The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1868-01-03
Collecting a Bad Debt.

NOktOStknS q Ddu DtUts
1t was dingy, ill-ventillated little
cell in the topmost stratum of one of
those immense human bee-hives that
people call tenement houses "a
room where washtubs and children,
kettles and kittens, potato-parinss
and clothes pins xere scattered about
in reckless disregard ofthe divine prin-
ciples of order Dr. Maynard stood
still in the midst of the chaos, afraid
to move lest he should step in the
starch bow, or on one OF the children
who swarmed about the floor.
Dr. Maynard had recently come in
to possession Of this property by the
death of a relative, nor was he partic-
ularly pleased with his new acquisi-
ton The few weekly visits he had
made We're not accompanied by any
particularly agreeable "reminiscences;
in fact he dreaded them, as a civilized
colonist might dread an Eruption into
the savage jungles of an American
wilderness. DR.. Maynard had always
made human nature a study; but this
seemed scarcely human in its odd,
Celtic Developments
OF all people | ever stumbled
across, said DR.. Maynard, the Irish
are the most improvident, What is
the reason / can never get my rent on
this floor? The German people down
stairs are always ready, and my Amer
lean tenants are model of punctuali-
ty. Il is really very unaccountable
thing to me
Sure, sir 'tisnt my fault" said
Mrs Tooley, lifting the corner of her
coarse checked apron to her eyes, part
" TO check the tears that always rose
readily to her muddy blue eyes, and
partly to hide the flush Of mortiica-
ton that snffused her freckled cheek !;
while Terry aud Mike, and little No
rah, clung 10 their mothers volumin-
Gus skirt, IN a sort OF vague aDprehen-
sion that something was wrong, al
though their tiny minds conld hardly
take in the fall meaning of III catas-
trophe that was disturbing their do
mest:c peace.
Not your fault, Mrs. Tooley p re-
peated Dr. MAYNARD, III sharp accents.
=" But it never IS your fault, according
to your own story.
Ny man is sick, sir, wild the rheu-
matiz in his ee-joint," apologized
the Irish woman, land its hard work
we have TO gel along, and provide the
bit and sup for the GROWN childer;
meself knows the rint ought to be
paid, and il you'll have little patience,
sir"
Patience. patience, patience e
jaculated the doctor, each word utter
ca in a key somewhat higher than the
last. "One ought to have the pa
tience of Job to get along with such a
pack Of tenants as have. Why don t
you work "
Ms. Tooley glanced little re-
proachfully at the wash tub in the
corner "A sort Of altar enshriIed in
the incense of steaming soapsuds.
Indade, sir, / try my best; and l
had hoped to have the money ready
for you to day; but Mrs. Napir put
me off as she had done many a time,
bad luck to her It's the girls new
dresses cost so much, says she; and
me staryin' for the money that's me
own, and not hers. at all. at all ="
"Do you mean Mrs. John Napire q
asked Dr. MAYNARD.
"Sure, 1 do, sir, and it's nine dol
lars and sixty cents she's OWN me for
the sweat of my brow and the wear
and tear of nay hard working hands, "
said Bridget Tooley, looking down at
the red and parboiled members afqre-
said.
And won't she pay you 2
Niver red clint, sir, though | told
her how Patrick had the rheumatism,
and the children hadn't bread md
salt to be comfortable. She's niver
paid me since I began to wash for
her, five weeks ago the very last Tues
day that ever was p
"It's shame, said Dr. Maynard,
laconically. ID
OuI6 anu IL 10, oil, dootHbtu DIluS
eft. meekly; but what can a poor body
do"
DIR. Ma ynard murmured something
under his breath. Mrs. Tooley could
lust catch here AID there a dislointed
word of the old Bible sentence having
regard to grinding the faces OF the
poor. - - !,
"Well Bridget, you are not SO much
to blame as / thought you were, salc
be In milder tone, as he turned Alb
ruptly on his heel IN call again
next week; it's more than likely you'll
have the money by that time.
1.-The blessin' of all the saints be
about yer and over yer" whined the
relieved Bridget.
= But the unceremonious closing OF
the door cut short Mrs. lTooly's show
Of of blessings and unnecess acy de-
tails. DIR. Maynard went slowly down
the echoing uncarpeted stairs, with