Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-08

was called. She came tripping in in re-
sponse a bright faced girl OF eleven. with
sparkling brown eyes and waving curis'
pered the good wife. BE still" admon-
ished the less demonstrative husband.
DO not choose before choosing time"
Now, my pretty maid" began the voice
from the well why do you 70, w wish n. to to
change your abode? speak up ana make
your object plain"
Il live with an aunt" replied the little
girl. land she obliges me to assist with
the household work. I wish to run away
from her and to find pome with people
who will allow me to play all day and
will give me toys and fine clothes l hate
to work, but 1 love good time. And l
wish to be my own Mistress
Does your aunt beat your? asked the
voice. Then added quickly: do not dare
to tell me falsehood, Tor snali KNOW 1t
the moment 1t is uttered.
mo she never mistreats me. but do
not like to work." reiterated the girl. II
love to be idle all day; and I don't like
poor people,
"But suppose these people to whom you
wish to go are also poor?" asked the
"Then 1 shouldn't consider going to
Them" declared the little miss.
y
Then the voice excused her and called
the same as the first girls, and she was
soon excused. And then was called five
and two Of them disposed to tell false
hoods. They were in turn excused, and
as they went off down the hillside the
good woman and man sighed, fearing
they would not find two good. unselfish
little girls to fill their lonely hearts. only
two others to come" whispered the wife,
I'm getting discouraged"
To their surprise, the other two were
called together. They proved to be twins
and were named Lalla and Pearl. AS they
approached the wishing we'll both sighed
and seemed unhappy.
from the well.
1--WE are SO unhappy because we must
leave the home where we now reside"
spoke one of them. 1.-THE dear old couple
who have given us a home are obliged to
60, to the poorhOuse and have told US we
must go elsewhere. Well willingly work
for the good man and woman who desire
daughters if they will in turn give shelter
and food to the dear old Teople who
have been as kind to us as their means
would allow. They took us at our moth
er's death and gave us as good as they
themselves had.
Did you work for them?" asked the
voice.
"Oh, willingly; we worked ell that they
would allow us; and were we older and
stronger we'd go out to service. But We
are too young for that yet. But If the
good folk who want daughters will only
allow to give half our food to the dear
old man and woman who have been so
good to us and whom We love so devoted
Iy. and allow us to sleep in the outshed
and give our bed to these dear old Ones
we shall be most glad to go to them. But,
on the other hand, If we are forbidden
to have these dear old friends and can
not assist them in their distress. we'll
we'll go to the poorhouse with them and
comfort them as best we can in their un-
happy lot" .
Let us make our choice!' cried the good
wife, springing from her hiding place.
1--WE want these two dear little girls who
have hearts of gold in their breasts. and
their old friends shall not go to the poor
house. either"
And so it happened that Lalla and Pearl
were chosen.