The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1913-01-30
THE DAUGHTER WORTH HAVING

THE DAUGHTER WORTH HAVING.
Two gentlemen friends, who had
been parted for years, met in a.
crowded city street. The one who
lived in the city was on his way to
meet a pressing business engagement.
After a few expressions of delight,
he said:
"Well, I'm off; I'm sorry, but 1t
can't be helped. | will look for you
tomorrow at dinner. Remember, 2
o'clock sharp. | want you to see my
wife and child"
"Only one child?" asked the other.
"Only one" came the answer, ten
derby; "a daughter. But she is a
darling"
And then they parted, the strang-
er getting into a street-car for the
park. After a block or two group
of five girls entered the car. They all
evidently belonged to families of
wealth. They conversed well. Each
carried a very deliberately decorated
lunch basket. Each was we'll dress
ed. They, too, were going to the
park for picnic. They seemed, hap
ply and amiable until the car stopped,
this time letting in pale-faced girl
of about eleven, and a sick boy Of
four. These children were shabbily
dressed, and on their faces were
locks of distress. They, too, were on
their way to the park. The gentle
man thought SO; SO did the group of
girls, for he had heard one of them
say, with a look of disdain:
81 suppose those ragamuffins are
on an excursion, too"
81 shouldn't want to leave home if
had to look like that, would your"
This to another girl.
mo, indeed; bat there is no &C
counting for taste. l think there
ought to be a special line of cars for
the lower classes"
All this was spoken in low tone,
but the gentleman heard it. Had the
child, too? He glanced at the pale
face and saw tears. He was angry.
Just then the exclamation: "Why,
there is Nettie! wonder where she is
gOing?" caused him to look out upon
the corner, where a sweet-faced
young girl stood, reckoning to the
car-driver. When she entered the car
she was warmly greeted by the five,
and they made room for her beside
them. They were profuse in exclama-
tions and questions.
Where are you going?' asked one.
ooh, what lovely flowers! Whom
are they for?" asked another.
I'm on my way to Belle Clarke's.
ers are for her."
She answered both questions at
once and then glancing toward the
door of the car, she saw the pale girl
looking wistfully at her. She smiled
at the child, tender look beaming
from her beautiful eyes, and then,
forgetting she wore a handsome vel
vet skirt and costly jacket, and that
her shapely hands were covered with
well-fitted gloves, she left her seat
and crossed over to the little one. She
laid her hand on the boys thin
cheeks as she asked his sister:
"This little boy is sick, is he not?
He is your brother, I am sure"
It seemed hard for the little girl to
answer. but finally she said:
Eyes, miss, he is sick. Freddie
never has been well. Yes, miss, he is
my brother. We're going to the park
to see if it won't make Freddie bet
ter"
81 am glad you are going the
young girl replied, in low voice,
meant for no ones ears except those
of the child. 81 think it will do him
good; it's lovely there, with the flow
ers all in bloom. But where is your
lunch? You ought to have lunch
after so long ride"
Over the little girls face came
flush.
eyes, miss, we ought to, for Fred
dies sake; but, you see, we didn't
have any lunch to bring. Tim-he's
our brother-he saved these pennies
so as Freddie could ride to the park
and back. 1 guess mebbe Freddie
I'll forget about being hungry when
he gets to the park"
There were tears in the lovely girls
eyes as she listened, and very soon
she asked the girl where she lived,
and wrote the address in a tablet
which she took from bag on her
arm.
After riding few blocks she left
the car, but she had not left the little
one comfortless. Half the bouquet OF
violets and hyacinths were clasped In
the sisters hands, while the sick boy,
with a radiant face, held in his hand