The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1892-06-10

y s & : s.1 wH . s1 "ss's !
great many crooked streets. turn a
great many sharp corners and thread "A
great many narrow alleys before one
came al last IL the narrowe,t and
areariest one Of all, Shca's alley. Yet
n was really worth the trouble and in
convenience. for here, up two flights,
in the shabbicst house Of all the many
shabby houses in the place one would
see a very curious sight--a little girl
who in all her life had never seen "A
blade Of grass growing or even the
bnmblcst little wayside flower pushing
IL head through the dark earth for a
peep al the sun. As for whole mead
CIV fulI Of green. waving Things. noisy
with TIE song OF birds and the hum Of
bees. why. II you had told Liz that snch
strange place really existed she would
not have belize you. For liz was
CYNICAL: she icyaf led most people tana
their stories tool with distrust, and the
more pleasing the tai. the more salts
fed was She that 1t was pure fabrica-
tion.
Poor little Liz! She had a hump
upon her back and crutch under her
arm. and all the world seemed made
wrong. since she was. For Liz was not
in the least like the sanity little crea-
lures in the good story books. She was
instead real little girl who lived 10
Shca's alley wherein no saint ever
dwelt). and She tried no more TO be
good and meek than she tried to be
happy and comfortable. AS for the
crutch II served variety Of purposes
Sometimes when she grew very angry
she threw il at people. and. in turn. y
often fell upon her own dcfenseless
shoulders. II enabled her, however.
20 crawl downstairs into the alleyway
OF hot day On such occasions She
found there a swarm of ragged children
who screamed and fought with each
other for amusement. Liz did not
scream. hut with her trusty crutch she
felt ready for any assailant Rarely
did she venture further than the end ~
the lane. What was the use? Beyond
was only another Shea's alley. longer
and broader. perhaps, but not other
wise more attractive.
Liz had sister, who would some
times. upon hot Sunday. don her
best dress. II she happened to have one.
and 20 away TO the park. But the
park was three miles distant, and It
cost. moreover. q matter Of five cents to
rearh Il. 80 Liz had never been taken
there. Who could be troubled with a
crirrlcd sister when the crowd was 50
great that il was only by bold elbowing
and pushing that one Mid reach the
ear at an. No one cx src' ed Liz to even
desire 70 go but one day her sister
brought home bunch of daisies. and
from that moment great longing filled
the chlld's heart. II only she might see
the wonderful place in which these gay
flowers grew What could II be like
For many DAYS she wondered and won
deed. and one night when Nancy, her
sister. came home from work she called
out suddenly:
Are there many Of these near the
park9''
Many 81 whatg' said Nancy, GROSSLY,
for she was very hot and tired.
MANY 81 them" pointing TO a
cracked tumblcr wherein the daisies,
carefully preserved. still stood straight
and prim. their golden disks making q
gay spot Of color in the dingy room.
~Oh. miles OF cm.' responded Nancy
largely and grandly. her tired face
Frightening unconsciously as she
thought Of the broad field wherein. I'M
hindercd by vigilant policemen. she had
roamed knee deep in grasses to pluck
the kindly flower that did not scorn *
grow ia humble places and for humble
people.
Miles Of them Poor. astonished Liz
could say no more. but thcnceforth tbs
strange longing born so recently IN hci
heart grew and grew, until u threat
cncd to overcome her with its intensity
~ old. angels were supposed to bs
th- fitting bearers Of joyful tiding@
hut in these degenerate days our an
gslic visitors are wont To clothc them
selves IN divers unromantic forms. And
thus il fell ont that II was policeman
stout. red-faced aud grim. who brought
thr good news to Liz. II was 1; sitting
day. The August sun sent its malig
nant rays triu.rphantlv into the cit,
streets. sure Of conquest Horse'
dropped and fell beneath them. TRAY
slcrs. in despair. sought shady corner
IN which TO mop their heated brows
The pavements were on fire, the dust
streets seemed scorched and shriveled
The whole great city, indeed. pantc'
and gaspcd for breath. In Shca's ale.
the entire population had turned i
vain hope Of comfort 70 the street
Women with white-faced babic
crowded the doorstcps. while the chill
drcn disportcd themselves languidly /
The dust.
Liz, however. was not to BE- seen.
A. the policeman came in sight
hush fell upon the assembled tenants
Each one regarded him with lower
ing, suspicious glance, and straight
way searched his guilty conscience f.
the miseIecd which had called forth th|
visit. His victim was evidently nc
among them, however, for he turnc
into house close nj hand and ascens
- The rickciv stairA