New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-28
TWO SIDES TO A QUESTION.
From The Sunday Magazine.


ions She was also possessed Of a will Of her
own and a very determined way Of enforcing it
rather tall, handsome girl with dark. PEN
sive eyes and smooth, thoughtful brow, in
rather comical contrast with the proud bearing
| and independent appearance Of their owner.
She wendell her way homeward with the quick,
irregular step Of one who chafes inwardly at
the world and knows none on whom 10 lay the
blame She sought mission, a new sphere Of
action for the benefit Of her fellow-creatures.
Suddenly. before she had sufficiently awak-
ened from her revere to notice whence IL came.
a flood Of sweet song seemed to soothe her ruff
fed feelings. lark, imprisoned in narrow
cage, poured forth to the needless world out
side 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, combined with
some odd satisfaction. Here at last was an
opportunity to do good even If il were but OBJ
tanning 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 NJ Society for the Promotion Of
Christian Charity Toward Animals? 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 cob
bler's workshop, she found, scattered as such
places are with implements Of the trade, and
pervaded with the pleasant smell Of leather. A
little, bent old man. with large spectacles on MS
wrinkled nose, and deft lean fingers that moved
nimbly over the rough leather, put aside his
work and shuffied forward to the counter He
y,
limbs 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 tmdy; is it
yours?"
The cobbler looked at the cage with visible
pride
Yes yes miss, my bird sure enough; and
fine bird, too; not better bird in all ",
Miss" He rubbed his hands and smiled gent
ally. Evelyn was silent as he continued, half TO
himself as old mel do:
-Four years it is I've had him: four years, and
scarce day off his song 1t was my boys. my
Dicks youngest that's gone for sailor; II
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
mgr
What will you take for the bird?" she asked.
not feeling quite so sure of her cause, now she
had actually plunged into the battle.
Wouldn't sell him. miss wouldn't take a SOW
ereign 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
perior tones: Two shillngs; not a penny
more"
The old man looked at her kindly and ex-
planned gently if to child dt really
very irritating):
mo. miss, don't want to sell him. was
sayin. you see ii my lad gave me the little
bird before he went TO sea. No. I'm not likely
to part with him for that, dearie" indicating the
coin with smiling contempt. "Ay, and him all
the chick or child I've got left since Dick died
II minds me ~ my lad when hear him sing so
bright; often when I'm feeling lonesome and
lowspirited he'll chime in so CHEEKY and set me
thnkn how my boys coming sOon-eh, dear!
EN- dear, No you can't have him. but never
mind, never mind" He nodded kindly, if to
comfort her in her disappointment.
Evelyn's patience could stand il no longer.
"Do you suppose | want TO keep the poor
bird?' she broke forth II want 10 buy it to
give it back its liberty TO let it be free in the
fields and the blue sky Surely you know how
very, very cruel ii is to cOnfine creature made
to soar and sing at the very gates of heaven in
a narrow cage with scarce room to turn"
This was delivered fuently being verbatim
quotation from her speech at the opening meet
ing of the before mentioned society.
Poor. miserable bird" she concluded, apos-
trophiZing the unconscious lark
The cobber simple soul. was a good deal
taken aback at this convincing TRADE He at
tempted defence. however.
Nay. he's not miserable-hear TO him sing;
would he sing like that if he weren't happy?"
Yes" cried Evelyn, he sings because he
longs to be free that is the song OF despair, and
not of joy.
The old fellows face fell. Her eloquence half
convinced him Evelyn felt rather heated, and
wanted, she didn't know why, to get out of the
shop.
come" she said, again proffering a coin
Two and six. and far more than the wretched
bird is worth"
Nay" he said sadly. I'm not going to sell
him. He's like an old friend to me, and he loves
me, too. that he does"
Keep your bird. them" cried the angry re-
former: keep it, and let il die in its miserable
prison. Some day you will perhaps repent your
wanton cruelty" With which grandiloquent
threat she departed, with rather more haste
than dignity.
That night, getting into bed Evelyn came to
the conclusion that she had made rather a poor
show.
She had also a lurking idea that her motive
had not been quite much the of right
eousness the pleasure of reporting progress
10 her society. Her passionate words kept