Evening journal., 1899-07-24
A FIRST EXPERIENCE.

ldli, Adnusouc blil, Win udAhi peAnifp - Cd
and smooth, thoughtful brow, in rather |
comical contrast with the proud bearing and |
independent appearance Of their owner. She
wended her way homeward with the quick, |
irregular step OF one who chafes inwardly at I
the world, and knows none on whom TO lay |
the blame She sought mission, a new
sphere Of action for the benefit Of her fellow |
creatures.
Suddenly, before she had sufficiently
awakened from her reveric to notice whence
it came, flood Of sweet song seemed to
soothe her rufied feelings A lark, impris-
oned in narrow cage, poured forth 10 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 anger, rom
bined with some odd satisfaction. Here at
last was an opportunity to do good, even if it
were but obtaining the freedom Of one poor,
hopeless lark. And who more suited to the
task than she, the president, selt.consti-
tuted only three days since, Of the "
Society for the Promotion of Christian Char
ity Toward Animalsg The song that had
s6othed her unawares now made her soul
burn within her. Crossing the road with de-
cided step, she entered little shop, over the
door Of which the bird sang on. IL was a
cobher's workshop, she found, scattered as
such placesare with implements Of the trade,
and pervaded with the pleasant smell of
leather 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 shuf-
fed forward to the counter. lie moved
slowly and with difficulty, for his old limbs
were getting past their work. Pleasantly,
but rather curiously, he bade her Good
day" scarce hoping for work in his poor
shop from so smart and nicely dressed
lady. Evelyn felt somewhat uneasy at the
old mans harmless aspect.
"This bird" she began, rather timidly; ''is
it yoursY
Thecobbler looked at the cage with visible
pride.
eyes, yes, miss, my bird sure enough; and
a fine bird, too; not a better bird in all N,
miss" He 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; four years,
and scarce a day off his song. 1t was my
, boys, my Dicks youngest that's gone for a
sailor; it seems only yesterday he came in
just as it might have been you, miss, to-day,
/ with the bird in his hand, and says he
"But begin your pardon; you was say
ing"
"What will you take for the bird?" she
asked, not feeling quite so sure Of her cause,
now she had actually plunged into the bat
tie.
Wouldn't sell him, miss; wouldn't take
a sovereign for him, not if was starving"
Evelyn took out her purse and counted its
contents-two and sevenpence halfpenny
She drew out two shillings, saying in firm
and superior tones: 1.-TWO shillings; not q
/, penny more"
The old man looked at her kindly, and ex
q planned gently, as if to a child (t was really
: very irritating):
"No, miss, don't want TO sell him. wa.
= sayin'. you see, it was nay lad gave me thu
t little bird before he went 10 sea. No, In
4 not likely to part with him for that, dearie,
Indicating the coin with smiling contempt
q GAY, and him all the chick or child I've go
t left since Dick died. minds me o my
q lad when / hear him sing so bright; Otter
when Pm feeling lonesome and low-spiriteC
Il he'll chime in so CHEEKY, and set me thinkin
G how my boys comm soon--eh, dearl eh
r. dearl No. YOU can't have him; but nevei
2 mind, never mind" He nodded kindly, a
if to comfort her in her disappointment.
70 Evelyn's patience could stand it no longer
"Do you suppose want to keep the poo
1 bird?" she broke forth. "I want to buy it L
give it back its liberty, to let it be free in tn
~ fields and the blue sky. Surely you know HOY
very, very cruel it is to confine a creatur
n. made to soar and sing at the very gates @
= Heaven in a narrow cage with scarce roor
= to turnl"
III This was delivered fuently, being a vel
,e batim quotation from her speech at th
so opening meeting Of the before-mentione
society.
Poor, miserable bird" she concluded
i1 apostrophizing the unconscious lark.
at The cobbler, simple soul, was a good del
IN taken aback at this convincing TRADE. II
az attempted defense, however:
"Nay, he's not miserable-hear to hil
nc sing. Would he sing like that If he weren
e. happy?"
or eyes, cried Evelyn, che sings because
H. longs to be free. That is the song Of despai
-. and not of JOY"
e' The old fellows face fell. Her eloquen'
half convinced him. Evelyn felt rath'
ng heated, and wanted she didn't know VIII
tb TO get ont Of the shop.
u. Come" she said, again prohering a col
's "two and six, and far more taan the wretc
Ist ed bird is worth
er "Nay," he said, sadly, I'm not going
od sell him. He's like an old friend to me, al
he loves me too, that he does
keep your bird then" cried the ang
refomer. "Keep it, and let it die in its m.
cradle prison Some day YOU viii perha
wO repent your wanton crueltyl' With whi
rk grandiloquent threat she departed, wi
ro- rather more haste than dignity.
he That night, getting into bed, Evelyn car
rs, TO the conclusion that she had made rath
lrr poor show.
in She had also a lurking idea that her mott
iss had not been quite SO much the cause
he Righteousness as the pleasure Of report
W progress 20 her new society. Her passiona
.ct, words kept recurring to her mind as she
RS, sleopless half through the night She w
lay dered if little birds had their duty to do,
MS she had; whether, perhaps, in giving pie
ure to lonely old man. declining days, ;
lark might not be unconsciously doing
. great Makers bidding in the place for VIII
isl He intended it. She was, she decided, on
mn Young to judge so hastily. And beinl
80 thoughtful and conscientious girl, she bra
I'M ly resolved to 60 the next morning, hum
p ~ ha,. rfida fo fhn duef and own herself