braved the
torrent of ratlling wheels, reaching the other
side IN safety thought it entirely too late
Tor the child to be nur aud had cpucludeI to
walk home with her but she anticipated ny
wish
Please. sir. it is 50 late. anl anntv's house
is only few squares of-@Ill you please -
She stopped short an hung down little face
that fairly hurped il bushes
why. yes. my little one, of course will
take you t. your home
We walked ou, aud tried To adapt my con-
ver,atiou To- the small mind. The innate mo-
d,sty and tiuiliiy Of my youthful acquaiut-
ance pleased me. aud our halt before this l.
auuty's dnnr iaund rs the hest Of frievdS
Here. saiG / 90 give me theft 'werS in v"ur
basket | will sell them for You" aud taking
the remaining six bouquet>. placed hill ~
the sbapcy llile white band as hade her
.o"dhyc and lett my petite friend in very as
! ui>hed state.
TIE next day. we met quite accidentally on
a less noisy street where found her selling A
pretty bunch of roses. hurlerel with srranium
leaves. to a lady After the transaction was
over. >he came mp To- me
"Oh Good Sir Plelse ID not he angry,
bat auuty said last night that you paid me too
much frr the flowers. and here Is the
Tut. ut. AS some currency was offered
% j., my little friend goins to treat me that
way?"
mo. no, sir. Won are too good for me to
want to offend you-hut auuty-"
We'll, well. leave that particular anuty to
me-" ,aid "iou keep the money gave
you and this, too, which is what | realized Oh
The dowers'
She did nnt ike taking the additional a
mount but uu nay promise to call aud see her
afterwards did, 10 speak in
very strong terms uf the treatment Of her little
consented tn do 50.
." And here" said. handing her my written 1
-ard. You keep this, also, and if ever your
flowers do not sell quick enough, bring them I
Ia me
We parted. this pretty. timii little creature /
td brave the dangers "f a vast city IN pursuit I
lf few dimes. aud l. to wander on, wonder /
ng at the strange reasoning of some who ri>k /
he sacrifice Of Innocence FOR the sake at Gain.
and yet warmly repel the advances Of Kind /
Intentions. who
Pursuing, far, the Shadow, lose the Substance.
The young philosopher aud philanthroPisi
ION n small scsle) of twenty years ago. i now /
IN elderly gentleman WIN has crossed over 20
the shady side Of fifty. Asyet bachelor, aud |
ss such svsrss 70 the siidy gayeties Of FASH