The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1907-07-18
A Lesson I'm
Giving.
Bv CECILIA A. LOIZEAUX.
Co,Yiohted, I'M, by p. c. EdStmcnt.

"Of course | like you to be sylnpa-
thetic and generous-it's all part OF
vou. But I do wish you could be MADE
to see the evils of such reckleSslS llGlS-
criminate giving" said Howard.
They had just passed a one armed
begyar, who had stepped in front OF
them with his monotonous whine TOR
coins. Howard, after a sharp glance
had said CURLY, Stand aside: had
brushed away the extended hand ana
taken Beth's arm to guide her past.
Rut with an exclamation of pity the
girl had turned back to empty into the
mans hand all the change in her little
gold mesh purse.
"My giving is not indiscrlmlnate'
That man was maiIled-he had only
one ARMAND the ether one was trem-
bling from palsy or Weakness an
swered Beth, with some heat.
"Aly dear, that mans hand is trem-
bling from drink, and as likely as not
be has another arm under his coat.
You don't realize what frauds these
professional beggars are. Can't you
see Beth. that it's the principle OF the
thing that is wrong? The money you
give so carelessly might better be used
for people who really need it, and you
seldom find that kind begging on the
streets"
They had reached Beth's home oy
this time, and, as usual, Howard went
in with her for the afternoon tea Betn
| ALWAYS made by the living room fire.
When they entered the house the sub
iect was not continued, though they
both felt dissatisfied. Beth busted her
self at the little table silently. There
was an angry light in her eyes, she
resented Howard's interference In such
things, and she told herself that How
ard was not quite what she had
thought him.
Howard was about to 60 when the
front door opened and shut, and Beth's
Uncle John, with whom she had lived
since the death Of her parents, came IN
and went up the stairs to his room
Howard settled back into his chair, for
he liked Beth's uncle, who was jolly
old man. But Beth looked unaccounta'
bly nervous, ratified the tea things and
rang the bell for more hot water. She
jumped guiltily as an irate voice from
upstairs called, "Beth"
eyes. uncle, what is it?" she called
back, going to the foot Of the stairs.
"What have you done with my gray
smoking jacket and those black slip
pers? can't find them anywhere, and
I left them right here on the floor. !
wish Mary wouldn't have cleaning up
streaks."
Beth darted queer glance at how
ard and then ran up the stairs. She
spoke so softly that Howard could not
hear what she said, but her uncle's
voice was far reaching, and the young
man listened shamelessly, for he guess
ed what was the matter. Now he
grinned silently to himself as the one
sided conversation went on.
"What the deucew he was fairly
roaring. "That jacket is the only one
I've ever had that's any good. And l
look like a peeled onion in that purple
thing, and you know it." There was a
silence. Then the voice In somewhat
softer tones went on.
"Well, if you can't rest unless you're
giving things away and my things are
attractive to you, you just make 1t q
point to ask me what I can get along
without. Well, then, give me my old
slippers"
Another silence.
"Do you mean to tell me that you
gave away that pair Of slippers that
I've been breaking in for year and
just got adjusted to my feet? BY
George! Who got those"
Silence.
"Well, he didn't need them as bad
as do. He couldn't feed my smoking
Jacket to a starving baby, and those
slippers will fit his sick wife to per
fection, I suppose. What else did you
give him?"
Another silence-then snort
There! That's enough! Don't tell
me too much at once! I'm liable to get
madr' When he heard Beth's heel
taps on the stairs Howard strolled to
the farthest window and turned inno-
Gently around to speak to Beth as II
nothing had happened. Her face was
red and her eyes wet.
"Uncle's cross tonight" she said air
ily. "I-he acts as If he had lost
something" She did not speak again,
but began to make fresh tea, and in
minute or two her uncle appeared In
the doorway. He had on a purple silk
Jacket and a purple cap stuck jauntily
over one ear on his bald head.
Look like the shah's butler, don't
~ the elder man said as he carefully
lowered his heavy figure into his easy
chair and stuck his feet out before
him. "Your turn will come. You'll live
to see your best shoes tripping down
the street, and you'll meet your hats
and coats and trousers strolling about
the city until you won't know whether