The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1884-11-13
"A Darling. .
BY EARNEST GILMORE.

| m WO gentlemen, friends who
had been parted for years, met
csySa in a crowded city thorough
rs fare. The one who lived in
the city wss on his way to meet
a pressing business engagement.
After fe W expressions of delight,
be said:
''well, Pm off. I'm sorry, but it
can't be helped. will look for
you tomorrow at dinner. Remem-
Der, two o'clock, sharp. I'm anx-
ious for you to see my wife and
child"
"only one child?" asked the
other.
"Only one" came the answer
tenderly-"A daughter. She's a
darling I do assure you"
And then they parted, the strang
er in the city getting into a street
car bound for the park, whittier he
desired to go.
After a block or two, a group of
five girls entered the car; they were
all young and evidently belonged to
family of wealth and culture-that
is, intellectual culture-as they con-
versed well. Each carried a very
deliberately decorated lunch basket;
each was sttired in very becom-
ing spring suit Doubtless they,
too, were going to the park for
spring picnic. They seemed very
happy and amiable, until the car
again stopped, this time letting in
pale faced gIrl of eleven and a
sick boy of four. These children
were Shabbily dressed, and upon
their faces there were looks of dis
tress mingled with some expectancy.
Were they, too, on their way to the
park? The gentleman thought SO;
so did the group Of girls, for he
heard one of them say, with look
of disdain:
81 suppose these ragamuffins are
on an excursion, too."
81 shouldn't like to leave my
door if / had to look like that.
Would your" This from another
girl.
mo, indeed! But there is no ac-
counting for tastes. 1 think there
ought to be special line of cars
for the lower classes"
All this conversation went on in
a low tone, but the gentleman had
heard it. Had the child, too? He
had glanced at the pale face and
saw tears glistening in the eyes.
Then he looked at the group of
finely dressed girls, who had moved
as far from the plebisn as the limits
of the car would allow. He was an
CRY. He longed to tell them that
they were vain and heartless, as
they drew their costly trappings
closer about them, as if fearful Of
contact with poverty's children.
just then an acclamation-
"Why, there is Nettie! Wonder
where she is going him
to look out upon the corner where q
sweet faced young girl stood beck
onlng to the car driver. When she
entered the car she was warmly
greeted by the five, and then made
room for her beside them. They
were profuse in their ordinations
and questions.
"Where are you goingP' aske d
one.
ooh, what lovely flowers! Who
are they for?" questioned another.
"Pm on my way to Belle Clark's.
She's sick, you know, and the flow
ers are for her"
She answered both questions at
once, and then glancing toward the
door of the car, she saw the pale
face girl looking wistfully at her.
She smiled at the child, a tender
look beaming from her beautiful
eyes; and then, forgetting that she,
too, wore a handsome velvet skirt
and costly jacket, and that her
shapely hands we're covered with
well fitting gloves, she left her seat
and crossed over to the little ones.
She laid one hand caressingly on
the boys thin cheek as she asked
interestly of his sister:
The little boy is sick, is he not !?
And is your brother, l am sure; he
clings to you"
1t scanned hard for the girl to an
swer, but finally she said:
Eyes, miss, he is sick. Freddy
never has been well. Yes, miss, he
is my brother. We'rve going to the
park to see if it won't make Freddy
better"
81 am glad you are going" the
young girl replied, in a low voice,
meant for no ones ears except
of the child addressed. 81 feel
sure it will do him good; it is lovely
there, with the spring flowers. But
where is your lunch? You ought
to have a lunch after so long a
drive"
Over the little girls face came a
flush.
"Yes, miss, mebbe we ought for
Freddy's sake; but, you see, we
didn't have the lunch to bring.
Tim-he's our brother-saved these
few pennies purpose SO as Freddy
could ride to the park and back. /
guess mebbe Freddy'll forget about
bein' hungry when be gets to the
beautiful park"
Were there tears in the lovely
girls eyes as she listened? Yes,
there certainly were; and very soon
she asked the girl where she lived,
and wrote the address down in a
tablet, which she took from q bead
ed bag on her arm.
After riding a few blocks the
pretty girl left the car, but she had
not left the little ones comfortless.
Half the bouquet of violets and hy-
acinths was clasped in the sister, 9
hand, while the sick boy, with radi-
ant face, held in his hand precious
package, from which he helped him
self now and then, saying to his sis
ter in a jubilant whisper:
"She said we could eat 'em all
every one-when we get to the park.
What made her so sweet and good
to us2 She didn't call US ragsmuf-
fms, and wasn't afraid to have her
dress touch ours; and she called me
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