The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-12-19

said about lights. l soon found that mis- appe-
lite was really ferooious, and that he ate more
at one breakfast than did at six. 1t did not
matter the nature Of the provisions, he had no
fanoies, and do believe he could have eaten
teppenny nails, like the pelican Of the wilder
ness saw in Wombwell's menagerie. So
told him couldn't do it at the money, asd
after deal of hsggling got him to fifteen
and six; and at that price he's been stationary
here six years." Mrs. Drury always spoke OF
this gentleman as "my parlors, " but his name
was Mr.. David Thomas.
On the evening when the Rsmsays were in
their great perpexity MIR. Thomas had re-
turned home to his tea, which, not being IN
the contract with Mrs. Drury, was usually
weak-in fact watery. He had just settled
down to reading the newspaper borrowed
from the neighboriBg public-house, when he
was startled by hearing the voices OF women
10 mingled tones OF supplioation and anger.
ue rose and opened the door.
"FOr mercy sake, forgive me Do not ex-
pose me Do not ruin mel 1t was Martha
Ramsay who was speaking.
"YOu ungrateful, you deceitful thing !"
and in louder voice, "You, ma'am, to
whom have done no end Of kindHess without
charging you penny, to be robbed in this
way III send for the police ~
ooh, pray do not We are starving Do
not ruin US |" cried the Ramsays, speaking
together.
whats the matter ?" asked Mr. Thomas.
"What's the matter, sir 7" replied Mrs.
Drury, descending the stairs, and carrying
bundle. ga pair of sheets and don't know
what besides. shall find the room stripped,
dare say, when have spirit to examine it,"
''NO, no, ma'am, nothing else, on my word
Of honor ~ said Martha, convulsed with grief.
"Your word of honor !" replied Mrs. Drury;
and then turning to Mr.. Thomas she added,
Sir, we are all disgraced by those two women
up stairs. For this fortnight past we have
noticed that this young deoeitful hussey left
the house at dusk-a thing she never did be-
fore-always oontriving to avoid me, until at
last l made up my mind to watch her. Two
evenings ago l saw her 60 into the pawn
brokers' in the next street. Ohio, my lady |
thought, that's your game, is it 7 And SO l
resolved to keep my eye on her; and tonight,
as she was sneaking down stairs, popped
upon her, and found to my horror-though
half suspected it-she was walking of with
my property. There it is, Mr.. Parlors-I
mean Mr.. Thomas-aud now I'm OFF for the
police"
Martha uttered faint shrek, and fell,
rather than sought seat, upon the stairs.
Her mother stood on the stair above her.
'Mrs. Drury, mind am the guilty person,
not Martha, said Mrs. Ramsay; 'it was l who
commanded her to take your property"
'No, no ~ cried Martha; ''my mother is not
no, was the thief, as you saw, Mrs. Drury
II own it-No, not my mother |"
"Well, that's for the police to find out"
said Mrs. Drury; ''that's their business"
"Stop q moment, my dear madam" said
Mr.. Thomas. ga police case is a troublesome
affair, and ruinous to one party. Perhaps
things are not so bad as you fear. My poor
GIRL" continued Mr.. Thomas, 'tell me the
truth. Is this indeed your first ofensel''
''Indeed, yes. We have had no food for
two days but bread-a little bread" an
swered Mrs. Ramsay.
'Nothing more, murmured Martha, ''noth-
ing more"
''But that's no reason why my sheets"
"Hush, please, 'Interposed Mr.. Thomas.
"My dear Mrs. Drury, had you not better
satisfy youself that you have not been injured
further than We seer Had you not bstter ex-
anime their rooms 9''
"Well, yes, perhaps had, answered Mrs.
Drury, sharply; ''it those creatures will come
of my stairs and let me go up'
"COme into my rOom," said Mr.. Thomas,
raising up Martha and the weeping women
Obeyed.
Whilst Mrs. Drury was making her search,
having to her annoyance had to come down
for candle, as there was none burning in the
Ramsays' room, MIR. Thomas heard from the
mother the extremity at which they had ar
rived, aud that, stimulated by the CLEAN Of
hope contained in the letter they had received
that sucCor was at hand, she had foOlishly,
wiokedly urged her daughter to the commits
sion of an act which she had succeeded in
persuading herself was venial under the cir
Cumstances.
Mrs. Drury reported that she "missed
nothing-that is, nothing at present" hardly
liking to acknowledge that she had not been
robbed.
''Then let me intercede for these poor
women," said Mr.. Thomas. 81 will be re-
spODsible for their rent-say for a-a-fort-
night-Or-or-three weeks, and we will see
what else can be done for them. Yes, until
your sister Charlotte can be found. Yes,
and perhaps Mrs. Drury, a mutton chop
well, say two mutton chOps-cooked in your
best manner, Mrs Drury, eh might not be
aDiss; and little beer, say pint; and, as |
said, I'll be- their banker in a small way-a
very small way, beginning with-with two
shillpgs. You will not refuse your old
ledger, [ know, Mrs. Druryr
And Mrs. Drury, after wagging her head,
and smoothing down her black silk apron,
said
"WelI, she didn't want to hurt nobody
especially the Ramsays; but it wasn't in
human nature to see your sheets dragged from
under you, and-why didn't the foolish
women tell her how badly they was off, ct
Ceterd, et Ceterd.
the responsibilities he had so kindly taken
upon himself, as Sister Charlotte proved no
exception TO lOpg-lOst relatives Cat least in
Christmas stOries), and had brought home II
not great fortune, modest independence for
person in her position OF life.
Had Aunt Grace ever heard this episode in
the life OF her old admirer, she might have
well, thought better Of him than fancy she