The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-03-03

ter,'' she said, gloatingly. slipping the coin into her pocket. "Ah, 1t takes me to spot the giyers and you to get it, my pretty little daughter. Now, there comes a gay young couple. Quiek!-the man! See, them that's laughing and the girl with the white furs on? Quick!' And again Madame Blanchard drew within the shadow of the doorway, pushing Lisa for ward.
 "Please, sir. give me a penny"
 But the young couple did not hear the plaintive chid's voice at their elbow nor see the pitiful face that looked up at them. Before Lisa's request for aims was finished they had passed on with the crowd, laughing and gay. knowing nothing but their own happiness.
 You little imp!" cried Madame Blan- chard, jerking Lisa by the shoulder. "Why didn't you run along beside them and pluck at the lady's skirt? You lazy, worthless thing!"
 The next and the next nights were the same. As soon as 1t was dark out went Madame Blanchard and her poor, suffer- ing little slave-chlld to beg. During the days stbe old woman lay about her room eating, drinking and sleeping, while Lisa did what work there was to do. Once the old woman had called Lisa to her knees and in a threatening voice had warned her to keep secrecy. If l find that you have breathed single word to anyone of how we live or where we go in the evenings I'll beat you till you drop helpless in your tracks and shut you in the cellar with the rats for company. Do you mindi
 And so poor little Lisa had been afraid to say word of her most unhappy life to Pearl or Pearls ind-hearted parents, who sometimes invited Lisa in to have bit of tea with them- when old Madame Blanchard was away for an hour or so.
 One evening old Madame Blanchard was III, aud as it was raining she decided to send Lisa out to beg alone, cautioning her to be careful in selecting her prey. Choose only them as is dressed well and seems happy she said. Now go, and beg till you've got dollar. Don't you dare to come home with less. The more you get the better you will sleep tonight and eat tomorrow. Do you mind!
 Lisa went to the corner where she usually stood, for nearby was dark and deep doorway, where old Madame Blanchard could secrete herself as Lisa begged. As the rain was coming down steadily and Lisa was thlnly clad. with only an old cape about her head and shoulders, she shiyered with the cold and dampness. Few people except the poor laborlng class were on the street to- night and vainly did Lisa extend her trembling hand for aims. few took pity on the woe-begone little creature and now and then penny was dropped Into her outstretched palm. But when great clock near the c-rner struck nine, Lisa, cold and exhausted. counted her money and found she had just 10 cents. Ninety cents to get yet! Lisa shudderod, for she knew 1t would be impossible to beg that much on night like this. Indeed, 1t was very seldom that she got more than 50 cents of an evening. and rarely so much as a dollar. What should she do? She was cold. hungry and sick. The peo- pie on the street were getting fewer and fewer. all going 10 their homes as fast as they could. Pretty soon she would be alone except for the big policeman whom she was taught to hide from by running round the corner-aDd an occasional pc dastrisn. If she went home without the