Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1907-12-16
THE BEG AR.

We had been talking Of mysterious
solicitations. today classed and named |
by science. from which 80 few OF US
are exempt. which iDvineibly compel
some TO add up the flowers Of wall |
paper. the volumes OF a library. every |
thing that In additional. under their |
eyes.
Somebody asked a young woman
present: And you. madam, are you
quite free Of our modern maniasf
Have you not a single little nervous
habit TO confessT
She appeared to search her memory
in all sincerity. She made sign with
her head, mo. no."
Doubtless her modesty feared the
boast of so complete an indemnity
when every one around her had ac-
knowledged all sorts OF little troubles.
She corrected herself.
Good heavens! can't say that !
habItually add up the cab numbers or
| that I make an inventory Of all my
dresses before going to bed. Still, the
other day / experienced something
that sufficiently resembles what you
have been describing, II have under
stood you quite--a kind Of interior Inn
pulsion, force which compels you to
accomplish an Indifferent act on the
| spot, as If II were matter OF life or
death"
We Insisted on hearing the story. and
she told It most graciously.
sIn a few words this Is what hap
pened to me: Five or six days ago |
had gone out with my little girl Suzon
You know her; she is eight. ] was
taking her to her class, for this big
girl already follows classes. As It
was very fine. we had decided on go
ing on foot by the Champs Elysees and
the bouleyards from my house to the
Rue LATTE. And so we we're walk
ing along quite gay. chattering togeth-
or, when at the top OF the Rond Point
a lame man. rather young, limped up to
as, holding out his hand without say
ing anything. carried my parasOl
In my right hand. With my left hand
held up my skirts. confess l had
not the patience to stop and hunt for
my purse. went on and gave moth
ing 10 the pegghr'
"suzon and I continued to walk
along the Champs Eiysees. The little
one had suddenly ceased to talk, and |
also, without quite knowing why, no
longer felt any wish to talk. We were
az the Place de Ia COneorde, and yet
we had neither Of us opened our lips
since we had passed the beggar. And
little by little felt stir and increase. a
kind of inward disquietude. an uneasi-
ness. the feeling Of having accomplish
Cd an Irreparable action. OF being
threatened. for that very reason. with
vague peril In the future. In general
strive to see clearly within myself
az far as possible, and thus, all in
walking. I began to examine my con-
science:
"'Iet us see,' said to myself; have
slnned very grievously against char
ity in giving nothing to that beggarl
never pretend to regard II as my
duty to give to every beggar meet.
will be more generous with the next;
that Is ALL
"But all my arguments did not sue
coed In convincing me, and my inward
discomfort increased. became a sorl
OF anguish, 50 that ten times l felt q
wish to turn back to the spot where
we had met that man. VIII you be-
lieve III It was a false sentiment OF
human respect that withheld me from
doing so In the presence Of my little
daughter. We are really worth moth
Ing the moment we act In view Of the
Judgment OF others,
I'VE had nearly come to the end Of
our walk. and we were going to TURF
the corner Of the Rue LATTE. wheI
suzon pulled gently at my dress d
stop me.
'Nfammar she cried.
"'What do you want. darllngr
, "she iixed her great blue eyes OF
me and said gravely;
. Mamma. why did you give moth
ing to that poor man In the Champs
. Eiysecsf
Like me- she had thought OF moth
! ing else since our meeting with tina
man. Her heart was oppressed llk'
mine, only. better than her mother. o
more sincere. she confessed quite sim
i, ply her uneaslness.
II did not hesitate an instant. 'Yol
: are right. dearest ] said to her.
) "We had walked more quickly thar
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