Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-03
Two Little RunaWayS
BY MINERVA SPENCER HANDY.

Edna and Ruth were cousins. They
lived on opposite sides of the street In
village on the beautiful Hudson Ihey
had no other companions, for their moth
ers did not approve of their playing with
the children of the butcher, the baker
and the candlestick maker
One day a man with two bears came to
town The bears performed the most
wonderful antics, marvellous indeed, 10
the little girls who were unfamiliar TO
the many delights known to the children
in the city. When the bear stopped In
front Of Edna's house Ruth asked VIM
ME, her nurse, If she could go to Ednas
to watch him. Winnie said yes, for Ruth
was allowed to go that far alone The
two children watched the show with ex-
cited faces and oft clapping hands, and
after taking the money Ednas mother
gave him the man started of in the dlrec-
ton of Ruth's house. Edna and Ruth fol-
lowed him. but unluckily the man turned
to the village instead.
The children were broken-hearted at
this change of plan. They knew he would
repeat the tricks down at the next cor
ner, where a host of ragged, Jagged, dirty
village children had gathered, but the
fun would be just the same.
Whether Ruth breathed temptation into
Edna's ear, or Edna into Ruth's ear, no
one knows, but the two daintily dressed
children, with their curls topped with
great white bows, started down the street.
In a few moments they were mingled
with the other children who were de-
lightedly watching Mr.. and Mrs. Bear In
their tricks.
After the first step of wrongdoing, the
second was easy. Once they had started
to follow the leader no thought of home,
duty or anything entered into the heads
of the up-to-this-time Obedient little
girls. Truth to tell they were enjoying
: their freedom with unmistakable delight.
little girl edged up close to Edna and her
cousin, and she confidingly took hand
of each in her own, which was very
sticky and very dirty, if very friendly.
Don't youse want some chewin' gum?
she generously inquired
Chewing gum! Neither Ruth nor Edna
had ever tasted the mixture. They had
often begged to, but their mothers had
said it wasn't ladylike. Little the chill
dren cared. Everything that was lady
like was stupid. They longed for things
that were childlike and jolly. Patsy, Es-
meralda's brother, had an extra piece,
and before either little girl realized what
she was doing Patsys piece was bitten in
half. and Ruth and Edna experienced the
delightful sweetness. and were soon
chewing away like old offenders.
When the bear man moved on the group
of youngsters followed him. Edna and
Ruth were among them. The sun was hot
and their faces were soon dripping with
perspiration. AS result both their curls
(Which were of the roll-up-in-rags va
riety) came sadly out of curl They hung
about their ears, as limp, pathetic apollo
gies of having seen better days. Esmer-
aida tried to retie the spotless white rib
bons. AS her hands were very dirty,
after a dozen efforts the ribbons couldn't
have been recognized by their best
friends AS if ashamed of the company
they were in, the ribbons finally refused
| to stay on at all, and their owners showed
them into their sleeves, their stringing
locks in consequence hanging over their
faces in the most reckless manner
On and on went the children. Their
shoes next came united, with their efforts
, to climb fences or walls. as they endeav-
ored to gain better places to see the per-
Torrance.
Their white socks tubmled down over
| the loosened shoes, and few more
| climbs reduced their crisp white dresses
| to state of dilapidation sad to behold.
Did Ruth and Edna care? Not they They
| were having the most beautiful time of
| their lives. Birthday parties, Christmas
presents, all faded into insigniicance be-
| side this recklessly delightful pursuit OF
| the man with the bears.
| How quickly the time passed. Neither
| little girl had the faintest idea that she
| was two miles from home and it was
| after 8 o'clock. The fact is, they wished
| the blessed afternoon would last forever
| At the final performance they clapped