Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-31
AROUND THE CITY

The poor little woman who carries flag
WIS selling newspapers on the avenue last
night. Trade was brisk, and she darted
III and out among the passers-by, as fleet
of foot and quick of eye as any 'newsy''
in the profession. She is garrulous little
soul. and the lulls between business were
filled in with remarks, flung at any one
who would listen, childish laughter, and
snatches of patriotic songs. And always she
waved flag.
A big man with kindly voice and whim-
steal eye stopped to buy a paper.
Hello, Becky! How do you find yourself
tonight?"
The oldish face under the felt hat bright
ened with a smile that belongs to child
hood
I'm fne-hurrah for the Star Spangied
banner-here you are-that's a nice fellow /:
told me to keep the change-Oh, Columbia,
the Gem of the Ocean. Hi, you bow leave
my flag alone. That all the respect you got
for the flag of your country? The flag vour
father fought for?-Pa-per. Gee, that
mans stupid Tramp, tramp, tramp, the
boys are marching
The big man waited until the bit of hu-
man quicksilver had danced back to him,
then he resumed the conversation.
stu carrying your flag. Becky?"
L always carry it, she answered giving
II an extra flap, by way of emphasis when
die 1t will be buried with me. / carry it
all day, and at night l hug 1t in my arms
IN the enid OF the regiment. Oh. the Star
r. Hold on, Becky. l want to talk to you
IS that coat warm enough, and don't your
hands e1,s,sl get t. cold without gloves?"
sure, I'm warm The flag warns me-
I'm the child of the regiment and / was
porn III the army. ought to have a silk
nag, and home-my father left rs one
Gown yonder at Seven Pines in old Vir-
9
the insane asylum and no more crazy than
me-Pa-per! Here, you man, don't buy
from that boy, you know you always gel
one from me-Thanky. sir
Becky'S friend: ~
m stranger here, and I've been watch
ing that little woman. Is 1t quite safe for
her to be on the streets?"
Why not? You see she can earn her 1v
ing and she loves her freedom like q bird
loves the sky. Between the police and fhe
cnarity organizations she is well looked ar
s ser ana even the newsboys who pretend to
steal ner customers and tease her about
her nag would fight for poor Becky's rights
any day in the year. 49,
Granked on the flag isn't sheY,
We'll l suppose that's the right word
Ivy 1t makes an interesting problem Becky
rather was soldier In the civil war and
she was born In camp-so. you see. she
regiment. And let me tell you. sir. there's
no old soldier living, from the head of the
Grand Army down to myself veteran jr,
the rank and file. who reveres the nag
more than does that poor. little .rresponsi-
pie woman. She guards it night and day
ana says she would die In its derenso
Tnats what believe she would do. VIVA.
could any man do more? Say. Becky. come
mere and talk to this gentle,
But the child of the regiment had sp.sd
customer and was after him with me-
papers and her flag
Three young men were going I'm q s,rea&
arm In arm. They stepped out brdsxiv
Dull with lureh that sometimes bt,n1ned
them against the houses and somet1rnes
landed them on the wrong side Of the
cure. Al each n1ishap they came to a
sudden standstill, and then made a fresh
start in the middle Of the fiaggtnr--onIy
to go wrong again.
once they collided with party OF young
people who were going home from mass
as bHtheiy as II the frosty pavement and
gray sky were a blue and silver dawn.
VI course. no one gets cross on Chr1stmas
other and Eisgled as the intruders bounced
on, and the father-like man who had them
In tow said something about the egvno9
being good and strong.
The three men heard neither the sfggies
nor the comment. having plunged forward
crossing curb. They steadied each other
however. and reached the opposite side OF
the street successfully, whereupon they
wheeled toward the left. A woman, who
was one Of party walking not far be-
hind. called out to them as they turned:
ITO the right Keep to the right.
The men stopped. and three alert faces
were turned back toward the speaker
Fon are going the wrong way. Tura
- - 49, 49, g