The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1877-02-14
THE rAMRoURINE GIRL
AN INCIDENT OF THE STREETS.


from Germany; and IN the front OF 1t
there were grotesque little figures that
moved ON wires. A pert little lady, in
a red skirt and blue bodice, danced n
horhpipe VITA dashihg young soldier
in q scarlet uniform, with Awhile cock
ade in his hat, and prim-l king old lady
sat in an armchair, constantly taking
pnches of snuff from painted box IN
liner hand. Then there was sprightly
little dairymaid, VINO tripped ap aud
down with a pail OF milk poised ON her
head, and basket OF eggs on her arm
ana an d grenadier, in q blue coat and
yellow breeehes, who came nimby up,
ana held out his cooked hat TO passers-by
Tor pennies.
II was very pretty sight to see them
moving all together; and, whenever
Karl and Bettlne stopped to play, a
crowd of children were sure TO collect
around them. But they put very few
pennies into the old grenadier's hat, and
when Kari and Bettine counted their
money at night, they very rarely found
enough to get their supper, without
thlnkIng of having any breakfast or din
ner next day, except what some Kind
person at whose house they played
might give them. Then every week They
mad to put aside a little money to pay
the rent for the little, dark, cheerless bit
of room they mad, IN the very dlrtlest
part of the city; and they were so AFRAID
Ut being turned out OF that, that they
very often went without their supper,
when they had gained very little money
in day, TO save that little for their
landlord.
Now, Tor more than week, Karl had
been III; this was the first day he had
been out, and they had been obliged to
spend all the money they had Tor lood,
and the rent was uue on the next day,
and not penny to pay 1t With Poor
little Bettine'S heart was almost bu rst-
ing with grieI, as she looked AT Karl, SO
pale, and thin, and feeble, anu thought
what would become OF him when tney
were turned out OF their miserable little
room, with no shelter, and with no one
to care tor them in all the great city.
They had always been poor; but be-
fore their father and mother died, the
poverty had not been so hard to bear,
Tor they did not feel 80 lonely and desc
late then, and their iather had been so
hopeful and courageous, cheering them
always with predictions or happier
times.
All al once Karl began to play "Home,
Isweet home.n The organ was very old
and out OF tune; but, for all that, the
air was very sweet and touching, and,
though Bettine had heard it 30 often,
the great tears began to roll down ner
Icheeks, and blinded her eyes SO she
could not See her tambourine, nor the
group of childish faces that surrounded
her, She had no recollection Of any
home, save the dreary little attic where
she slaid at night; she could not remem-
ber the sVate ,lanu" for which her mOtu-
er had wept and pinned her life away;
I.but that tune always made her sad
made her think how terrible 1t was TO
have not even the memory OF home.
suddenly the door OF The great house
Iopened and a richly dressed young lady
came out. She was evidently in haste,
Tor she did not even glance at the little
tambuurine girl, nor at the figures in
KarPs wonderful organ, but swept hur-
Irledly down the steps, to the elegant
carriage, with glilterlng trappings aud
sleek bay horses that awaited ner.
But, as she passed, something fell
from her arm, at BetLine's feet, drop
ping with a metallic ring on the pave
ment. Bettine stopped and picked H.
iup-a guild bracelet, set around with
stones Guat gIittered aud flashed in the
sunshine 30 that they aim ,st blinded
her eyes. She turned quickly to look
tor the lady, but alreauy the hveried
coachman had sprung TO his seat, and
The carriage was wniriing down the
. street lar out Of reach oil her voice.
Then she glanced at The group gath
cred around the organ. All the eyes
! were fixed intently on the moving
, figures, and no one had seen her pier
itup.
Here was relief from all their troubles
Il She knew the bracelet was valuable; i
would pay the rent, and buy Tor Karl
| arI ha cfraia n
= Ing food, and medicine, and freedom
from care, which lie SO much needed
For one moment fierce temptation
ragged in poor BeLtine's heart; but she
thought oil her mother, and put it proud
, Ily back. No, she could die OF hunger
worse than thai, could see Karl sutfel
lor food and for shelter-buL she coult
not keep what was not hers.
, Just then rosy-cneeked maid put he
head out of a basement window of the
great house, to Gee tue hand-organ. Bet
!, tine stepped toward her with last beat
, ing heart. -..
that lady VINO just went away lrou
here, and where she liYesW she asked
= timldiy.
The girl stared at her in astonishment
,'Inat is Gen. Faulknel's daughter
: and sue lives OUT at Norwood. But VIVA
! would the like u you be after askin
about her for ?" she said.
Bettine diIn't stop to answe
, liner, but ran back to Kari who had Co.
y lected all the pennies he could, and was
strapping his organ again to his back.
"Wnat were you asking about thi
:, llady forr he said, as she walked alont
, by his side.
II found her bracelet, Karl" she an.
swered; and sne took the bracelet from
; her pocked, and showed il TO him.
He uttered a quick exclamation o
L, surprise, and flush lIghted up his sal
y low cneek.
"Bettine, those are diamondsW b,
!, said. "Tney are worth mint Of money
We can pay the rent, and have enougl
/. for food and clothes. You need neve
: be hungry again, my poor little Bet
/ tine."
: "But it isn't ours, Karl" said Bettine
"Yes, it is ours" he answered stoutly
a 'sNobody saw you pick IL up. aud wha
is it to those rich people? Only an orna
ment, whose loss they will forget in al
, nour, while to US it is life ITSELF"
"What would mother have said
lKarl?' said Bettine, reproachlully.
4 Ia ol.n