The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-07-19
Two Sides 10 a Question.


Evelyn Carpenter was a girl of de-
cided opinions. She was also possessed
OF a will of her own. and "A very deter
mined way Of enforcing j. A rather
tall, handsome girl. with dark, pensive
eyes and smooth thoughtful brow, In
rather comical contrast with the proud
bearing and independent appearance OF
their ownerShe wended her way home
ward with the quick, Irregular step of
one who chafes inwardly at the world,
| and knows none on whom 10 lay the
| blame. She sought a mission, new
| sphere or action for the beneht or her
1 fellow creatures
Suddenly, before she had sufficiently
| awakened from her reverie 10 notice
1 whence IL came, a Hood or sweet song
| seemed 10 soothe her rufied feelings. A
| lark, Imprisoned in narrow cage.
| poured forth 10 the needless world OUT
side It's soul OF melody through hard
4 bars OF wire
| The sense of relief which had stolen
| over the girl gave place TO one or an
| ger, combined With some odd satlsfac-
| tion. Here at last was an opportunity
| TO do good, even il il were but obtain
-ng the freedom of one poor hopeless
| lark. And who more suited 10 the TASK
| than she. the president, self-constitu-
ltu Only lniee days since, ol lic ~
| Society for the Promotion or CHRISTIAN
| Charity Toward Animals? The song
\ that had sOOthed her unaWareS now
| made her soul bum within her. Cross
| ing the road with decided step, she en-
tered a little shop. over the door or
which the bird sang on. IL was cob
bler's workshop. she found, scattered
as such places are with implements Of
the trade. and perVaded with the pleas
ant smell Of leather. little, Dent Ola
man. with large spectacles on MS Mrln-
killed. nose. and deft lean fingers that
moved nimbly over the rough leather.
put aside his work and shuffied for
ward 10 the counter. He moved slowly
and with difficulty, for his old limbs
were getting past their work. Pleasant
ly, but rather curiously. lie bade her
Good day" scarce hoping for work i'm
his poor shop from 80 smart and nicely
dressed a lady Evelyn felt somewhat
uneasy at the old mans harmless as
pect.
This BIRD" she began rather timid-
y; lis IL yoursg'
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 N miss" He rubbed his hands
| and smiled genialiy. Evelyn was silent
as he continued half TO himself as old
men do:
1 IoAI AtdfS TX ~ We niu Dlnls lohT
years, and scarce a day off lis song.
| IL was my boys. my Dicks youngest
' that's gone for sailor; IL seems only
| yesterday he came IN just as il might
have been you. miss, today, with the
bird IN his hand, and says he
But beggn' your pardon; you was
saying?"---
What will you take for the bird?"
| she asked, not feeling quite so Are of
her cause. now she had actually
plunged into the battle.
Wouldn't sell him. mss; wouldn't
take a sovereign for him. not If was
starving"
Evelyn took out her purse and count
ed it's contents--two and sevenpence
halfpenny. She drew out two shillngs,
saying I'm firm and superior tones:
Two shill.ngs: not penny more.
The old man looked at her kindly,
ant explained gently, as If To a child
on was really very irritating):
mo. miss. ! don't want TO sell him.
was sayin, you see, II was 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 mind me O my lad
when / hear him sing so bright, often
when I'm feeling lonesome and low
spirited he'll chime i'm so CHEEKY. and
set me thinkin' how my boys coming
soon--eh, dear. eh. dear, No. you cant
have him; but never mind never mind.
He nodded kindly. as if to comfort her
, i'm her disappointment
Evelyns patience could stand it no
longer
do you suppose ! want 10 keep the
| poor bird?" she broke forth. Il want To
buy IL TO give IL back its liberty. to let
IL be free i'm the fields and the blue sky.
Surely you know how very very cruel
! ii is TO confine a creature made 10 soar
and sing at the very gates of heaven
| i'm narrow cage with scarce room 10
| turn"
This was delivered huently, being a
verbatim quotation from her speech at
| the opening meeting Of the before men
| toned society.
Poor. miserable bird" she conclu-
ded. apostrophizng the unconscious
| lark
The cobbler. simple soul, was a good
deal taken aback at this convincing IL
rade. He attempted a defence, how
| ever
him sing: would he sing like that IL
Nay he's not miserable-hear
he weren't happy
| Yes" cried Evelyn, he sings be-
cause he longs 10 be free; that is the
song of despair. and not of joy
The old fellows face fell. Her elo-
( quence half convinced him. Evelyn felt
| rather heated. and wanted. she didn't
know why, to get out Of the shop.
Come" she said. again proherng
| coin. Two and six. and far more than
| the wretched bird is worth
| may" he said sadly. TIN not going
| TO sell him. He's like an old friend 10
\ me. and he loves me. too. that he does.
| Keep your bird. then cried the an
CRY reformer; keep a., and let Z die
/ I'm its miserable prison. some day You
will perhaps repent your wanton cruel
| ty'" with which grandiloquent threat
| she departed. with rather more haste
than dignity.
That night. getting nto bed, Evelyn
! came - the conclusion that she had
| made rather poor show.
| She has also y lurking idea that her
! motive had not been quite go much the
| cause of righteousness as the pleasure
+, of reporting progress 20 her new soCie-
| ty Her passionate words kept recur-
! ring 10 her mind as she lay sleepless
half through the night She wondered
| n little birds had their duty to do. as
| she had whether. perhaps. I'm giving
| pleasure to a lonely old mans decln-
| ing days. the lark might not he uncon-