Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-07-25
THE EVENING STORY.
Sprmgtinne.
Copyright. 1918, By ". Werner,

Il was the first warm day. The pave
ment felt hot beneath the worn soles Of
Juliet's shabby shoes as she stood be-
side the huckster's wagon contemplating
its freight Of wilted vegetables. These
things reminded Juliet that II was spring
and that she was too poor to buy.
The other women OF the tenement
bought and wrangied over the price.
Their voices were shrill. producing
raucous discords. In all the hard years
Of her city experience Juliet had never
learned to beat down even q street
hue. ster she drew oack diffidently into
the shadow OF the gaunt building where
In she found shelter. A woman passed
carrying q bunch Of onions under her
q big. red-faced Irish woman who had a
denly she turned and came back holding
out some lettuce.
Take it." she said. ''rn never miss It"
The color sprang to Juliet's white face.
MOP she said. proudly. Then she
thought Of Jacob and she reached for
the gift though she knew 1t to be made
in charity. 'Inank you." she murmured,
meekly.
She ran up the three flights. of dirty
for her all she loved and possessed in
the world. 1t held q tiny stove, bed,
two chairs. a table, and a cupboard. At
the one window stood man with his
hands in his pockets. He turned almost
and waved the lettuce.
You bought itT'
why not? We're not SO poor. hope.
that we can't afford bit Of lettuce on
our first spring day Jq,es shs cheerful sasd
your not mind cold lunch today,
dear7"
Mind? Well. hardly. In fact. don't
need any lunch, Juliet. or deserve 1t.
v ork u you want to eat: don't work.
Wherefore should I eat?"
juliet laughed gayly. "Oh, my dear.
You'd work If there was anything for
you to do" she said. "You always have
worked. There'H be an opening present
ly. In .Ae meantime, We aren't going to
starve."
For six weeks Jacob had been out OF
work. 1t had begun by his falling Ill.
When he went back Ills place was filled.
He had tried everything after that, and
It was even more difficult fer the woman
than for the man to get work. she found
At one or two places where work was
offered her a. something more than a
| starvation wage she hau shrunk from &C.
cepting 1t.
Thank heaven, it was spring at last
and they could save the expense of q
fire. But later they must have ice. And
all the time the rent would be going on
How much longer they would be able
to pay for even this Juliet could not tell
Still she sang as she prepared the humble
| meal. And then before she went to her
place at the table she kissed her Jacob
Dear mel" she exclaimed. 1.-The but
ter's OUT
1--WE don't need butter with this let
| tuce," Jacob said. How good it is! 1,
carries me back to my country days
He was silent a moment. do you know,
country lately? It's on account of the
spring weather. ! guess. I banker after
green grass and dandelion blossoms.
| was q man when I came to the city.
| brought a good deal to the city-youtf
and hope and a determination to wir
| out. l didn't know what had to crap.
pie with know now. And it sort OF
| disheartens me-
II was a child when I came.' juliet
recalled. sadly. MY parents brought me
| The city worsted them. I took up the
| fight. Then found you," Her face turn
| ed radiant; her eyes sought and held his
| Across the bare little table their hands
clasped strong. You remember. dear
| cotton and I sold it to you. You conf1de6
| to me that you wanted 1t to darn your
| own socks with. And ] thought that
shouldn't mind darning them for you u
you were to ask me some time"
They laughed together softly over the
| tender remembrance.
| 81 was drawing SIS per them" Jacot
| went on. 1T seemed enough to keep 9
wife. And 1t was the way you managed