The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1899-07-27


handsome girl. with dark, pensive
eyes and smooth, thoughtful brow, in
rather comical contrast with the
proud bearing and independent APP
pearsnce OF their owner. She wendell
her way homeward with the quick,
irregular step Of one who chafes in
wardly ut the world, and knows none
on whom to lay the blame. She
sought q mission, n new sphere of
action for the benefit of her fellow
creatures.
Suddenly, before she had sufficient
ly awakened from her revery to no.
tice whence it came, q flood of sweet
song seemed to sooth her ruffled feel
ings. A lark, imprisoned in q narrow
cage, poured forth to the needless
world outside its soul Of melody
through hard bars OF wire.
The sense OF relief which had stolen
over the girl gave place to one OF an.
ger. combined with some odd salts
faction. Hero Mt last was an oppor-
tunity to do good, even il it were but
obtaining the freedom Of one poor
hopeless lark. And who more suited
to the task than she, the President,
self-constituted only three days since,
Of the N Society for the Promo
ton Of Christian Charity Toward Ami
mails? The song that had soothed her
unawares now made her soul burn
within her. Crossing the road with
decided step, she entered little
shop, over the door Of which the bird
sang on. II was o cobbler's work.
shop, she found, scattered as such
places are with the implements of the
trade, and pervaded with the pleasant
smell of leather. A little, bent old
man, with large spectacles on his
wrinkled nose, and deft lean fingers
that moved nimbly over the rough
leather, put aside his work and shut
fed forward to the counter. He
moved slowly and with difficulty, for
his old limbs were getting past their
work. Pleasantly, but rather curl.
ously, he babe her Good day, u
scarce hoping for work in his poor
shop from 80 smart and nicely dressed
lady. Evelyn felt somewhat un.
easy at the old mans harmless aspect
'"This Bird" she began rather tim
idly; els it yours?"
The cobbler looked at the cage will
visible pride.
Eyes, yes, miss, my bird sure
enough; and fine bird, too; not
better bird in all N, miss" Fl,
rubbed his hands and smiled genially
Evelyn was silent as he continued
half to himself, as old men do:
-Four years it is I've had him; fou
years, and scarce day OF his song
It was my boys. my Dicks younges
that's gone for a sailor; it seems onl,
yesterday he came in just as it Nigh
have been you, miss, to-day, with tn
bird in his hand, and says he--
But begin your pardon; you wa
saying"--
"What will you take for the bird?
she asked, not feeling quite so sur
Of her cause, now she had actual
plunged into the battle.
"Wouldn't sell him, miss; wouldn
take FIVE dollars fur him, not if Wa
starving"
Evelyn took out her purse an
counted its contents-a fifty cent piec
and several dimes and nickels. Sh
drew out the fifty cent piece, sayiu
in firm and superior toner: "Fift
cents; not penny more"
The old man looked at her kindl,
aud explained gently, as if to q chill
lit was really very irritating):
mo, miss, don't want to sell hin
was sayin', you see, it was my 10
gave me the little bird before he we,
to sea. No, I'm not likely to pa
with him for that, dearie," indicatir
the coin with smiling contempt. "a,
and him all the chick or child I've q
left since Dick died. II minds me
my lad when I hear him sing so brigh
often when I'm feeling lonesome al
low-spirited he'll chime in so cheer
and set me thinkin' how my boy
coming soon-eh, dear! eh, dear! N
yon can't have him; but never min
never mind" He nodded kindly,
II to comfort her in her disappoir
ment.
Evelyn's patience could stand it
longer.
do you suppose want to keep t
poor bird?" she broke forth. IT ws
to buy 1t to give it back It's liberty,
ct it be free in the fields and the bl
sky. Surely you know how very, ve
cruel it is to con6ne q creature ma
to soar and sing at the very gates
heaven in narrow cage with seal
room TO turn"
This was delivered fluently. bein
verbatim quotation from her spec
ct the opening meeting of the befo
mentioned society.
Poor, miserable birdr' she G,
csnded, apostrophizing the unc'
scious lark.
The cobbler, simple soul! was
good deal taken sback at this convi
ing TRADE. He attempted q defen
however.