The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, April 2, 1899, Page 31

THE SAN FRANCISCO CALL, SUNDAY, APRIL 2, 1899, 31 CECECR 4l =i le]. fud A Y B =1 ful fi ol _t RO ReReReNeNEN e R e R o8 s AR up the side of a Berkeley hill dwell girls named Alice Davers—little twin vears old, who love each other I think they must have been n on Wednesday, for they were al- ways “merry and (RA But three days before Baster Monday they had a very sad experience, and I shall have to take 3 back to the beginning of Lent to ke you under- stand how it all happened, and also tell you a little bit about their home life. They lived completely beautiful two _little and Helen sisters, 8 dearly. bo: in such & pretty home, vered with roses, but they poor; so poor that the father W hard to keep the omfortable and happy. nothing of the pleasures v girls enjoy, but how girls feel poor who ery day and gather all s they wanted? such a nice, gentle cow, and such a funny little but not least, the little did such wonderful and mot who this beautiful world of ours the is sad but true that no matter how r blessings, there is always re to be desired, and so it our little heroines. They selves very happy little i until one day, eginning of Lent, of ice cream ything dear to the heart hey only might go to a day, how nice it would be, that afternoon the little talked the matter over. an't g0 to a party d Helen, “‘but if w she might let us give d Alice, "do € E you could have ice cream and know,” answered Helen, but after a minute’s medi- E continued: “I have noti , that when we want things v | s finds a way, so I thin k to her about t this very night.” when the dishes were put away the her had settled herself for t so much needed, the little de their request. eed, to refuse ‘those . how could she when the s of life hard to obtain? she told zirls they must wait for hap- and ‘they went to bed bit- tle B it terly disappointed. It happened the next day that Mrs. Davers had to go to San Francisco to do some shopping. Many times during the day she was haunted by the sad faces of her little daughters; and she did wish with all her loving heart she might give them what they desired. She made all her small purchases and toward the close of the afternoon stood near the Lotta Fountain waiting for the car to take her to the ferry. The air was sweet with the fragrance of wild flowers; poor, half-starved look- ing men and boys with well-filled bas- kets offered their nosegays to the pass- ing crowd. She noted with surprise how rapidly the wild flowers sold and what good prices they brought, A small, ragged little boy, noticing her interest, stepped quickly to her side with a large bunch of poppies, and, offering it, sald: “Only two bits, lady.” She smilingly shook her head—thinking of the many growing on her own hill- side. Just then her car came in sight; at the same moment a most wonderful plan popped into her head. The “plan” was so absorbing she’al- most forgot to leave the car on reach- ing the ferry. The “plan” traveled with her on the boat and in the train, and when her station was reached every- lhi] g was settled to the smallest de- tail. Briskly she climbed the hill to her little home. As she came in sight the children ran to meet her, with Spot run- ning at their heels. “Why, mother, how happy you look!” cried little Helen, as she gave her a kis: Mother smiled and patted the lit- tle g cheek. “Mother is very tired,” she said, “and my little girls must be very helpful to-night, and after dinner is 1 have something very nice to tell you.” Oh! how excited they were, and how they did wish they might do without dinner just for that one night. But they bravely did their best and were really very helpful. After the dinner was eaten and the work all finished for the night Mrs. Davers called the children to her. She told them of her trip to town that day, and how, when standing near the Lotta Fountain watching the sale of the wild flowers, it had occurred to her all in a minute that her own little daughters might turn their pleasure into profit. If they would gather fresh flowers each day, arrange them prettily in a basket and always have them ready AH! yo' young niggahs! Watcher doin’ yo' doan go "lorig 'n fotch in them aigs? 1 done tole yer I'se gotter set this heah inkerbatter ternight. G'long, 1 say,” and old Aunt Chloe stamped foot at the vo young darkies n the direction i n house. Aunt Chloe re-entered the d busied herself getting y, but her thoughts were ng the possibl ivantage of tting two hundred at a time nd how much profit would be derived 2w method. * gaid Aunt Chloe, as they ‘them of kitchen busy 1l hatch three weeks blest ef 'taint th’ day consulting Hostetter’s “Huh! yo-uns 'l git mighty igs this Yeaster, fer I'se goin’ ter ¢ aig them thare hens is goin’ :r iay. So yer must make right now ter do with jest riece fer yer bre'kfas’, hard biled an’ colored with onyun s s fer yer ter .tek ter Sun- _school D'vuh he-ah, yo-uns? I'se done an yer doan .r be ’spe an’ one i da , 2n’ hév two hun'erd ready every e weeks fer t' set in thet inker- ter Yo' unnestan’, yo-uns?” and Dewey Brown and Richmond Hobson Brown: turned - the f their eyes toward each other in a half-frightened way to nd faintly answered: gs! 1 and uninteresting e no eggs! might catch the cough, smallpox, £0 they would have to ster day! No Easter €gg 1d they d been bragging about how m s they were going to have to tak in the woods by going to over a fire v had made of rocks for that special purpose. And hadn’t they asked every little colored boy and girl they knew and sent word 0 lots they didn’t kno be on hand the old gum tree & lock Easter afternoon wher: feast of egg r dreamed Of course every one that could bring eggs were to do so, but all were to share alike whether they could bring an egg or not. They had planned it all and now the arrival of that wonderful hen that could take care of two hun- dred eggs at a time had knocked the foundation from under their fondly cherished plans. Naturally they would feel somewhat crushed, just at first, for as none of them had €ev ? “HOW THE BOYS GOT THEM EASTER AIGS.” was not their reputation at stake. Possibly had she known of their plans and how the fulfilling of that mandate would reflect discredit on the two small personages before her she would have hesitated ere deciding entirely against th And the boys had no thought of accomplishing what they had under- taken, namely, to contribute largely toward an Easter feast, by taking her into their confidence. But they had something to do and they would do it. They had given their word and they must not break it, but how were they to keep it? . The two woolly black heads were very close together while “chores” were be- ing done that evening, and there was much talk, while furtive glances were thrown toward the house lest they be surprised and all be lost. “If mammy cotch us, an’ fin's out we'ns gwine ter fine a way ter make ‘er compermize on thet aig kesthun, I ges 't 'ud end in us’'ns gittin’ narry a alg, but .instid 't" ud be th’ hickry,” said Richmond Pearson Hobson, rolling his eyes up to his brother’'s face. “But we haint gwine ter. git th’ hickry this time, an’ we'se gwin ter hev more’'n two &igs a-piece a Yeaster, an’ mammy'll gin ‘em to us'ns, too!" replied George Dewey, with all the as- surance of one whose word was law. Then there was more rolling of eyes, shaking of heads and hushed laughter while thelr allotted work dragged slow- ly dlong. “He-ah! yo-uns! {s yer gwine ter be all night gittin in the wood an’ kinlins? Watcher doin’ anyway?” and as Aunt Chloe came slowly down the path the two boys gathered up an armful of wood and hurried to the house. Nearly two weeks had passed since the arrival of the incubator and every- NYNR e for father’s early train she knew Mr. Davers could dispose of them at some of the flower stands in the city and they might earn quite a little. money. “But what are we to do with the money, mother?” asked Alice. “Why, my dear little girl, you are to give a party with it. If you are faith- ful to the plan during the forty days of Lent by Easter Monday you will cer- tainly have enough to give the party.” Oh! how they did caper and jump about. They kissed their mother and each other a dozen times, for they were too happy for words. Then they ran out to find their father, to see if he really would help them. He promised very readily, on the condition that they must never keep him waiting for even one minute. The very next morning they were up bright and early and the basket was well filled when Mr. Davers started for town. The plan worked beautifully. How proud they felt each night as their father handed them the money—not a very large SO O GO & POV SV HEN my work Is ended At the clese of day, And life's care and sorrow Seemeth far away— Comes a little falry In a robe of white, Climbing on my ready knes To kiss and say good-night. SOOI OTISL TS O SLOLIOLHE CEOOD Oh, the arms so tender That my neck entwine Thrill my very being As a touch divine! And the love which speaketh In those hazel eyes Verily is echoed From celestlal skies. SOV DOLISTOH & FOQ & \‘\eu\m\\mv “ sum, but the little hoard steadily grew. A 'week before Easter they counted their savings 'and found they had four dollars and twenty cents. Success was certain and they could wait no longer to deliver the invitations. « So with mother’s permission