The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1891-02-12

Two gentlemen, friends who had been
parted for years, met in a crowded thor
Oughfare. The one who lived II the city
was on his way TO meet pressing bust
ness engagement. After a few express
sions 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, 2 O'Clock sharp.
I'm anxious for you to see my wife and
lchild."
''Only one child:''
"Only one," came the answer tenderly,
a daughter. She's darling, assure
you"
And they parted; the stranger in the
city getting into the horse car bound
for the park, whittier he desired to go.
After block or two group of five
girls entered the car; they were all
young and evidently belonged to fami-
lies of wealth and culture-that is, in
tellectual culture-as they conversed in
telligently.
Each carried very deliberately deco
rated lunch basket; each was attired in
I very becoming spring suit. Doubtless
they were, too, going to the park for a
spring picnic. They seemed very happy
and amiable, until the car again stop
ped, this time letting in a pale-faced
girl Of about eleven and sickly boy of
four. These children were shabbily but
cleanly dressed, and upon their faces
there were looks of distress mingled
with some expectancy, Were they, too,
on their way to the park? The gentle
man thought &c; So did the group of
| girls for he heard one Of them say, with
4 look OF disdain;
81 suppose those Tagmutfians are Oh
IN excursion. too -
| 81 shouldn't want to leave my door if
had to look like that. Would your
this from another girl.
"NO, indeed! But there is no account
ing for tastes. think there ought to be
l special line of cars for the lower
| classes
All this conversation went on in low
tone, but the gentleman had heard it.
Had the child, too? He glanced at the
pale face and saw tears glistening in the
eyes. Then he looked at the group of
finely dressed girls, who had moved as
| far away from the plebian as the limits
of the car would allow.
| He was angry. He lOnged to tell them
that they were vain and heartless,a as they
drew their costly trappings closer about
them, as if fearful of contact with pow
erty's children.
Just then the exclamation: "Why,
there is Netty! Wonder where she is
going?n caused him to look out upon the
corner, where sweet-faced girl stood
beckOning 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 their
exclamations and questions.
Where are going?' asked one.
sob, what lovely flowers. Whom are
they fOr?' asked another.
| 'rm on my way to Bell Clark's. She
is sick you know, and the flowers are for
her."
She answered both questions at once,
and then glanced toward the door of the
car, she saw the pale girl looking wist-
fully at her. She smiled at the child, a
tender look beaming from her beautiful
eyes. and then, forgetting that she, too,
wore a handsome velvet skirt and costly
jacket and that her shapely hands were
covered with well-fttmg gloves, she left
her seat and crossed over to the little
ones. She laid one hand caIessingly on
the boys thin cheek and asked interest
edly of his sister:
"The little boy is sick, is he not? and
he is your brother, am sure, he clings
so to you"
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
I'm glad you are going the young
girl replied, in a voice meant for no ones
ears except those of the child addressed.
81 feel sure it will do him good. 1t is
lovely there, with the spring flowers all
| - Int xuh 10 Ia
You ought to have lunch after so long
a drive
Over the little girls face came flush.
Eyes, miss, may be we ought to, for
Freddies sake; but you see, we did not
have any lunch to bring. Tim-he's our
brother-he saved these pennies purpose
Sc as Freddie could ride to the park and
back. | guess maybe Freddie'll forget
about being hungry when he gets to the
beautiful park"
Were there tears in the lovely eyes as
she listened? Yes, there certainly were:
and very soon she asked the girl where
) she lived, and wrote the address down
in tablet, which she took from beaded
bag on her arm.
After riding few blocks, the pretty
girl left the car, but she had not left the
: little ones comfortless. Half the boquet
. OF NlOltIS anu uNdClltllH was ClhSpCN III
the sisters hand, while the sick boy,
with radiant face, held in his hand pre-
cious package, from which he helped
: himself, now and then, saying i'll jubi-
liant whisper:
''She said we could eat 'em all--every
one-when we get to the park. What
, made her so good and sweet to us? She
did not call us ragmuffins, and wasn't
afraid to have her dress touch ours; and
she called me a dear, she did. What
made her?" and Sue whispered back:
81 guess it's because she's beautiful as
q well as her clOthes-beautifu inside, you
r know
The gentleman's ears served him well.
He heard Sues whisper, and thought:
Eyes, the child is right. The lovely
I girl is beautiful inside'-beautifu in
e spirit. She is one of the Lords own, de-
veloping in Christian growth. Bless
, her"
When the park was reached the five
girls hurried out with laughter and
merry talk. Then the gentleman lifted
the little boy in his arms and carried him
$ out of the car, across the road into the
e green, sweetsmelling park.
9 At o'clock sharp the next day, the
c two gentleman, as agreed, met again.
+ "This is my wife," said the host
b proudly, introducing cOmely lady, and
o this" as young lady of fifteen entered
: the parlOr, 'is my daughter, Nettie."
d "Ah" thought the guest, as he ex-
o tended his hand in cordial greeting, this
i is the dear girl whom met yesterday in
e the street car. don't wonder that her
% father calls her his darling. She is a