Evening journal., 1899-09-08
A FIRST EXPERIENCE.


tall, handsome girl, with dark, pensive eyes
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
the world, aud knows none on whom TO lay
the blame. She sought mission, 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, a food Of sweet song seemed TO
soothe her ruiiied feelings. A lark, impris-
oned in a 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, com
bined with some odd satisfaction. Here at
last was an opportunity to do good, even 1t
were but obtaining the freedom Of one poor,
hopeless lark. And who more suited to the
task than she, the president, seliconsti-
tuted only three days since, OF the "
Society for the Promotion of Christian Char
ity Toward Animals2 The song that had
soothcd her unawares now made her soul
burn within her. Crossing the road with de-
cded step. she entered little shop, over the
door of which the bird sang on. Ii was
oobber's workshop. she found, scattered as
chplaoesare with implements Of the trade,
and pervaded with the pleasant smell Of
lsather. A little, bent old man, with large
spectaclcs on his wrinkled nose, and deft
lean fingers that moved nimbly over the
rough letther put aside his work and shut
/ fed forward TO the counter. lie moved
slowly and with difficulty, for his old limbs
were getting past their work. Pleasantly,
but rather curiousy, 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.
"Ths bird" she began, rather timidly; is
/ It yours?'
The cobber looked at the cage with visible
pride.
YES, yes, miss my bird sure enough; and
afine bird, too; not better bird in all NJ,
miss" lie rubbed his hands and smiled
genialy. 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 of his song. II was my
boys, my Dicks youngest that's gone for
I
just as il might have been you, miss, to-day,
with the bird in his hand, and says he
"3ut begin your pardon; you was say
ing"
"What will you take for the bird?" she
asked, not feeling quite 80 sure Of her cause,
now she had actually plunged into the bat
tie.
"Wouldn't sell him, miss; wouldn't take
i az
Evelyn took out her purse and counted its
contents-two and sevenpence halfpenny.
She drew out two shillings, saying in firm
! penny more"
The old man looked at her kindly, and ex.
r planned gently, as If to a child (it was really
very irritating):
"So, miss, don't want 10 sell him. 1 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 Kim for that, dearie
e indicating the coin with smiling contempt
'Ay, and him all the chick or child I've goI
) left since Dick died. minds me O. my
lad when hear him sing 80 bright; often
when I'm feeling lonesome and low-spirited
, he'll chime in so'eheery, and set me thinlun'
how my boys comm soon-eh, dearl eh,
, dearl No. you can't have him; but never
8 mind, never mind" He nodded kindly, as
if to comfort her ia her disappointment.
Evelyn's patience could stand It no longer
do you suppose / want to keep the poor
q bird? 2" she broke forth. Il want to buy 1t to
give il back its liberty, to letit be free in the
}. fields and the blue sky. Surely you know how
v very, very cruel il is to confne a creature
> made to soar and sing at the very gates Of
e Heaven in a narrow cage with scarce room
to turnl"
}, This was delivered fuently, being a YER
), batim quotation from her speech at the
opening meeting o. the before-mentoned
y society.
, "Poor, miserable bird" she concluded
q apostrophizing the unconscious lark.
:. The cobbler simple soul, was a good deal
= taken aback at this convincing TRADE. II
attempted defeHse, however:
;, 'Nay, he's not miserable-hear to hin
q sing. Would he sing like that il he weren'i
a happy"
Il 'Yes, cried Evelyn, che sings because h.
loEgs TO be free That is the song Of despair
d and not of joy
Il The old fellows face fell. Her eloqueno'
10 half convinced him. Evelyn felt rathe
B. heated, and wanted, she didn't know why
Vt 10 get out Of the shop.
|, Come" she said, again proiienns a coin
y "two and six, and far more taan the wrsich
u ed bird is worth"
e NAY" he said, sadly, 'Im not going q
sell him. He's like an old friend to me, an'
q he loves me too, that he does"
keep your bird, then, cried the angr.
reformor. Keep it, and let it die in its mis-
= cradle prison. Some day you viii perhap
= repent your wanton crueltyl' With whicl
grandioqucnt threat she departed, wit
rather more haste than dignity
That night, getting into bed Evelyn cam
70 TO the conclusion that she had made rathc
N a poor show.
(. She had also a lurking idea that her motiv
,e had not been quite so much the cause q
Z Righteousness as the pleasure of reportin
u progress TO her new society. Her passionat
y. words kept recurring to her mind as She ia
b sleepless half through the night. She wor
% dered if little birds had their duty to do, a
she had; whether, perhaps, in giving pleas
:. ure to a lonely old man declining days, Oh
lark might not be unconsoiously doing II
10 great Makers bidding in the place for wmc
:. He intended it. She was, she decided. ovei
A young TO judge SO hastily And. fcIrg