Evening star., 1926-12-26

down tn" StnNI. as KNOW IL
of little old friend
I used 10 see him trsi IN kenSinG
TON Gardens. where he came in thu
afternoons. accompa MED ny very
small Girl one would see them sileni
before q shrub or flower. or With thcit
heads inclined Ia heaven before 4
tree or leaning above water and the
ducks. or stretched on their stomaCh'
watching a beetle. or nn their hacks
watching the sky. often they Woulo
stand holding crumbs out to the BIRDS
who would perch about them.
They were admittedly a noticeable
Cnunle. The child. fair-haired. with
dark eyes and a pointed chin. wore
clothes that seemed somewhat haro
nut TO il. And if the two were not
standing still. she went along pultlnE
at his hand eager to set there. and
since he was a very little, hght o!o
man. he seemed always in advance of
his own feet. He was garbed. il re
member, in a baVerdy brown oVercoat
and broad brimmed hat. Indeed, ms
costume did not indicate amy great
nrosperitv But il was his face that
rivited attention. Thin, CherrN-fed
and wind-dried as old wood, ii had a
special sort of brightness, with lis
waves of Silvery hair. and blue eyes
which seemed to shine. Rather mad
used to think Standing by the rails
of an incloSure. with his withered il2S
pursed and his cheeks drawn, he would
emit the most enticing trillS and pap
ings. exactly initiating various birds.
One dav by the Serpentine / So "
him coming along alone. looking sad
but still with that queer brightness
about him. He sat down on my bench
and began talking TO himself in a sort
of whisper. / caught the words
Cod cannot he like us And for fear
that he might go on uttering such pre-
cious remarks that were obviously not
intended to be heard, / had either To
go away or else address him. So. on
an impulse, I said:
Why"
He turned without surprise.
1--WE lost my landladys little girl
he said. Dead. And only seven years
old
That little thing 1 used to watch
did you? Did you? I'm glad you
saw her"
''I used to see you looking at flowers,
and trees, and those ducks"
His face frightened wistfully.
Yes: she was great companion to
an old man like me. We were great
friends But | couldn't expect it.
Things don't last. do they?" | was
glad to notice that his voice was get
ting cheerful. When ] was in the or
chestra at the Harmony Theater it
never used to occur to me that some
day | shouldn't play their any more.
One felt like a bird. That's the beauty
of music, sir. You lose yourself: like
that blackbird there" He initiated
Ii II.
that could have sworn the bird start
ed
Birds and flowers. Wonderful
things; wonderful, Why. even a
buttercup-.'' He pointed at one of
those little golden flowers. Did YOU
ever see such marvellous thing?"
And he turned his face up at me. And
yet somebody told me once that they
don't agree with cows. Now can that
be? I'm not countryma an-though /
was born at Kingston
''The cows do we'll enough on them, -
] said. lin my part of the world. In
fact, the farmers say they like TO see
buttercups."
I'm glad to hear you say that. /
, was always sorry to think they dis
agreed"
When. got up To go. he rose. too.
II take it as very kind of you," he
said, Ito have spoken to me-
The pleasure was mine"
X x
NEXT time came across him
standing by the rails Of an in
closure. and in his arms an old and
really wretched-looking cat
Il don't like boys he said. without
preliminary of any sort. What do
you think they were doing TO this poor
old cat? Dragging it along by string
to drown it; see where it's cut into the
fur. I think boys despise the old and
weak. He held IL out to me- At the
ends of those little sticks of arms the
beast looked more dead than alive: |
had never seen more miserable crea
ture.
II think a cat. he said, lis one of
the most marvellous things in the
world. Such depth of life in it,
What are you going to do with it?''
Take 1t home; it looks TO me as if
II might die"
you don't think that might be more
merciful?"
''It depends: 1t depends. | shall see
/ fancy little kindness might do a
great deal for it. It's got plenty of
spirit. ] can see from its eyes"
May ] come along with you a bit?''
on. ne said; dellRhted.
We walked on side by side
You'll find this'll be quite a differ
ent cat tomorrow, he said. II shall
have to get in. though. without my
landiae:' seeing: a funny woman. !
have two or three strays already"
Can | help in any Way"
Thank you" he said. Il shall ring
the bell. and as she comes out below I
shall go in above. She'll think IT.
boys. They are like that
But doesn't she do your rooms or
anything"
A smile puckered his face. I've only
one; | do it myself. Oh. iid never do
to have her about, even if I could ar
ford 1t. But" he added. IF you're SO
kind as to come with me TO the door
you might engage her by skiing where
Mr.. Thompson lives. That's me. In
the musical world my name was Moro
nelli; not that ] have Italian blood in
me, of course"
And shall come up?"
"Honored; but / live very quietly.
We passed out of the gardens at
Lancaster Gate. where all the house
fronts seem so successful, and into a
little street that was extremely like a
erubby child trying to hide under its
mothers skirts. He took a newspa per
from his pocket and wrapped ii
around the cat.
She's q funny woman" he repeat
ed: Scotch descent. YOU know" Sud
denly he pulled an area bell and scut
tied up the steps.
When he had opened the door, how
ever, ] saw before him a short thin
woman dressed in black. with sha RI
face. Her voice sounded resolute.
What have you got there, Mr.
Thompson
'Newgpa per. Mrs. March"
oh. indeed. Now. you're not go
Eng to take that cat upstairs
The old fellows voice acquired q
shrill determine Stand aside
please. If you stop me I'll give you