The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1881-02-04
BEGGARs.
BY MRS. EFFIE.


"Plesse, sir, just one penny; it's so
cold, and want to go home ?"
A wan, worn child's face was turned
up towards Alfred Dayton sntreating-
", and she held out q little claw-like
hand that WAS quite benumbed with
January frost.
"Get out the way, you internal beg
gar" and he raised his rattan and dealt
q singing blow upon those fingers.
She did not cry out, but her deep,
brown eyes seemed turning to fire, and
her blue lips grew tight over her chat
tering teeth.
Alfred Dayton strobe away. lie
slapped the pocket containing his pert
monte complacently, and hastened to
the dinner TO which he was to partake
as guest. He forgot the freezing child
when he threw himself on his cousins
great arm chair, by the side of the
glowing CRATE. lie chatted merrily
with Eunice, and entered into conver.
satiOn with Frank concerning bank
stocks.
They were brother and sistcr-Frank
and Eunice; she seven years his senior.
She was an old maid, certainly, but ev-
erybOdy dearly loved her. with her
kind smile. and large heart. As for
Frank, he had never thought of any
housckeeper save Eunice, and although
a year older than his cousin Alfred,
he had never thought of marriage.
Thus they lived peacefully, happy, as
the days glided by.
"Poor thing; come in, little onev'
and Eunice few to open the door her
self, and to draw the child within.
Such a small, pinched creature she
seemed, standing there in the spacious
parlor, looking eagerly at the leapins
| flames.
"Warm yourself, DEAR" and her ben
efactor led her to the CRATE. What is
your name, little one 2''
"Please, ma'am, I live in Frazer's
block" she replied confusedly. After
shewas quite warm, she gathered her
thin shawl about her and went forth in
the bitter cold. How thinly she was
clad
"Another hanger-on of the town."
drawled Alfred. as the shoes, bursting
out at the toes, took themselves of the
steps.
81 pity them ALL" said Eunice ten
derby. "Such abject wretchedness is
painted upon their hungry faces"
"She stopped me on the streets, this
morning, while on her begging tour :;
but, ha, ha! don't believe sh. will
ever trouble me again"
Eunice sighed deeply, but did not
respond, as dinner was waiting them.
And where did the little one 60?
Down the long street, down alleys and
by-ways, until she reached locality in
the immensc city. where only gaudily
dressed women faunt boldly about the
outside doors, and half drunken men
collect against the railing. She disap-
pesred then up one of the rickety stair
ways.
Alfred went from New York on a
threc-years journey. He was the only
son of a very rich man, and that man
being very generous, he was allowed
full play of his rowing propensities.
He was not surprised when he heard
that Eunice had taken one of the poor
ou.casts, she was always befriending,
to her own home, as her own daughter.
Alfred had always expected that: it
came of noticing beggar brats.
Meanwhile Eunice had clothed and
fed her little charge until her thin
checks filled, her eyes grew brighter,
and her step more elastic. She was a
wierd creature, SO old and grave in her
ways. She would haye been shocked
had Frank tossed her in the air, and
the idea of her engaging in children's
sports was simply ridiculous. She main
tanned dignity SO unusal in children
that she was very attractive and inter-
estlng. Frank looked for her face when
he came home, and Eunice watched for
its morning smile.
Five years had rolled away, and the
child, Bertine. had grown woman.
She was gloriously developed, graceful
and beautiful. The passing years had
drawn her more closely TO her benefac-
tors, and them more within her love.
1t wss clear, starlight evening. The
snow lay cold and glittering beneath
the vast expanse of sky. The wind
whistled gloomily beneath the vast ex-
panse of sky. The wind whistled
gloomily, and the snow still fell in
great, feathery fakes. Never mind, they
did not heed the outside world at Nr.
Dayton's. Frank was liz his slippers
and dressing gown, listening to the
deep, rich tones produced BY Beriine's
fairy fingers, as she lightly swept the
pearfy keys; and Ennice was busily
sewing and smiling as she ever and
anon glanced towards the hanasorne
couple. They were her treasures. She
could not tell which one she prized
the more highly. Whist cared they fol
the wird and weather with their genial
home and hearts!
a .a5a fling al tisa doer interrupted
<<c aud ha},,kr ihozells. anf