The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1895-12-11

woman. "Supposo wo wero to meet some
ono who knows u.s.
1--WE WON'T" replied Mrs. Manhattan
coolly. Besides, if we do, ho or sho will
say, Oh, it's Mrs. Manhattan hunting Gu
rios -
These ladies wandered through tho Bow
cry, looking about with interest, until
they camo to tho museum where tho tough
girl performed. n toutcr i'll was oxtolling
tho attractions Of tho place, and Mrs. Man
haitian paused to listen.
"Walk right in, ladies'" ho said, with
an encouraging Smirk.
Mrs. Manhattan accepted the invitation.
Tho other woman followed, grooming and
expostulating.
''Hey box, ladicsg" asked socdy in
dividual.
"Why, yes. 1 might as well tako one, -
said Mrs. Manhattan. GLOW much9'
NO charge, ladies'" was the answer,
and musing upon this phenomenon they
wero ushered into miserable little pom
close to tho stage.
Mrs Manhattan regarded tho show
through her shell lorgnctto and conildcd
to tho other woman that sho had not en-
joycd anything so much since her visit to
Mott street opium joint.
The other woman kept up subducd
lamcntation.
When the tough girl turned u hand
spring into the wings. Mrs. Manhattan
deliberately leaned forward and capped
her little icwelcd hands.
The tough girl returned, gave Mrs Man.
haitian Il fearful smile and sang another
verse.
81 wonder, said Mrs. Manhattan mus
ingly, 'if she ever had a flower in her
life, and then sho quickly detached n
cluster of jack roses from her gold belt
and tossed them down to the tough girl
Things is comm mo way, sure" said
the tough girl to an envious circle behind
the scenes.
Say, who's dc swells?'' qucriod ono of
the company.
'Dcy's lady frcns of mine, " replied tho
tough girl with dignity.
You be bowed" was tho inorcdulous
chorus.
Give knowcd 'cm for years. Scc?" And
the tough girl glarcd at the unbclicving
circle so ficrcely that they were Obliged to
accept her statement. Then she mounted
tho steps which led to tho box opened tho
door and was lost to sight.
Como in" said Mrs. Manhattan ms
she saw the dreadful face through the half
open door, "come in. How do you do?''
The tough girl regarded Mrs. Manhat-
tan CuriOusly. She noted tho dainty silks
aud lnccs, tho jewels on tho little hands,
the French hat, tho gold and crystal vnai-
grettc and the shell lorgnettc
Geo, amt she Il swcll!'' was her in
ward comment.
81 amt right up ter dc limit" sho re.
piled. Got cough OATS drivin INC ter
drink" And sho laughed and winked
knowingly.
Mrs Manhattan regarded the tough girl
curiously. She had been Summing under
tho protection of n fine looking detective
who dressed like clubman and was alto
gcthcr very charming and sho had been
to tho French ball She had supposed that
she had seen very, very tough people, but
She decided rs she looked at this face be-
foro her, stamped with misery, sin and
disease, that this was littlo the toughest
she had ever seen.
Would you like something to drink"
she suddenly asked the girl.
Would IL duck swim?" was the answer
Mrs Manhattan ordered three beers
The other woman retired to corner and
had IL fit all by herself.
Tho tough girl tossed off her beer and
did not rcmarl that Mrs. Manhattan
cmpticd her glass into tho cuspidorc.
Then the lady ordered more beers and
while the girl disposed Of them she studied
this strange specimen of womankind
such dcpr;fvty she had never seem She
tried to discover some trace of wonlanly
feeling, but in vain.
"Wot's he achargin yuse fer dem beers"
suddenly demanded tho girl.
Fifteen cents apiece, indiffercntly re-
piled Mrs. Manhattan.
''Wot? Say, yuse jest wait minute -
And the tough girl disappeared. When she
returned, Sic remarked proudly:
Il settled his mugs. l tolc him, 'Wot
yusc Chcatin lady frcns of mine fcr:' Il
didn't Know dcy wuZ frcns OF yusc @ SAYS.
.'Waal, dcy IS I've knowod EN- fer years
al dat goes. sicc?' -
I'm really Obliged to yon" said Mrs.
Manhattan as She paid her bill
. OATS nil right. Say, take some tickets
fer me benefit, wont yusc. I'm workin To
git enough p.unlls to buy'ine Some teeth,
explained the tough girl.
Mrs. Manhattan Slipped bin in the
girl : hand.
10, ! don't want tho tickets" she
said, hut perhaps you can use this" And
thcn she WIS gone, and the stupcicdto
girl looked down ANA saw Il $40 bill lying
III her thin hand
One day, six months lator, when Mrs.
Manhattan had forgotten all about the
tough girl, She received word TINT little
boy, in whom she had taken some interest,
had fallen of the fire escape of an east side
tenement and broken his neck. His sor-
rowing mother wrote her tho dctaisof his
sudden taking off and begged Mrs. Man
haitian for the lean of So, Gas funerals
come so high
81 will go down myself" said Mrs
Manhattan 10 tho other woman, 'and do
what can for these poor creatures"
You'll catch typhus," said tho other
woman.
Nonscnso!"