they in- vited all their little friends.to come on Easter Monday, not forgetting to tell each child there was to be plenty of ice cream and candy. The week passed all too slowly. Thursday morning the little girls sat on the doorstep, telling Spot of the party and the glories to come. ‘“He has never seen our money,” sald Helen. “We will show it to him.” * Quickly they ran for the little red purse and disclosed to him all its wealth; then closing it with a snap, Helen tossed it into the air for Spot to catch. Spot caught it, and holding it in his teeth instantly turned and ran off with it over the hill. The little girls gave instant chase, never dreaming of Pauses now my darling, Loth to say the word— Would that earthly partings Ever were deferred | Then, with soulful yearning In her orbs so bright, Puts her little lips to mine, Murmuring low, ‘“‘Dood-night!"’ the trouble in store for them. They ran till their little legs gave out and then sat down and called him. At last he came, barking and running toward them, but the little red purse was gone. Up they jumped and searched the hillside over, piteously calling on Spot to help them out of their trouble, but all of no avail Crying all the way, they ran home to tell mother. She tried to comfort them, saying father should go next morning early and make a thorough search, and he would be sure to find it, but they could not be comforted. Next morning as soon as it was light found them all out on the hillside, eagerly searching every inch of the ground. It was a long and weary search, but it met with no success, and at last even Mr. Davers gave up and sald he was afraid it was gone forever more. “Oh, mother, what are we to do?"” cried the poor little sisters. “You will have to bear this sorrow patiently, my darlings, and perhaps, if you are very patient, the dear Savior, who loves little children, may reward you some other way.” “But we have asked all the children to come,” they sobbed. “The children shall all come, just the same,” said mother, “and we will give them a happy day. Only we cannot have ice cream and candy, but nice cake and lemonade.” It was a bitter disappointment to the poor little things, but they bravely did thelr best to be .cheerful and forget their trouble, and they even tried to forgive Spot, which was the hardest part of all. b3 fed ¥ b3 bod 3 ped TON. ¢ Dearest child! My angel In this world of strife! If my heart had not thee, Drear indeed were lifel Whether skies are balmy, Or with lightning rent, While thou are beside me I shall be content. & 0 SRROLAS S0 > LEOLK OO In life's dim hereafter, Lest her feet should turn Into ways of darkness She may not discern, Guard—0 Lord I—my darling. Keep her soul as white As the cherub at my knee, Murmuring low, “Dood-night!" oLk SLIOLX DL SWOLIS Y SRSUHFOL 6 TOTOUIT DY S0 00 P OUOUOTON 6 oD OO & GOROTO GO B OO OO DAL @ thing about Aunt Chloe’s place was working to her entire satisfaction, with one single exception—the hens had been growing more careless and indolent as the days passed. The incubator had evidently cast a bad spell over the hens, for the very next day only twenty-two A Chance for You to Learn the eggs were to be found, when there should have been twenty-eight; and now at the end of twelve days there was only six. Something must be done at once. ‘“‘He'uh, yo’, Rich! Yo'ns kin go ter th’ store 'n git sum uv that stuff ter make hens lay. 'N yo' hurry right straight back so’s ter feed 'em ter- night, 'n mayby they'll lay more aigs to-morry,” and Aunt Chloe went out to look at the thermometer and turn the eggs fn the incubator. “We'uns 'll hev all the aigs we want now, fer mammy's a gittin’ mighty anshus 'bout not havin’ any aigs saved up ter put in ther inkerbater soon's these'ns gits hatched,” said George Dewey on their way downtown. Names of Six California Trees. “Wonder ef she'll say suthin’ ter- morry?” and R. P. H. looked question- ingly at his brother. “Gee, if she knowed how many aigs we'ns ha’ got hid in th’ hay she’'d say suthin’ _ter-night,” ~ quietly replied George Dewey. “Bet ’twill be a long time 'fore she fines outen 'bout thet,” and the younger boy wriggled about in his clothes as though the hickory was then being ap- plied to his back. They returned “jest in time,” Aunt Chloe said, and after watching the hens devour a llberal quantity of the food, she remarked: “Gess thet'll fix 'em. We'ns 'll hev plenty uv aigs now,” and with a grunt of satisfaction she waddled off up to the house, .while the boys rolled their eyes knowingly at each other. ‘When the eggs were gathered the next day and there were only six to be found in the nests, Aunt Chloe held Gp her hands in despair. “I'se gwine ter look