The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1898-04-01
A DAUGHTER WORTH
HAVING.

Two gentlemen friends, who had
been parted for years, met on crowd
ed city street. The one who lived In
the city was on his way to meet a
pressing business engagement. After
a few expressions OF delight, he said !:
WELL I'm off. I'm sorry, but 1t
can't be helped. will look for you
Tomorrow at dinner. Remember two
o'clock sharp. ! want YOU to see my
wife and child"
"Only one child?" asked the other.
"Only one" came the answer, ten
derly. "a daughter, but she is darl-
ing"
And then they parted; the stranger
getting into Il street car for the park.
After Il block or two group OF five
girls entered the car. They all cvi-
IDENTIFY belonged to families OF wealth.
They conyerscd well. Each carrying
a very claboratcly decorated lunch
basket. Each was well dressed. They,
too were going to the park for a pic
mic. They seemed happy and amia-
bic until the car again stopped, this
time letting IN Il palc-faccd girl OF
about eleven, and Il sick boy OF four.
These children were sllabtily dressed,
and on their faces were looks OF dis
tress. They, too, were on the way to
the park. The gentleman thought so;
so did the group Of girls, for he heard
one Of them say, with a look Of dis
dain:
"I suppose those ragamul!ins are on
an excursion, too"
"I shouldn't want to leave home il
l had to look like that, would you?"
This to another girl.
mo, indeed; but there is no ac
counting for taste. think there ought
to be Il special line Of cars for the
lower classes"
All this was spoken in low tone.
but the gentleman heard 1t. And the
child, too? He glanced at the pale
face and saw tears. He was angry.
Just then the exclamation, "Why,
there Is Nettie; wonder where she is
going?' caused him to look out upon
the corner, where a sweet-fac young
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 prOfuSc In EXPLANATIONS and
questions.
where are you gOing?" asked one.
80, what lovely flowers! Whom are
they for?" asked another.
"I'm on my way to Belle Clarke's.
She is sick, you know, and the flowers
are for her"
She answered both questions at
once, and then glancing toward the
door Of the car, saw the pale girl look.
ing wistfully at her. She Smiled at
the child, a tender beaming from her
beautiful eyes, and then, forgetting
she wore a handsome velvet skirt and
costly jacket, and that her shapely
hands were covered with well fitted
gloves, she left her seat and crossed
over to tho little one. She laid her
hand on the boys thin cheeks as she
asked OF his sister:
'"This little boy is sick, Is he not?
He ia your brother, l am sure"
1t seemed hard for the girl to an
swer, but finally she said:
"Yes, miss, he is sick. Freddie
never has been well. Yes, miss, he is
my brother. We're gong to the park
to see IL it won't make Freddie bet.
ter"
II am glad you are going" the
young girl replied in a low voice,
meant for no ones ears except those
OF the child. II think II will do him
good; It's lovely there, with the flow.
crs all in bloom. But where Is your
lunch? You ought to have lunch
after SO long ride"
Over the little girls face CAME u
| flush.
"Ycs, miss, VIC ought to, for Fred
dies sake; but you sec VIC didn't have
any lunch to bring. Tim-lle's our
brotlicr--hc saved these pennies 50 as
Freddie could ride to the park and
buck. / guess, mcbbc Freddie will