Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-05-06
1.-THE THIRD STORY BACK !"

Happy, were they2 This little man and
woman aud their big. blue-eyed baby in the
third story back Well, 1 think SOL
Although from the windows nothing could
be seen but the chimney pots Of numerous
houses, long, dirty alley. a darkey shnrtv
and the overwhelming side OF a large hotel
bristling with windows Yes. they were happy
The air was purer, the sun shone brighter ont
side and baby boy gladdeued aud made bright
the inside
The fathers face was bright when he kissed
the little mother and baby good-bve in .ha
morning, and was brighter still when his voice
WeIcofned them at night The little mothers
face was sweet as she lifted ii for the uoruino
KISS, ana sweeter as she heard the return of the
well-loved footstep.
Baby boy was always bright and ALWAYS sweet
from carry morning until nightfau came, and
thus the days went past
Twas up two flights OF ricketv stairs that In.
little woman had to climb with the baby in her
arms; But mother loved him; her burden was
light! ""'
Sparse the furniture when the ton was
reached No matter. that, Baby bow was .hara
and filed the big. bare room with hapniness
Yet this contented little woman had known
better times. Mo- not better, but mora
prosperous times. Her father had been a large
land owner; she had been raised in wealth and
luxury.
But love had come into her life and
leaving all fear behind she had nut her hand
lovingly. trustingly, into that OF the little man
now at her side. and had gone out into the
untried world Since then two wears have
rolled byi Happiness is hers. for love is still
with her; and yet she misses the kind mother
the lavish father, the dear brothers and sisters.
the companions of her childhood'B DAYS. But
she wouid not exchange her noble husband.
her big, baby boy. for all her fathers
wealth,
Two more wears pass away. and we still find
our little man and woman ''in the third
story back" but the door is open between and
the baby boys view is no longer limited TO the
chimney pots and clouds. He Is strutting
about the rooms. miniature man with hands
In the pockets of his first trousers, while
and anon peeping over the side of the cradle
TO look at the bundle within. A little brother
his counterpart, lies there, all snugly tucked
up warm and coy. while at the cradle side sits
the little mother with her sewing, and one foot
on the rocker.
She looks a triie pale. but the sweet. happy
look is there, in spite of the still. deep yearn-
ing which has added a sad wistfulness 10 her
face. But times are prosperous. and she ID
looking forward TO a home Of her own.
Two more years go by. and now 1.-THE third
story back is only remembered as the scene
OF their early but happy days.
Baby boy and little brother romp and play
around pretty cottage on the outskirts of the
city, adding the glow of health to their already
beautiful features.
The little mother looks stronger. less pale,
but the sad, sweet look remains. for way down,
very far down in her heart, is the one little
spot which even her noble husband and lovely
boys cannot ill-the longing for her child
hoods home.
Two years more and 'little sister" is with
them, a pet and piaything for all Again .
third story back is the scene Of happy dave,
fOr n a vi virb al,,,
Of the little dear ones. No trials beyond those
OF daily life on a moderate income have
come 10 the mother: her husband lie devoted;
her children are beautiful and loving: her home
is happy, and day by day the little hoard 10
growing.
But the first sad day is here, Baby bow. now
seven years old, starts for school with mothers
fond kiss upon his lips, his books and lunch
basket in hIs hands. Three o'clock. o'clock,
the little man has not returned. Five O'Clock,
still no baby boy. Six O'Clock. and the father
comes, only to rush out in quest 81 the boy.
All night long the anxious sad-eyed
mother waits for the coming. All
night long the anxious, wan-featured father
searches for the lad. The bright sun rises, but
with II comes no hope 20 the Borrowing pa--
ents. The father ever and anon comes in 10
ask tidings, but to bring none. The long day n
wearing to close when a carriage drives up TO
the door. gentlemsn's voice is heard asking
if child is absent from home.
words. springs up hurriedly, rushes to the
hall, only to md her strength leaving her, aud
she falls fainting into the arms Other father.
He tenderly kisses the sad face of the child he
still loves and in the depth Of his heart has
ever longed for since the day when he drove
her from her home. He lays her on the
couch and sits gazing at the features
so dear TO him. Gradually. like tired infant,
the eyelids open and close, a smile creeps over
the pretty mouth. as the lips murmur Father"
The old man is on his knees in a moment. while
words follow each other in rapid succession as
he pleads with his child for the love he cast
away: tells o. the miserable years which have
passed without her. begs forgiveness, and to
have them blotted from their minds.
How familiar the voice Of the dear father as
be tells of the home which had sheltered her
childhood, of the mother whose heart was
bleeding for sight of her child. OF the brothers
and sisters who longed for her companionsh;n
And the moments fv along. while in tie
surprise of the meeting his errand OF
mercy was forgotten. He had seen a
child knocked down by a careless driver.
had picked him up. taken him in his carriage TO
his own home. called his family physician and
had cared for the child. Ii was only AT a late
hour he had discovered the home OF the bow.
and had come. as 20 stranger, 10 tell good.
news OF the child, although the physi.
clan would not allow him 10 be moved for
some time to come.
The little mother. Frustrated by grief ard
joy, lies quietly on the couch with baby sister
in her arms. while kneeling BY her side. with
one arm around little brother, is the old man.
Such is the sight which meets the little mans
eyes as he sadly, hopelessly returns once more.
The little woman, hearing the well-loved
footstep. finds strength for @ moment; laws
baby sister in her fathers arms: springs 20 her
feet. rushes to the strong arms which have
sheltered her all these years. crying. The
child is found: he's safe at home,''
The old man rises from his knees, extends
his hand. saying: Yes, another child is found.
and with Gods help shall never be lost again. 70
Would See Her Later.
From the Minneapolis Tribune