Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1871-07-19
"INASMUCH," I"

''Why, bless me. Fanny. you are growing
more old maidish every day you live |
wonder what your next idiosyncrasy will
be !"
Il wonder what it can be, mamma p
And Miss Belle Lindsay laughingly looked
up from the low fauteuH Oh which she was
reclining, to take part in the arrangement
of her sister.
WAS ever mother so vexed as | am p
continued Mrs. Lindsay, frowring on the
subject of her dispIeasure, who was stand
ing meekly before her, with folded hands
and eyes sufused with tears Here you
are Fanny Lindsay, daughter of rich and
honorable house, running all around the city
among the lower classes, seeking out your
charitable objects, as you call them, which
objects are generally dirty old women, and
ragamufhn children, whom you bring here
regardless of our feeling as we'll as our re
speetabiity, expecting we shall feed and
clothe them There is not a tramp in Bos-
ton who does not come here at some time
or other to be fed and pampered. [ tell
you, Fanny, it is simply outrageous.
But, mamma, do they ever trouble
you?''
No, thank goodness. I can't say that
they do but then the idea-how very pie
beian and vulgar; bat in my veins there is
no plebeian blood, and | cannot And
Mrs. Lindsay raised her cigarette to her
nostrils, as if there was something contami
mating in the very name of ''plebeian.
Fanny is just like papa" said Miss Belle
with contemptuous shrug. He'd sooner
dine with poor man any day than the Lord
Mayor of Boston"
Whereat Fanny laughed. The idea of
lord mayor in this republican land was very
rich and she appreciated it.
What are you laughing at ?" demanded
Belle, who knew it was some mistake of
hers.
Il was only thinking should like to see
the lord mayor o, Belle I fear your edu
cation has been quite neglected
1T has not been neglected SO that l am
only in my element among the tramps and
beggars !" was Bellies spitetul reioinder.
Fanny, you are very rude" said her
mother, with severity. Bellies nerves are
very delicate, and ought not to be Jared the
very least. DIR. Wallace says so.
Fanny smiled. She knew the doctors
private opinion on the subject, but it was
given sub rosa. she did not then repeat it.
Making her escape from the room, she
hastened to the kitchen, where she found
small basket of deicacies prepared by the
cook, another Of her sympathizers, and ia
king this upon her arm she lett the house by
the rear door, taking care that none of her
relatives should see her. \ short but rapid
walk brought her to the door of dreary
looking tenement house, and entering, she
passed up the narrow staircase, dismal and
unsafe, and raped gently upon the door OF
ons Of the rooms
Come in, feeble voice responded.
Why, Mrs. Calf" said Fanny, as she
o0eyed the invitation, ''you are alone ?''
es, dear Miss Fanny" replied the in
valid, for such she was, sadly. Il am alone,
and am compelled to remain alone the great
er part of the time. johnny must 20 out
TO sell his papers or we could not live. and
| have no one else. But, after all, she
added, Frightening up, 4 get along quite
well. l have my Bible always"
But if you should happen to be taken
with violent fit OF coughing, exclaimed
Fanny, sorro Wfully, gazing upon the wasted
cheek, on which consumption's poetic seal
was plainly visible.
God would take care of me, said Mrs.
Gait, locking up reyerently.
Fanny's tears were flowing, but she took
her basket and spread its delicacies before
the good woman, whose eyes were also full
as she found voice to murmur:
God will surely remember you, dear
friend, for all your kindness to me. | pray
that he viii bless you ever
And Fanny, not in the least aristocratie,
stopped over the bed and kissed her.
Where have you been, Fanny ?" asked