The evening world., 1890-07-12

asks.
No one is visible in tho hot, tidy, poor
little room, but small treble voice an
swers: - Gone for some water"
Well, tell her can't wait. must
go home to the children. Here's the
medicine. How are you fcelingl'
She stoops to car ess the pale face in the
corner from which comes the reply.
"Oh. very we'll" with such brave in
difference to the disease that is sapping
away his young life.
She asks II there is anything she can do
for him, speaks hopeful words, uses play.
full imperatives about getting well right
off. and. pressing the little white fingers
in her own. goes away with these words
for an Introduction.
She's visiting poor, sick babies"
l briefly confirm the introduction.
Well. there amt any poor, sick
babies in this family. I'm twelve years
old, and the poor little fellow presses
hand to his side and slowly turns to
the wall, wincing from the agony he is
trying 10 conceal.
The spasm of pain over. he turns his
face to me again and it brightens with
pleasure at the approach of careworn,
gray haired, prematurely aging woman.
The story of poor little Phil is soon
told. He has heart disease. DR.. Herrick
is treating him and has given orders to
keep him quiet and take him on the water,
She is good lady, " the mohter says,
but can't take him. We have never
been on the water and | wouldn't know
how to take him. If anything happened
to him how could | ever forgive myself: 2"
Little Phil will hardly live to sec
another Summer. aud it is easy to see that
trip TO tho Battery even by the shortest
route would leave his delicate strength in
"A state of exhaustion.
have very little money in my purse
pennies.
A great light of C~pectant pleasure
comes to the large blue eyes. the feverish
lips ure pressed together and faint color
comes to the ivory of the small face.
- Get some ice cream, he says with a
wistful look.
Would you rather have ice cream than
oranges2
Yes: my mouth is fire. and nothing
tastes rs good as ice cream"
The miserly coppers are poured into the
little hands with an apology; one pair of
eyes dance with delight, and the other is
dimmed with tears.
When will you take me, mother ?"
After dinner. son. when it gets
cooler"
She helps him across the room. tend
erly seats him in rocking chair near the
window. and when the awful pain in his
heart has quieted. he points TO row of
flowers on the window-sill. Like the pale
little gardener. they are sickly in growth
and starving for fresh air, sustenance and
sunshine. There is not blossom on one
of them and but very few leaves. Even
water is denied them. for every drop has
to be brought up from the court below.
Nevertheless. they are cherished. each
has history, and one Is as dear to the old
mother as the choicest orchid IN his con-
servatory is to MIR, Jay Gould.
1t is a bit of shamrock that friend
brought over TO Phirs mother. who tells
me it Is growing in the old sod"
The precious dust is exhibited at the
window. and the touch of her fingers on
the bright green clover is almost reyerent
Then there are the Geraulum slips
struggling for growth in tin cans, and
where do you suppose they came from?
A coffin.
There was funeral Of q good man in
the slip last May and the n other attended.
On the way 10 the hearse a branch of
Geranium fell from the caNket and this She
carried home and planted in PhiI's win
dow garden.
The sturdiest piece of green is a pig
weed growing in glorious pot of earth.
Mignonette seeds were bought early in
the Spring and nothing came up hut the
ugly weed. When | told the mother her
she said, oh. we'll. anything
that is green is good TO look at"
" Aud then, she added sadly, A" Phi
likes It, and this is all he knows Of the
country" pointing TO the row of pots
lust outside the window is a cigar box
planted with mornineglories, which the
little hoy is training 1t is sad enough TO
watch him. for he has not the strength
to reach over the window-sill to the
climbing vines without his mothers help
ing hands,
Poor, patient little Phil is an angel if
ever there was one on this earth. AL
though too i'll TO cross the room unaided.
deprived of books, toys, games and
friends, he has never been heard to make
a complaint or express wish the gratiti-
cation Of which might tax the poverty of
his mother Having nothing. not even
health, he seems 10 want nothing. HIS
is pltIable, his suffering excru-
eating. his resignation is heTolc and his
days are nun. heTed.
PILLS share OF TIE EvESISa WoRLp
fund will be put in an envelope this after
noon and mailed 10 his address. with =
note 20 buy all the ice cream he can eat
NELL kELsoS.