The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-05-03
LITTLE BROWN BIRD
Copyright, 1911. by Associated Lit
erary Press)
BY PHILIP KEAN.

| Copyright, 1911. by Associated Lat
erary Press.)
Across the hall of the shabby
apartm vt house John Carson heard
! the Little Brown Bird singing. IT
was not n glorious song like that of
| the nightingale, It was Just pleas
ant uwitter. bringing something OF
! cheer into the gray gloom OF the No
vernber day. ---A-
II anybody needed cheer Il was
/ John Carson. Out OF work. out Of
money---he was faced not only hv
/ poverty, but by something worse than
! poverty-dishonor.
Hidden away in the top drawer OF
John Carsons old desk was a teweied
/ bag. And he knew the owner. He
/ had followed her after he had picked
up the bag that she had dropped. But
i he had not returned it--not yet. He
had many things to think OF first.
He had never been dishonest He
/ had faced the world proudly-glad OF
/ his good name--of his spotless rec
ord But Of late. things had gone
/ against him. 1t had been a mistake
J TO leave the farm. where he had had
regular work and good wages But
he had been tempted by the glitter
! of city life. and had taken position
!
! lose It when he had spent his last
penny.
He had been hungry that morning
when the little lady had dropped her
bag. and he had snatched It up. hal
! thrust It into his pocket and had
watched her 70 mp the steps Of an
imposing apartment house and dis
/ appear
When he reached home he opened
hp h- Tn ~
; -A4ilE--s fortune 80 ;F9rrrT Carson
He wondered If II would he steal
ing to borrow the money. and pay II
hack when he was on his feet again.
IIe-aetalA e H. La 4 s.-+e
what would he the harm3
The Little Brown Rird ceased her
singing. The house seemed very
the wind howled.
John Carson rose ard went % his
desk he opened the drawer stealth
lily, then shat II quickly as tap came
on hts door
lie crossed the room turned the
knob. and was faced by the Little
Brown Bird---for the brown bird Was
not feathered sonwster. bat little
slim hazel-eved -eamstress who rad
often spoken TO John az he passed
her open door. or nodded 10 him -
they met IN the hallway
An aged aunt l'Yed with her ard
they were very poor John knew
that the Brown Bird sewed from
early morning until late at night. and
even the old aunt pulled out hastings
and did hits Of fine embroidery,
The Brown Bird flushed little
as she issued an invitation "Mv
aunt she stammered. my aunt
would he glad n you would come
over and have a emp ~ tea with US
It isssuch n dreary night
Johns pride famed Did they
think he would take charity. from
thenl--two women
oh" he could almost see her heart
flutter In her throat. please cont
saw no We have few friends--we
ape much alone--we want YOU"
He stopped her with gesture
why are you asking me-" he said.
! blunty. TT in not on your own ac-
( count Do YOU think that I need
! food ?
Her cheeks blazed. "Oh. no." she
protested. but YOU needfrieuds.
He stared at her How did you
know"
II saw you when you passed our
room when you came In tonight
and your face--oh. there's something
the matter--isnt there"
For a moment he stood looking
down at her Yes" he said. Mt last,
there Is something dreadfuliy the
matter. AndI shall he glad TO
come over and have tea with YOU"
He followed her out into the hall
shutting the door behind him and
/ locking It, shutting in the horror in
/ the desk drawer that had tempted
him
The poor little room opposite was
| made cozy by the glow of a few Goals
in the crate. There was big plate
of toast, and round brown pot of
/ tea. a sleek kitten purred on the
( hearth. John Carson looked around
/ him as one who wakes from a dread
full dream. "Gour room is home"
I he said, mine is a tent for the
4 night"
The aunt poured tea. while the
Little Brown Bird in a low rocking
chair talked IN her CHEEKY voice.
/ The hot tea and the good toast
/ brought life to John Carson's dead
1 ened frame. He grew alert. interest
| ed, and found himself presently talk
/ ing of his life on the farm to the
I little girl In the low chair. while the
old aunt nodded over her knitting
| You should go back" she said as
/ he spoke of the green hills and pleas
/ ant valleys. You are not made for
the life here"
/ Are you made for 1t 2" he asked
II have never known any other"
| she said, sadly. II was born In tho
city, have lived here all my life."
/ Suddenly mad impulse seized
John Carson. would you like to
live in. the country with me?" he
asked.
She drew back. II don't under
| stand"
Look here" he said ''T want 70
be a man again. If could have the
| thought of you before me. ia save
every penny | made--and I'd try to
make you happy"
Her hands were over her heart
II couldn't" she whispered Ill
| should be afraid
"Of what?' he demanded THAT 1