Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1874-01-27

I
| the conversation the other evening when
Mrs. Hubbard caledP She was telling
how well the Johnson's had succeeded
since leaving Berkeley. When they lett
the village they were in destitute circum'
stances but 10y keeping summer board
ers they have had u comfortable living
all the year, besides laying by something
towards paying Tor their house. The
secret of success in their case seems TO
be in their doing most of the work them
selves, and SO needing few servants; {;
they raise all their own vegetables, and
they charge high price Tor board. City
people expect to pay WELL said Mis-.
Hubbard"
"But-" exclaimed Laura and myself
in one breath.
Just hear me through continued
Ruth, becoming more animated. ave
own the house; that Is great point IN
our lavor-no high rent to pay. The
garden will supply US with fruit and veg
etablos. Then, believe Aunt Deborah
and Uncle James would DC glad 10 come
to live with Us. Thcy have no home OF
their own. With Aunt Dcborah's help,
could get along with one servant. Uncle
james viii make the garden. The un-
finished room oven the diuing.roOm can
be done oil lor them; we can give NJ
the parlor, with the bedroom adjoining, to
boarders, and can also spare two rooms
upstairs"
Laura and looked at each other
obviously. This was indeed new
project.
"lt is a great risk, Ruth"
"Ol COURSE" replied she briskly; "iilc
is series OF risks"
shall YOU advertise Tor your city
boarders?"
The incredulou, smile Of my twin
sister as she asked this question. would
have annoyed less sunny temper than
Rulh's.
That i u unnecessary" Was her quiet
reply. "A great many people stay over
night in Berklcy on their WAY TO the
White Mountains; aud | have often
heard that ii there were only suitable
accommodations nt the tavern, ii could
be full of visitors all summe:.'
RuthS manner was inspiring; and rs
she concluded with. Trust me, girls;
am confident vi success. We were almost
ready to yield to her decision.
Il am not quite prepared to give my
consent to expose YOU TO the mercy "i
city boardcrs, or any other" said Laura
as She rose from the table. Not bcIng
what is called a sharp manager (and
heaven defend YOU from ever becoming
one y you would constantly be imposed
upon. You will never succeed in pub
lie career, dear! The world is u great
game of brag. To hide ones light under
bushel is to put one, sell in the way OF
mercilcss snubbing, or else that most
unpleasant virtue. conde,cension -
GLOW the child talks" said Ruth.
greatly amused. "Who has lived The
longer, Laura, you or Il And now it is
time you were packing the old black
trunk. As You 20 up stairs, please look
in the clothes.press by the chimney. to
see if the rain leaks in. l haze my
suspicious
| shall always think that Ruth had a
double motive in this last request, Tor She
hurried with alacrity in obedience 10 the
call that reached her in a lew moments
later from the upper hall.
Just see I" and LAura's tragic gesture
of despair as she threw open the clothes
press door was worthy oi a Siddons.
1t was indeed a forlorn sight.
The air was thick with that indescrib
able sickening smell of liq"id SCOT. while
big black drops irickled last down the
ceiling. and fell splashing into the large
pool they had formed on the floor.
Il am not surprised" said Ruth. coolly
surveying the scene. ut is well that |
removed the things yesterday The old
shingles are like SO much paper proteo
ton
1T is miserable to be poor |" calculated
Laura, impatiently.
Never mindm was Ruth's consolng
answer. 81 shall earn enough this sum
mer TO make everything snug and trim" "
And to Ruth's triumph. Laura made no
further objections.
The new plan promised to work al
miraby. Uncle James and Aunt Deb
orah gladly consented to come. and soon
the rumor crept around the village that
repairs were making At the Bennett place,
and Mrs. Ruth Ames WAS going to keep
boarders.
One evening the chatty landlady of the
little tavern came bustling up to see Us.
oval, if you aint as slick as fiddle up
here tell 'em YOU ale master hand,
Mis- Ames, and no mistake sez to
John this mornin', siz |, shouldn't won.
der if Mis- Ames could take the new
doctor TO board"
"The new doctor?" repeated Ruth.
inquiringly.
oval. 1 don't s'pose he's actually
settled yet was good Mrs. Williams
reply. at depends on how he likes