Beverly banner. [volume] (Beverly, N.J.) 1877-1964, 1883-07-14
THE BLACK MANS BLESSING.

"Oh dear exclaimed Nettie Ash.
|ley, as she put on her bonnet and
shawl preparatory to going home. Il
wish we could have real good time
to night.
"My sentiments exactly" returned
Bessie Ames, as she tied her hood
strings in a bewitching bow and sur
veyed herself in the mirror. 81 move
that we three, here and now plan a
frolic."
"Second the notion" chimed in
Gertie Wood "What shall it be, a
candy daub Z"
NO laughed Bessie traces of our
last candy escapade are yet visible in
my hair, although comb and brush
have been vigorously applied"
Listen, girls" cried Nettie, have
an idea"
aFor PHYS sake don't lose it, Net
said Gertie, "but let's hear it"
begging
"Go what?" said Bess.
go out begging" exclaimed Gertie.
"We'll disguise, and go from house to
house, begging for food. 1t will be
real fun"
"You are agenius, Net" cried Bes-
sic; "you will be famous yet.
Probably" said Nettie. "Behold
the future idol of fame working in a
box shop for six dollars a week p
"That has nothing to do with
our proposed excursion" interrupted
Gertie. ',Shall we go or not?'
go by all means" said Bess, whose
eyes were just sparkling with mischief.
"But let's be going home; we can plan
it on the way
The three girls started off in high
glee, and judging by the frequent
laughter and suggestive mods of their
heads, everything was perfected ere
they separated at the doer Of Nettie
Ashley's house. .~-s
Now Girls, be here at seven sharp,
and in costume, mind" called Net
tie as she ran toward the deof.
Had you been ON band at seven
sharp, you would have seen two very
forlorn looking damsels ringing the
bell of the Ashley cottage. Nettie an,
wered the call and the visitors were
ushered in with much laughter, and a
few moments later you might
have seen emerging from the same
house three miserably clad girls, each
carrying basket.
Where shall we go first ?" inquired
Bessie.
"We'fl take Evans avenue; neither
of is acquainted there" responded
Nettie. "They are all rich folks on
the avenue. Then we'll 60 over to
Lee street among the poor people and
see what WI. can beg for our sick moth.
ers."
81 can never tell the story with a
straight face" said Gertie.
But you must. See herel" said
Bessie, as they passed under the street
light. "Look, you must draw your
face So" And the rosey little face as
sumed such a serio-comic expression
that her companions burst into laughter
"Girls!" she exclaimed, in a tragic
voice, how can you laugh in that man.
ner when your poor mother is so i'll
with the consumption, and you have
little brothers and sisters depending on
you for your support, and are obliged
to beg from door to door ?"
"Bess, you are incorrigible,' returned
Nettie. such doleful expression as
that would be fortune to beggar.'
"Here we are ON Evans avenue,
called Gertie. "Now, girls, compose
yourselves. Net you are to go first.
"All right, responded Nettie, "Pll
stop at this big brown house. You two
walk on a few steps and wait in the
shadow Of that big elm.
They did as directed, while Nettie
made her way to the back door of the
mansion. A trembling knock brought
Maggie. the servant girl, to the door,
PLEASE, ma'am," Nettie faitered,
1--WE a Sick mother, we're very poor,
there's no one to depend on but me-
and won't you please give me some.
thing 10 eat 7"
ss.You'rethe sivinteenth beggar that's
been here to-day You all have dyin'
mithers an dead fathers. IF we'd be