St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1889-09-28
A Daughter Worth Having.

A Daughter Worth Having.
Two gentlemen friends, who had been
parted for years, met in crowded city
street. The one who lived in the city was
on his way to meet pressing business
engagement. After few expressions of
delight he said ''Well, I'm off. I'm sorry,
but it can't be helped. | will look for you
tomorrow at dinner. Remember, two
o'clock sharp. want you to see my wife
and child"
"Only one child2' asked the other.
"OnlY one" came the answer, tenderly
ga daughter. But she's darling"
And then they parted, the stranger in
the city getting into street car bound for
the park.
After block or two, group of five
girls entered the car; they all evidently
belonged to families of wealth they con-
yersed well. Each carried very elabo-
rately decorated lunch basket; each was
well dressed. They, too, were going to
the park for picnic They seemed happy
and amiable until the car again stopped.
this time letting in pale, faced girl of
about eleven and sick boy of four. These
their faces were looks of distress. They,
too, were on their way to tlfes park. The
gentleman thought so; so did the group
of girls, for he heard one of them say,
with look of disdain:
81 suppose those rag g mullins are on an
excursion, too"
81 shouldn't want to leave home if |
had to look like that. Would your" This
to another girl.
"No, indeed But there is no account
ing for tastes. 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,
:oo7 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? p
caused him to look out upon the corner,
where a sweet-faced young girl stood
reckoning to the car driver. When she
entered the car she was warmly greeted
by the five, and they made room for her
beside them. They were profuse in ex-
CARNATIONS and questions
''Where are you going?' asked one.
ooh, what lovely flowers! Whom are
they for? said another.
ssIm on my way to Belle Clarke's. She
is sick, you know, and the flowers are
for her."
She arswered both questions at once,
and then, slancing toward the door OF the
car, saw the / 1e girl looking wistfully at
her ;She smiled at the child, tender
look beaming from her beautiful eyes. and
then, forgetting that she wore handsome
velvet skirt and costly jacket, and that her
shapely hands were covered with we'll
fitted gloves, she left her seat and crossed
over to the little one. She laid one hand
on the boys thin cheeks as she asked of
his sister
'sThis little boy is sick, is he not? And
he is your brother. | am sure"
1t seemed hard for the girl to answer,
but finally she said:
eyes, 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 better"
81 am glad you are going" the young
girl replied in a low voice, meant for no
ones ears except those of the child. 81
think it will do him good. It's lovely
there, with the spring flowers all in bloom.
But where is your lunch? You ought to
have lunch after so long ride
Over the little girls face came flush.
eyes, miss, we ought to, for Freddie's
sake; but, you see, we didn'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. guess mebbe
Freddie'll forget about being hungry when
he gets to the park"
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 tablet which she took
from a bag on her arm.
After riding 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 package, from
which he helped himself now and then,
saying to his sister, in a jubilant whisper ::
'sShe said we could eat 'em all-every
one-when we get to the park. What
made her SO sweet and good to us?'
"1t's cause she's beautiful as well as
her clothes" the gentleman heard her
whisper.
When the park was reached the five
girls hurried out. Then the gentleman
lifted the little boy in his arms and carried
him out of the car, across the road and
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 restaurant.
At two o'clock sharp the next day, the
two gentlemen, as agreed, met again.
"This is my wife" said the host, proud
ly, introducing comely lady; "and this, :"
as young lady of fifteen entered the par
| lor, lis my daughter"
"Ah |" said the guest, as he extended
his hand in cordial preetipp Hfhis ia the
dear girl whom l saw yesterday in the
street car. don't wonder you called her
darling. She is darling and no mis-
take, God bless her." And then he told
| his friend what he had seen and heard in