The Washington times., 1895-04-07
accepted it, and went behind the moth
haunted carpet to array himself

accepted it, and went behind the moth
haunted carpet to array himself.
HehoDestly fulfilled hispa rt of the bargain,
so that when be askedf for 10 0centsonaccOunt,
after two days, during which there had been
al increase OF custom at Mr.. Eichenstein's.
and Mr.. Mooney had been observed to look
anxiously forth from his door. Rebecca ad-
yanced the money. That evening ii chaDced
that she went out upon the roof platform to
enjoy the air. The platform, glOrified by the
summer moonlight was like hanging gar
den: the old carpet might have been an
Oriental tapestry, the struggling plants roses
ofCashmere, and Rebeccaa Hebrew Princess
-witha little imaginationan some distance
on the part OF an observer. The Jewish
maiden leaned over the railing and looked
down into an open lot, oyergrown with bur
docksand strewn with tin cansand castaway
shoes. A boarding at one end was covered
with circus posters. On the stubby grass,
amid these sordid surroundings. lay her ad-
vertising medium asleep, presumably under
the influence of liquor, and oDlivious of his
good clothesand hat.
Rebecca ran down the outer stairs, ap-
preached the man. took him by the collar
and shook him. You get up she warned
him in a severe tone, ,''or else is Off dot bar
gain, and youloseyourjob.
or Coursr he lamented and promised
amendment She forgave him and would
try him once more. And this time he proved
worthy OF the trust. The longer that he
wore those clothes and the oftener that he
hea rd the populace reInarkthat it va sa good
suit for the money the more he feita " akened
within him the dignity OF manhood. He
washed himself, first occasionally, then
daily. He had his hair cut, cheaply but not
badly: this took the price of a drink, so that
for three days he abstained. Then for three
more davs he satisfied his thirst with
Rebecca stea. in order to have little money
ahead. Walking through the city ,panoplied
with the absurd piacaris, he felt that he was
rising in the world-ur rather in that inward
world where the individual most truly lives.
Rebecca began to see that he was hand
some man. She was perhaps a trifle ro-
mantle, and there is no knowing what her
sentiments might in time have become.
But one day Mrs. Robbins bringing the
usual bundle OF cotton and wool shirts,
said. "I guess l shan't be able to work for
you no more. ma'am. My husband has come
back don't know what he has been doing.
He was a poor drunken creature, and I
don't say bnt what l turned him out of
doors with the brromstiCk last winter.
/ haven't seen nor heard OF him until day
before yesterday, when he comes in, easy
a s puss, picks up the children and kisses
them and sets down in the rocking chair.
/ thought myself twas considerable cool;
but he saws, says he: Lucinda, / have
swore off and been working, and here is
a dollar and a half. and / wouldn't have
come back, only I have Just got good
place as janitor, with rooms most ways up
to heaven in the eleventh story of build
ing, and we will make it our home / amt
ashamed to say. ma am, / sat down and
cried. Then he told me how a sheeDy woman
oh. excuse ME, ma am, mean Jew lady
had been real good to him and started him
so that he would go straight. He is going
to see her to-day about his new job, to get
her to let him off from the one with her.
Well. he may not be much OF a map-but
he is my man. And am going where he
goes So I'll bid you good day, ma am,
and-bless plei''
For to those women suddenly appeared
the extramp, clean, and evidently on the
way 10 respectability-sid tracks permit
ting.
why. Lucinda, you here?" said he.
When the husband and wife had gone
their ways down the street and along its
perspective toward their future. Rebecca
stood loking after them. In her heart was
a curious mixture of pleasure and pain.
She did not, however, define her feelings.
for her father came behind her.
'iRepeccai Repeccal' he said, in an ex-
cited undertone "Goom once to dot window
and see Mr.. Mooney, who is shutting up
his shop"