Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-06-11

that Charley was dead. l felt that some time
he would come back to me.
sros E viii d5eam and faith will trust
hat somehow, somewhere, meet we must ="
And it was the most natural thing In the world
TO look for him as tramp. That last sad
morning was photographed on my memory
and with such broken boots. 1 couldn't give
him up; l wouldn't. l got so tired of mr..
Chandler, with his bland 'respectaoIlity. his
funereal broadclota, and his. high hat, his ever
ready money. and his never. ending remon-
STRANGE and advice. l did so long for dear old
lmpecuntous Charley, and
To feel the arms of my true love
Round NE once again"
What wonder, with mind so unsettled. and
neart so open to Vagabonds that was cheated
and ROBBED and driven to the wall and the
second month came so appalliDgly soon that
l had to get another advance from Mr. Cnand.
Ter.
1t was the most astonishing thing in the
VOL, moIld Inas; atnougn never had az easy mo-
SO quickly. The third month was upon me be-
fore could realize 1t. and it was matter of
gsad surprise to me that l had not before me
MI. Chandler. was not, perhaps, any better
OH, so 1ar as actual money was concerned but
was longer established, and able to get credit
outside always endeavored to treat the trades
people with every possible consideration, and
they were very kind to me-very.
Every body knows what an awful winter 1t
was: ! had never had any experience with
wave started direct from the north pole, ana
came with incredible velocity as the bird tiies.
straight to that doomed boarding house. II
dened the bread, petrlfed the clothes on the
n nhe, pafaiyzed the potatoes, also apples, tur-
nlps, caopages, and everything else that had
put ID oy the Quantity for ecOnomy's sake.
the sun went down On that days wrath.
InIee days after. 1t rose on another, and II the
end Of the world had come with 1t, | should
nave Deen only too glad. Gabriel's trumpet
the step OF Mr.. Chandler that heard approach
ing the door. l knew he had been hunting all
over the house for me, and I had fed from
room TO room. from stair to stair, till at last l
mad taken refuge In the garrett floor, which
the children, the servants, and 1 shared
together.
The awful fact was that the mans house was
ruined. the weather was dreadfuliy against
me. Even the oldest inhabitant OF the board
iDg-house declared that ne had never known
such suGden and remarkable changes Without
word OF warning ike thief IN the night,
the calamity came. The pipes threw off their
icy letters, and burst. The deluge was nothing
tott.
Before anything could be done seven differ
ent ceilings were fresc0ed and tattooed In a
most unhappy manner, seven different carpets
were drencned. and the occupants OF seven dlr-
ierent rooms were hunting me II bay. sent
for the calclminerS, the plumbers, and the car
pet men, and found out how much it would cost
10 PUT Mr. Cnardler's house In order again.
Then lied TO my room.
ceiling like maniac. There was nothing the
matter with that ceiling, for the demoniac pipes
stopped On the floor below.
The stoniness OF my gaze was occaslone1 by
the climax OF my difficulties. How could see
Mr.. Chandler? had ruined his house, Oh Gated
MN out OF MS money. ana unless could go on
plundering and Cheating him couldn't go On
With the boarding. house. II did3st 60 on
coulcnt pay MIR. Chandler: ii / did 90 on |
might only plunder and cheat him the more
never had been good az problems. At school
nad always been stupid with given quantities.
then. jaw
Mr.. Chandler was rapping at the door. l
burst into tears as uniid the bolt, and begged
him TO forgive ali the trouble and expense | mad
caused him. His ceilings were speckied; his
carpets were drenched; the plumber held the
ransom; / was already hopelessly in his debt,
and yet must have more money, or give up and
die.
How much money! said Mr.. Chandler.
money!" Expiring hope began to revive within
my agOnized breast He took my cold hand
within sis own: How much money Will it
house In order for new tenant?o
Down sank my heart like plummet of lead.
locked up In his face. and was startled to find
could almost say heroic: Aunt Maria could
never call that face "w1shy-washy." 1t was
strong and noble. He was evidently not to be
TITLED with. Wnen my miserable confession
was made, ne would spurn me as l deserved
II had only been brave and true from the
first. It was too late now. How hated Aunt
Maria! thought Of the terrible winter OF the
Icy streets, the prejudice people had against
tramps-particulariy so many, six OF us-six.
the twins, the three boys. and myself.
clasped my hand In agony.
cried.
"Come," he replied, with unspeakaple ten
derness-"come out OF this room into the open
garrett. sc! Now the whole world may hear
afraid OF Idle tongues"
Mo-. l stammered, my heart TN nay
throat, for fear one OF the boys should pop his
"You are so innocent" he continued, $50
Tree from hypocrisy and deceit, it is hard to
make you understand that can not any longer
hay done. The wicked innuendoes of sland arinot
tong ues that stab 10 the dark have lefC me but
the one way TO protect you. wonder II 1t Will
ne as h9iy, a as sweet TO you as 1t ls to me?
vile nest Of scandal altogether, and keep
ooarders no longer, out home for q husband,
who would adore you, and would | We aud
cherish your dear little girls as his oW -
He didn't mention my dear little Loys. who
were out risktng their lives at coating that
very moment. What noble. gene GUS, alto
gether perfect Old gentleman he was! II
been the miserable impostor thai circum-
stances had made me, my poor, des)late, Wild
owed neart would have melted to hi q, know.
That heart was deSOlate enough, GOO knows,
out IL wasn't widowed; was sure OF that. The
time for my dreadful confession had come 1t
was so hard to lose the one thing that seemed
left me Just then-hls confidence, his esteem
felt colo and faint and sick.
Dear MIR. Chandler" began, "a home and
a husband would be very sweet to me-" And
Heaven ven was my witness 1t would, only not just
the husband he meant; and was just going to
tell him so, when Bridget put her fro WY head
above the stairs, and SAID q man was below that
wanted TO see me, and wouldn't take no for an
answer. TITS the plumber" said, mOllng-
". 'or the calciminer, or the carpet man. Oh.
Mr.. Chandler, dear Mr.. Chandler, can not face
these peOple!"
"You forget that you have given me the
right to share your troubles" he said.
Come, my dear, we Will face this person to-
gether."
We found him in the parlor-a big, bro ad
shOuldered, splendid looking fellow. with ne n
ulster on, and very becoming hat, and per-
fectly splendid pair OF boots. without a break
his haI ds, and around him were dancing
and bowling like Indians three dirty littl3
"Moments there are, and this was one,
SnaGhed like minutes CLEAN of sun
Amid the black sim0on'S eclipse"
1--WE got q capital position. Kate. in new
company out west. Get the y0unsters ready
as quick. as you can. I'll explain everything
On the way, )" said the person.
"WhGs Is this MANI" said Mr.. Chandler to
Aunt Maria, who had been brought th1thcr by
the Wild yells OF the dear little boys, and stood
IKE pillar OF salt In the doorway. "Who Is