The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-07-11

I lay them down before thee, every one;
only long for sleep to still my pain,
And strength to takc my burdens up again.
Two gentlemen, friends who had
been parted for years, met in a crowd
ed city street. The one who lived in
the city was on his way to meet a
pressing business engagement. Al
ter few expressions of delight, ne
said: >,
"Well, I'm off. Pm sorry, but it
can't be helped. I will look tor you
tomorrow at dinner. Remember,
two o'clock, sharp. I want you to see
my wife and child"
"Only one child ?" asked the other.
"Only one," came the answer, ten
derly; "a daughter. But she's daT-
ling" =,
And then they parted the stranger
in the city getting into street car
bound for the park.
After block or two, group OF flve
girls entered the car they all evil
IDENTIFY belonged to families of wealth ;
they conversed we'll. Each carried a
very elaborately decorated lunch bas-
ket: each was we'll dressed. They,
too, were going to the park for pic
mic. They seemed happy and amia-
BILE until the car again stopped, this
time letting in a pale-faced girl of
about eleven and a sick boy of four.
These children were shabbily dressed,
and on their faces were looks of dis
tress. They, too, were 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:
"I suppose those ragamuffins are on
an excursion. too"
'tI shouldn't want to leave home if
1 had to look like that. Would you?'
This to another girl.
.'No, indeed But there is no ac-
counting for tastes. I think there
ought to be special line of cars for
the lower classes"
All this was spoken in low tone,
but the gentleman heard it. Had the
child, too? He glanced at the pale
face and saw tears. He was angry:
Just then the exclamation, "Why,
there is Nettie! Wonder where she is
going?u caused him to look out upon
the corner, where sweet-faced young
? girl stood beckoning to the car-driver.
When she entered the car she was
warmly greeted by the five, and they
made room forher beside them. They
were profuse in exclamations ana
questions.
"Where are you going ?" asked one.
"Oh, what lovely flowers Who
are they for ?" said another.
"I'm on my way to Belle Clark's.
She is sick, you know, and the flowers
are for her." 81.
She answered both questions at
once, and then, glancing toward the
door of the car, saw the pale girl look
ing wistfully at her. She smilld at
the child, tender look beamipg from
her beautiful eyes, and then, forget
ting that she wore a handsome velvet
skirt and costly jacket, and that her
shapely hands covered with
weIl-ftted gloves, she left her seat and
crossed over to the little ones. She
laid one hand on the boys thin cheeks
5 as she asked of his sister:
"This little boy is sick, is he not ?
And he is your brother, l am sure"
1t seemed hard for the girl to an
swer, but finally she said:
"Yes, miss, he is sick. Freddie
never has been well. Yes, miss, he is
my brother. We're goin' to the park
to see if 'twon't make Freddie bet
ter"
e II am glad you are going," the
young girl replied in a low voice meant
for no ones ears except those of the
child. II think it will do him good {:
it's lovely there, with the spring flow
ers all in bloom. But where is your
lunch? You ought to have lunch
after so long ride"
Over the little gilPs face came a
flush.
eyes, miss, we cIght to, for Fred
dies sake; but, you see, we didn't t
have any lunch to bring. Tim-he's
our brother-he saved these pennies
so as Freddie could ride to the park
and back. I guess, mebbe, Freddie
III forget about being hungry when he
gets to thelpark."
There were tears in the lovely girls
eyes as she listened ; and very soon
she asked the girl where they lived,
and wrote the address down in a tab
let which she took from bag on her
arm.
After riding a few blocks she left
the car, but she had not left the little
ones comfortless. Half the bouquet of
violets and hyacinths were clasped in
the sisters hand, while the sick boy,
with radiant face, held in his hand a
package, from which he helped him
self now and then, saying to his sis
ter, in jubilant whisper:
"She said we could eat 'em all-eve-
ry one-when he get to the park.
What made her so sweet and good to
us?,
And the little girl whispered back {:
"It's 'csuse the's beautiful as we'll as
he Clothes" The gentleman heard
her whisper.
When the park was reached the
five girls hurried out. Then the gen.
tleman lifted the little boy in his arms
and carried him out of the car, across
the road, and into the green park, the
sister, with q heart full of gratitude,
following. He paid for nice ride for
them in the goat carriage; he treated
them to oyster soup at the park res
taurant
At two o'clock sharp the next day,
the two gentleman, as agreed, met
again.
tlrUb;s 10 ,,,1 u,;fo - tbo boct cold