out in ther grass n brush ter-morry,” sald George Dewey, “fer it 'pears t' me um hens must a bin stealin’ uv ther nests out 80 um kin set on ther own aigs. Gess um hens is onter ther inkerbater,” and the namesake of the hero of Manila coolly contemplated his mammy’s face, + Friday and Saturday passed away. Easter ymorning the little girls waked up earl\v, Oh, what a beautiful day it was! They never meant to be unhappy any more. Quickly they dressed them- selves and ran out on the hillside to hunt for eggs, for the old brown hens had their nests all through the. tall green grass. It was great fun, and after they had hunted for half an hour their basket was nearly filled, and feeling tireq they sat down under a Sp! ding oak tree to rest a few min- utes before going home to breakfast. They had not sat there five minutes before Alice exclaimed, “Helen, do you hear that little peep-peep? I am sure there must be > little new baby chickens very n Up they jumped to search, and sure enough just a short distance from their resting place they found an old hen with eight cunning little yellow chick- ens. The old hen.did not like to be dis- turbed, but they pushed her off the nest to count the little chicks a second time. As they did so Helen spiled something small and red lying in the nest, With her little heart wildly beating she quickly picked*it up, and what do you think it was? THE LITTLE RED PURSE! Oh, what a happy moment for the little girls! Entirely forgetting the basket of eggs, down the hill they ran, so eager were they to impart the good news to father and mother. Mrs. Davers had just placed the breakfast on the table, feeling a little uneasy at the children’s long absence, when in they rushed, waving the little red purse in the air and shouting, “It is found, it is found; and we can hz‘ive ice cream and candy for the party!’ It took some time to get a clear and collected account of where and how it had been found. But great was the re- joicing and such a happy family sat down to eat their Easter breakfast. Spot was fed so bountifully that he re- fused to do any of his tricks until some hours later. At Sunday-school that morning two thankful little girls said their prayers very earnestly and joined.in the beau- tiful Easter carols with all their happy hearts. Easter Monday at last. Will they ever forget that happy day? The children all came early; not in the fine attire you little city girls wear when going to a party, but wearing bright little gingham frocks and sun- bonnets made to play in. And oh! the games they played out among the poppies and buttercups. that long, happy day! How hungry they were when called to the good supper spread under the big oak tree, and how they did eat. The ice cream was de- licious and there was pl enty of it, and each child had a cunning little basket of sugared Easter eggs to carry home. The day is drawing to its close. Down behind the Golden Gate the sun is sink- ing - ta rest, and weary, happy little children say good-night to Alice and Helen. The party is over, but in the hearts of those little children the mem- ory of that happy day will linger for many years. noting the effects of his words. “Jus’ bet vo' thet's what um hens am done bin doin’. Wy din yo' think o’ thet afore?” and R. P. H. looked up from his plate of beans in well-feigned surprise, and Aunt Chloe raised, her hands to her head and then brought them down on her knees, exclaiming: “De Lawd sakes, honey chillun; I jes wonder if um haint,” “Doan know wy um hens ‘'ud stop layin’ fer right 'way, soon’s yer git th* inkerbater. Gess ef yer doan git more nor six aigs *day we'uns ’ll not git any aig at all fer Yeaster; 'n all th’ chillun ‘roun’ ’bout heah’s goin’ ter go down ter th’ ole gum tree by th' creek; ’n um’s goin’ ter bil’ fire 'n bile um aigs; but gess we'ns kin have a lot uv fun 'nyhow.” Evidently George Dewey was in much sympathy with his mammy, and she looked at him approvingly. “So you'ns think um hens done been stealin’ um nestus out'n the brush ’n grass, does yah? Well, seé’'n’s you’ns wanter hev more'n one hard biled aig fer Yeaster I'll tell yer whatcher kin hev if yer hunt um nestus thet is hid. Ever’ time you'ns bring me one dozing aigs T'll put one on ’em in sep'rat’ jar fer you'ns. Whatcher says ter thet?” and ‘Aunt Chloe's face beamed with self- satisfaction at haying made such an excellent bargain. Saturday evening, Easter eve, the boys found they had a stock of thirty- nine eggs on hand. They chuckled in- wardly as they counted them, and when Aunt Chloe’s back was turned they hugged each other in congratula- tion at the success of their scheme. Aunt Chloe, however, was not so well satisfied, and was anxious to