The Evening critic., 1885-04-01

WHICH WOulu HhNb SuTpIlobu tuO9b .OI buo
objects thereof, who saw In my hero only n
stalwart countrYman, ruddysfaced and
bTown.fisted.
Presently, as he came to an opening be-
tween two buildings, he stopped suddenly,
look Of amusement and Tenderness max
ing him almost handsome.
In the shadow Of tall brick block sat
little girl-a mite Of creature-her black
curls snarled all about a wee, gypsy face,
with great black eyes.
BY her side lay an old brown straw hat
and a small red violin and bow.
The child's dress was miserable and filthy
in tho extreme, and her poor little toes
pcepcd from gaping holes in her shoes,
which were at least two sizes too large for
her.
But sho looked as happy as queen. aud
was talking and laughing softly to herself
and singing little snatehes Of songs as she
stuck some big daudolion blossoms into
little mound OF dirt.
WIN saw, with great throb OF pity, that
she was one Of the minstrels who wander
about the city streets in the summer; she
was so youug-not moro than : OF S.
And while ho stood there looking at hOr
she glanced up and saw him.
Tho happy, dehonair look vanished Ia.
stAntly, the dandelons were scattered aud
she spIang TO her feet, violin iu hand, aud
sho stood before him.
"Museek m'seer 2" she said, with an un-
mistakable French accent.
Aud then, before he could answer, she
broke into u light, swaylng song, accom-
panyipg herself upon her instrument, and
ending with a quaint little curtsy, held
out one very small and very dirty hand.
VIII, feeling in his pockets for some
pennies, inquired;
What Is your name, chicken
"Tin, mseer."
"Tih?n
"Oui, n'soor Tiphano-Tif."
And seeing the smile in his eyes the
midget laughed, showing a double row Of
small whito teeth, aud began another French
song, striking into fantastic dance as the
same time, always keeping the small faco,
with its big, laughing eyes and glittering
teeth, turned toward him.
You're little monkey" he said, laugh
ing heartily, as he tossed her silver dime,
which she caught, and throwing him kiss
from the tips Of her dirty iJtle fingers,
turned away and was soon lost to sight
among the shifting crowds.
Tho sun was Just sinking behind the
western hills when Will drew up his team
in the doorway Of the old-fashioned com
Portable cottage.
Further on, half mile OF %, WAS the vii
lage, with tie yzDes on ~ two white
church staepleis gliiisi5ng in The Esn's lKst
rays.
The zhrin piping q iae frogs Gang 10
from the meadow bso0k behi0d the house,
and a nhip-poof-1ill fed sobb!ng through
the woodland.
This was wins honse, and his eyes
frightened as little, tidy old lady 10 q
neat cap aud white handkerchief came to
the door TO welcome him.
Hul ln qnrauO In thu UrauuH thara
scrambled from beneath tho high wagon
| scat q queer little object--Tilf,
She swung herself lightly to tho ground
| and, running forward, ciung to the skirt oi
| wills coat.
Don't send me back mseer. They arc
| so cruel. You were kind to me to day.
saw you riding from tho city and remem.
bered / sprang up behind, and am mere tC
| live with you always"
what does this mean, William ~ said
Mother Tabor, in astonlshment
Then win told his mother how little Til
had played to him in the street. He had
never expected to see her again, however
and her sudden appearance had been a:
much Of a surprise to him as to his mother
"Of course we shall have to keep tht
little thing tonight and tomorrow will
60 back to tho city with her."
SO little TIN was taken in and treated Il
bath and delicious supper of brown
bread and milk and was finally put to bed
ton night.dress which viii had worn il
years before.
The next morning little Til was very II
too Ill to sit up. Tho great eyes wer
uDnaturally bright, and the little check
were scarlet. Her mind wandered at time;
but she knew Will and smiled at him a
he approached the bed. And when he asko
her whore she lived, she told him
With old KaniT on Mechanic street
But / have come to live with you nov
m'serr."
Wlhwent away to the city, leaving littl
Tiff in crarge of his mother
He foun1 old Kaniff up three flights O
stairs in n'thS tenement house.
He was docking Frenchman
and woman aud two sons, evidently hi
wife and two sons, were with him.
When Will spoke Of little Til he snarle
viciously.
"she Won lazy eetle rat. She do nozzin
all day but play in 20 dirt and bring hom
no pennies. Miner No, she not belong I
ME. She ees one orphan. j try to have he
play ze violin wiz my boys, but she COS nc
good for no2ings. Mseer will keep her
Very well; but 20 violin-dat should
worth $5 Merc, merci monsieurln
The old mser pocketed tho $5 bill whic
Will rendered him for little Tlf's violil
and the young man hurried down stall
and into the open air, drawing a lon
breath Of relief.
Ten years have passed Little TIL, ur
der the gentle influence of the rabc
home, has grown to beautiful youn
woman and thorough housckceper He
violin is still precious to her, and he
voice, in its untutored melody, Is some
thing wonderful.
This is what Max Konton, their sun
mor boarder, says, and no is great mt
sician, leader of tho - opera troup
! and Off duty now for awhile on accour
of ill.health.
He is very elegant man, this Ma
KentOn, and he greatly admires Tiff,
Tho knowledge of her history does nj
daunt him when he asks Mother Tabor an
! VIII for their permission to WOO her for h
wife.
"If she will listen to me-" he said "
will be married at once and start for the ol
: country. If mademoisele chooses h,
future may DO glorious one. Her face az
her voice arc worth a fortune TO her."
So Max KentOn received their oOnsen
They VIII not stand In the way of lit
} Tih's brilliant future, even though though
Of losing her make their hearts aol
; serely.
WIN strolls or across the pasture au
pauses at the bars TO lean upon them wit
folded arms and stare straight before hil
, seeing nothing, deep pain In his kind
eyes and about the handsome lips
Tih-is little Til to marry this handson
stranger and go away from them
He knows now what his feeling for her
hA has nOt EnoUn hafopa