Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-15
Copyright, 1907. By
W. B. MAXWELL.
All Rights ResefveJ.

i
won my freedom. And look at my figure.
1 have regained my lost fgure-look at
my wasp waist. A young lady told me
the other day I was as lean as "a grey
hound. And I'm as strong as non;
Catch hold Of my arm-feel 1t. Whip cord
and steel. Catch hold of my leg-feel
Don't be an ass. You're old enough
no be my grandmother. Feel 1t. l say
Hard and straight, as a cast iron drain
pipe. II you pitched me out in
the world now I'd laugh I'm worth my
grub and pay now-all the word over.
Mrs. Price recounted to Lizzie the
exuberance and joyful chatter Of the
He come running to tell me about it
just like a child. And laugh and snap
his fingers. There. he made me dance
with him. Miss Lizzie-he did. indeed
she went on to report the gratifying COM
pliment paid her by Mr.. Jack He said
/ was the one in this house that was
fondest Of him-and that's true. Miss
Lizzie. ia go through fire and water
for him If he asked me.
II never knew the master lent him
the money. but I'm proud to think he
done so. He never dunned him to pay
back. I'm sure-and that proves how
good Mr.. Jack Is for to be so pleased in
Another day. when Lizzie was alone.
Mrs. Price with smiles and mods and
mysterious mien approached Mr.. Jacks
desk
Miss Lizzie-you very busy? can
show you something to make you laugh.
DESK
What are YOU doing? You are not
yes. / am" said Mrs. Price. "Lor'-
he wouldn't mind. He may come in now
and catch me for all / care"
Yes, but l care. I don't want to see
anything that Mr.. Vincent keeps shut in
his DESK
And Lizzie would not look. although
Mrs Price brought the hidden curiosity
was square of cardboard. on which Mr..
Vincent had pasted his I. o. U. Above
and beneath this interesting relic he had
written in large and cierkly hand; and
Mrs. Price laughingly rscited the inscrip-
ton.
John Vincents w0rk-that's the writ
ing. miss-This debt was discharged and
the documentary evidence recovered-Pm
reading the writing, miss-by the savings
of the earnings of the work of John Vim
cent: Day after day, to the astonish-
ment of himself and all mankind. John
Vincent has worked and is now working.
- There" said Mrs. Price, restoring
the vainglorious p.acaid to the desk. lust
like any child-who feels he's been good
and says So"
delight that dubbed out of him, and
found expression not only on cardboard.
but in his conversation. 1t seemed that
he had truly felt the burden of debt
weighing upon him and that with the
load thrown off he felt a joyous free
dom. Self satisfaction. together with
the loss of flesh. now rendered him even
boyish of aspect as he prattled of the
pleasures of independence and so forth.
If he did not directly speak of himself.
DrY1I hot ho hi fv1rw NJ
himself and his famous achievement. He
exhibited the boyish egotism which one
forgives because of its candor and inno-
cence.
Miss Lizzie. You know I'm riding
again. That's the only thing l missed
my rides. But now 1 get my rides before
my work."
Lizzie politely conveyed her compli-
ments on this gratifying fact. She was
glad to learn that Mr.. Vincent could now
afford the luxury of horse riding.
"Oh, no." said Jack. Il couldn't afford
Banker. the riding master, and asked to
help him exercise his horses. Good chap,
Banker. He said yes just out Of kind
ness. The worst of it, is his horses don't
has bought young 'un-and he does
want that well schooled-for Miss Irene
Hope to ride. Miss Hope wrings
all their backs. You know how she twists
about on a chair-well, she does the same
on horse"
Lizzie smiled, and for once encouraged
Mr.. Vincent to go on chattering. She dis
liked Miss Hope SO much that she en-
joyed hearing how badly Miss Hope
rode
Banker is a real good sort-a grand
worker. He has been working all this
time for his sister. When her husband
died she was left with the business and
those little children-anf the business
might have gone to pot and the children
starved but for Banker. A good chap like
that ought to marry and be happy ever
after. I'd like to see Banker happy with
a nice, kind. pretty wife-because he Is
such a good Sort
Mr.. Jack had nothing further to say
about squirming Irene, and Lizzie ceased
to encourage him. After paying his
tribute to the virtue of Banker he passed
on to his own virtue and became too
egotistical even for a child.
my waist almost frightens me-" and
he pulled in his jacket. 'Wasps some
times break in two at the waist. Do you
remember what a fat podge used to
be? Oh. was-I weighed at least
three stone too much. Dieting Is the
grand thing. Miss Lizzie, am very care
Never to exceed. l mean. If you
want to be in, really fine condition you
can't be too careful about eating-and
drinking"
Lizzie very rarely indeed encouraged
Mr.. Jack to talk in business hours. She
checked him by long pauses. inattentive
answers and final silence. He knew that
he must not talk to her and waste both
his and her time.
One morning he was plainly wasting his
time while she busily worked. He sat.
idly musing-nibbling the end of pencil
while he watched her working.
His idle scrutiny troubled her at last
and she looked up and asked IL he was
in need of anything.
"Oh, no. l was only thinking
Lizzie. went on with her work.
Il was thinking of your pretty blue
dresses. You don't wear them now-and
I'm SO fond of blue. I told you how 1
admired them, and l was wondering If
that was why you gave up wearing them
because you thought had bad taste"
How. absurd" said Lizzie, after a
pause. II have worn out my old dresses.
and haven't bought any new dresses this
year."
when you buy one. do get it like the
very oldest one-the one you wore years
and years ago when l first came here"
and Jack got up, went to the window and
looked out - Bigger. of course;
that one wouldn't fit you. But that was
the one l liked you best in.
Shall. tell you why, Miss Lizzie?
Because in that dress you were
kinder to me than you are now-more of
a friend. You know, your father
is pleased with me- and he smiled. Mrs.
Price is very pleased with me- Mary
doesn't mind me- That's three people
in this house. l think. if l went away.
I should leave in this house three real
friends"
Thav fbar