recover a portion of ‘the victor’s spolils, "“You’ns made de bargain, 'n now yo' doan wanter stan’ by’t. Reckon ef we'ns hadden worked mighty hard huntin’ nestus thet wus hid, you'ns ud had. berry few algs now,” and George Dewey assumed a grieved expression. “No, no, honey chile; you's ben mighty good a watchin’ dem sneakin relinquent hens an’ huntin’ um nestus, an’ you's done earned ever’ one of dem aigs, so you kin do jes’ whatcher likes with um,” and Aunt Chloe patted each kinky pate as she spoke. “'Pears ter me we'uns mitus well glve mammy fifteen o these aigs; thet'll leave us'ns one dozing apiece; 'n mammy kin hev dem fifteen ter cook ter-morry,” was a proposition from Richmond Pearson Hobson, and was assented to by the other, much to Aunt Chloe’s satisfaction. The next day, Easter, was bright and beautiful, and at 2 o'clock two small brown figures emerged from Aunt Chloe’s kitchen door bearing a pail be- tween them. Two rows of ivory showed in each chocolate-colored face and two pairs of black eyes glanced toward each other in a very funny manner. Finally one said: “Glad we'ns haint got ther measles nur nuthin’.” And the other replied: mammy didn’t cotch us.” \ NETTIE MacLACHLAN. “I'se glad DEAR she in her bed, an invalid. A of merry Bt WG gh gayly. Sometimes her tears fell, and true-hearted ““Florence.” little girl was taken sick, and for a long time She could not run about any more as other children do and the games childhood were not for her. imagine that Hope and Joy were not hers. in her bed she had the merriest companions, who made her es 'of her little companions than for her own Tears glistened in her eyes for poor little “Paul Dombey” But more often she was gay. To her “Ali Baba” and his fierce companions beings, who came upon the stage, bowed to her and then the deeds told of in the ““Arabian Nights.” ng. But do not As she lay but oftener for the were actual So pure spirit harvested the “peace that surpasseth understand- And now it was Easter Sunday eve. Sleep had fallen like a“soft mantle upon our young friend. She was smiling. No wonder, for she had a kindly vision. As truly she had a vision as these inspired ones to whose wondering.eyes a vista of Heaven nas been opened. Upon a mountain side a dear little girl like herself toiled painfully upward over jagged stones flowers that grew far above her. backward, many times the fell—but she never despaired. The flowers breathed out fragrance that still drew her on, to reach the lovaly Many times she slipped After a time she has sciled the steep peak and’the flowers asp them. But she pauses for, a wonderful landscape of the whole world—so much more beautiful than anything she has imagined—lakes, valleys and rugged mountains crowned with snow—that she stands still in rapture. the flowers for which she has toiled so hard there are no are hers—hers if she will 51 far and wide, is outsprea blossoms in her sight. She looks down and sees' far below o: people, old and young, who '~ plod along with glances downward, never seeing the flowers. Into her mind comes pity for them. One momecht of selfishness rules her. The But, excepting had been passed by unheeded. All the flowers but one she has tossed to the passers by. The travelers nod and smile happily. The one flower she has saved for herself is a mountain. pansy—the heartsease. A poor, bent old woman comes along the rugged road. She does not look upward to the cheery call. her eyes are sad and tear filled. Her face is set and Down goes the dear little girl with her one gift, places a friendly hand on the old her a weary crowd “Up there,” woman's shoulder and hands her shyly the heartsease. “Where did you get that, dearie?”” asks the old woman. answers the child, pointing up. so high—up toward heaven”—said the old woman - {uide) B 20450 RNIRIRNE RN NP RS RNIRININIRNIRNIRININE N+ R+ RN o 4252053080 5+ RNee 0. e 348308202308 23025020 RNeRNIRNERINI RSN+ R RNIRINIRIRNINIRERNINE RN+ R+ N+ RN 200230200 RPN ERNININI N RN+ RN+RINIRIRIRNIRRNIRIRE NN+ N «U repe ;nf:ll brtat?\lcssly. “Ah, thank you, dear, so kindly. I have long with “Jack the Giant Killer,” “The Old Man of the Sea,” Sinbad” and “Aladdin.” From the “Book of Books” her while upon their graceful forms and beautiful coloring her eyes feasted. The sun beat down pitilessly upon her head. From her hands the posies are thrown freely to all who, forgotten to look up. Forgotten—when all true heartsease B Her hands were torn by falling upon the sharp stones. lool’ g upward now, are surprised to see how much beauty comes from above.” DEHW. g G830t + R+ N RNt RN RNIRIR 4R e R+ R+ BRI RN NI R Re N+ R+ R+ B R A R R A 2] next minute she has picked the flowers and has called-aloa L. § ,