Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1899-08-14
Two Sides to a Question.


of a will of her own, and very de-
termined way of enforcing 1t. A rather
tall, handsome girl, with dark, penslVe
ewes and smooth, thoughtful brow, N
rather comical contrast with the PROUD
hearing and independent appearance OF
their owner. She wandered her way
homeward with the quick, irregular
step Of one who chafes inwardly at the
world. and knows none on whom to lay
the blame. She sought mission,
new sphere of action for the beneht OF
her fellow creatures.
suddenly, before she had sufficiently
awakened from her reverie to notice
whence it came, flood of sweet song
seemed to soothe her ruffied feelings.
A lark. imprisoned in narrow cage,
noured forth to the needless world OUT
side it's soul of melody through nara
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 90
good. even if it were but obtaining the
freedom of one poor hopeless lark. Ana
who more suited to the task than she,
the president, self-constituted only
three days since, of the N SocleIy
for tbe Promotion Of Christian Charity
Toward Animals? The song that hao
soOthed her unawares now MADE her
soul burn within her. Crossing therOad
with decided step, she entered little
ebon. over the door of which the bird
sang on. 1t was a cobbler's Workshop
she found, scattered as such places are
with implements of the trade, ana pei
vaded with the pleasant smell OF leaCn-
or little. bent old man, with large
snectacles on his wrinkled nose, ana
deft lean fingers that moved n1mply
over the rough leather, put aside his
work and shuffled forward to the count
err. He moved slowly and with dill
entity. for his old limbs were getting
mast their work. Pleasantly, but rath-
ar curiously, he babe 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.
FThis Bird she began rather umld-
ly; sis it yours"
The cobbler looked at the cage with
visible pride.
Eyes, yes, miss, my bird sureenough;
and fine bird, too; not better BIRD
in all N, miss" He rubbed his
hands and smiled genially. Evelyn
was silent as he continued, half TO MINI
self. as old men do:
"Four years it is I've had him; tour
years. and scarce a day off his song. 1t
was NV boys, my Dicks youngest
that's gone for a sailor; it seems only
Yesterday he came in just as 1t might
have been you, miss, today, with the
bird in his hand, and says he
But begin your pardon; you was
saying?
what will you take for the bird!
she asked, not feeling quite so sure OF
her cause, now she was actually IN the
battle.
wouldn't sell him, miss; Wouldn
take a sovereign for him, not if was
starving"
EVELYN took out her purse and count
ed it's contents-two and seven pence
half-penny. She drew out two sh1ll-
ings. saying in firm and superior
tones: "Two shillings; not a penny
more"
The old man looked at her kindly,
and explained gently, as if to child
lit was really very irritating):
mo, miss, 1 don't want to sell him.
7 was sayin', you see, it 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, ana
him all the chick or child I've got left
since Dick died. 1t minds me O my
lad when I'm feeling lonesome and low
spirited, he'll chime in so cherry ana
set me thinkin' how my boys coming
soon-eh, dear! Ell, dear! NO, you
can't have him; but never mind; never
mind" He nodded kindly, as If TO
comfort her in her disappointment.
Evelyn's patience could stand it no
longer.
"Do you suppose want to keep the
poor bird?" she broke forth. II want
to 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 it is to conf1ne a 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 a
verbatim quotation from her speech at
the opening meeting of the before
mentioned society.
Poor miserable bird!" she conclud
ed, apostrophizing the unconscious
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