The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1886-01-22
A CHILD OF
THE sTREE T S.

"a CHILD OF THE STREETS"

in the densely- populated neighborhood OF
Covent Garden sat girl cross-legged on
The uncsrpeted floor, singing softly to her
self over her task Of mending a very tat
tered, faded petticoat. 1t was long, low
apartment, with slanting, smoke-black-
ened ceiling, close under which three mar
row apertures, doing the work Of win
dows, admitted a very small portion OF
heavens light.
Face and voice and attitude indicated a
placid content with present condition and
prospects, notwithstanding the scanty
clothing the girl wore, and the broken
furniture Of the room she inhabited.
In spite Of all its defects, this garret
had been her home ever since she could
remember anything, and would remain
so, just as long as she could earn enough
to pay the very modest rent.
Her age was sixteen, her face exquis-
itely pretty, and what is more remarkable
in a girl of her "caste," both intellectual
and refined; for Mysie O'Farren was only
a waif, stray, child of the street,
little London lass, who lived from hand TO
mouth on the chance wages which her
singing earned from passers-by on the
pavement.
One stormy winter evening, some six
teen years back, woman, with baby,
whisky-bottle, and brogue, had come to
this same house seeking nights shelter
from the wind and rain. Judging by her
appearance, the landlady reckOned her
up as tramp, but admitted her.
Here il was the weary woman ceased
from her wanderings, and made her home
in the garret, under the slanting roof
malignant fever, prevalent in the neigh
borhood all through one dreary season,
numbered the poor Irishwoman among its
victims, and little golden-haired mysle
OFarreIl was left to fight the battle OF
life as best she might in the heart OF
crowded, cruel London.
So the girl grew up to womanhood.
Fortunately from her mother she had in
herited the rare gift Of a singing-voIce,
thanks to which she had so far been al
ways able to keep a roof over her head,
and a loaf in the cupboard. And the fu-
ture was left TO take care Of itself.
At last her task was finished, needle
and thimbe laid aside, and the once
bricht-hued garment donned. The wear
er glanced down at its faded folds with a
smile.
/ against the wall. was a small looking
| glass in a cracked frame. Before this
/ mirror stood Mysie O'Farrell, critically
/ scanning her own image, as she twisted
! her long. fair hair into one heavy coil
fastening it up with a broad bit OF ribbon
that once was blue. Her beauty was the
effect of the combination Of Spanish Ian
euor and Irish vivacity, to which might
he added dash of native drollery.
A loud knocking at the door of tbs
room startled the girl in the midst Of hel
toilette.
Come in" she said without turning
her head. and boy entered who seemed
10 have been well acquainted with ''pov'
ertv. hunger. and dirt"
II say, Mysie, how late you are-an'
after sayiu' you'd be outside the Colonnad
at FIVE. l waited ever so long, keeping
eharp lookout right and left. But it's a
we'll I was there, as 1t turned out. and j.
tell Won why. I'm just in luck's way
and so are you, 1 reckon"
..Have you really had good luck, Ga
b,ieI7 I am so glad, dear Tel me a
about it. It's good thing you just cam
in. was going out"
II should have been savage if L
missed you. just listen. As was stanf
in under the arch-our arch, You know
mining away at some tune, more for ii
sake of passiug time than to turn COZ
per. suddenly felt hand laid slap o
nv shoulder. l was just openln m
month, thiullin' II was one o them med
desonle boIbics. when | cooked my ey
,o,,n1 the corner. and saw tall cha
with n puffy rcd face staring at me-
What d've want says | to him. 'Wn5
is v,,ur occupation. employment, trade
that is. how do you earn your living, m
lodr he asks. eth keepifg his band {
nv shoulder, as if he feared I'd cut an
,-in afore he had his say ont. What
that TO your replies. Tor 1 thought
,,,.ecious cool of his popping such que
tion and lust like his cheek. Don't
= rude, my lad he went on, no ways
Tended; 4 only want to help you. | hear
Won singing just now. You have a nj
d. voice. although it is quite unframed, $
c raw material. but capable Of muci
x oh. lor' bless You, a lot more as L couldl
q keen up with. but, to go ON, i ask yo
~ daily occupation in order to tell you tn
he could set you in the way OF earning
IN honest livelihood, by means OF your Voi'
"a # Won are prepared to be steady pefs
N. verinc and Industrious and deal me
so;d tbis big red faced cove, who seem
~, of a sweIl in his line, which is t
z o,,aratic. I guess. However. be that as
- 5re1v me under the archwi
n, ...So,o ,ve wasn't in the way Of passers- I
hB ii .sl,ad me a few questions, as we
I'd o.. .,,o,,,-, 70 answer. Had I any !
in Ter No, I replies, 4 amt, and
re- inst as we'll why, that Is SAD ser
ns mont for a young man to express; nov
rs; - and the old fellow pulls long ID
es, =, aI,.k.s his head. We'll, sir, j
zee zee .ta;,,s .1,ou see. when they'd got Old
Ia r,d 70 help keep 'em, and ma
ls: ~: - onourh TO fill my own stomach
.,,isf,ction, We'll, well. we can a.
q, III .,a,, saws he. If you're hard WORK
- bo,est. You've got good voice.
A. .,,,a,,ber it's uphill work to becom
Tyr e, Ices singer Then he asked II
- . brother. No. says L, but lY
q So. Yon should just hear her 81
- -. Her voice is as clear as a lark 5.
at Thought it best to say you was my %
- bother. Dear me, bless my 8
OF family gift evidently relleT ll''
me cham. raising his eyemo"S' Wv
-, hore my lad; I should Ike 20 Oe u
md to YOU. aud siioHH' a. s4,.e
Mt .,,,,cb fine mat erial wasted IN tne sure
WI he told me to 60 to nm to-h"r
the - take Won. / gave hlm my NAME
als anu 'IN' ia. ca4d. See: .Signor ]
Cts s.si tSinchlev-road. II. John w
M he cut of like rocket. 30
NJ, ~" NrS,sie. ,rS that's what's called II
amt it7"
20 TBis was Gabriel Co'e' .,,,,
to -. tkrifTier they had gone. no