Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1875-04-22
JERRY, THE MlSER.

| small private houses III SuaOOy SuUuI OoA
street. How it came there nobody knew.
| What is more, nobody cared.
Near the door, on this particular afternoon,
were two females, the one elderly, the other
graceful and young; both in the deepest
mourning. In front of it were two London
street Arabs, as ragged as mirthful; before II
stood the oldest being imag inable-a little OLD
man, abou. four feet high, with not over
clean face, iron gray hair, on which rested
worn skin cap, shaggy brows, rather bow legs
and dirty leathern apron. In irate tones he
was addressing the boys:
''OH with you, you young rascals! 1t you
come playing your hopscotch and Sally come
! ups before my window again, Ill fiay you
alive"
Before the muscular fists the boys fled, hurl-
ing back derision "Well done, Jerry-old
Jerry the miser! Yah!''
Tie cobbler-for he hardly merited the
more emphatic title of shoemaker-paid no
heed, but glancing sharply under his bent
brows at the two women, asked, "And what
may you wan,?'
1--WE see-we see," began the younger,
looking timidly towards the square card in the
window, ''you have apartments to let"
"No, I've rooms-roons. don't know
nothing Of apartments; amt up to them
nor the rooms amt neither. Do you want to
see 'em?'
1--WE did wish"
"Allright; come along!' and the little man
swung around on his heel.
The two women, hcsitating, looked at one
| another.
eve had better see them, mother" said the
younger, with a wan smile of encouragement.
His bark may be worse than his bite, andall
the other places are SO dear.
~ A. r., OH 1,1,
| led them upstairs to the rooms. There were
| two communicating by door with each other;
| they were poorly furnished, but clean. AS
| the women looked at them, the cobbcr stared
..Wel]." be asked. ''what do you think of
theln?" ,,
s.Thev will do very well," answered the
widow. .'Its-only-the price,"
s.Six shillings week-in advance
ssSix shillings!" CALCULATED the girl.
''Do you think it too much?"
'sOn the contrary, it is cheap.
! ssY0u know u lot of the world to say that.
How do you know shan't clap en- another
shilling?'
II don't; but l should not fancy you
would
"About references" began the widow.
| s'Don't want any-you pay in advance;
and as, whenever you leave the house, It must
| be through the shop, you can't well take the
| furniture without my knowing. Is it settled!
''If you please here is the first weeks
rent"
| The cobbler took it, scrawled out re-
cept, nodded, and left his lodgers to them
selves. Seated again on his bench. medita-
lively, he scratched his grizzled chin, and
contemplated the six coins in his horny
! palm.
| marked. .Jerry, you miser, how could you
do itS"
The cobbler's dodgers proved very quiet.
! They did not interfere with their Landlord,
and he, apparently did not interfere with
them. His rent was paid to the day..
| They rarely spoke, save exchanging the
ordinary morning and evening saiutatlons
when the daughter went through the snop.
The mother never left tire house. But Jerry,
like most cobblers, was man OF observa-
| t;nn and he made such comments as the fol-
lowing: -.
''Shes beauty, che is: but awful white
and sad. dts my opinion it's hard times
with thern up stairs"
THEN, when the girl went out earlier and
came home later, ever with sadder, more
depressed expression, he said, Ill tell you
what it is, Jerry; she's seeking work, and
doesn't get it, -,
One evening, few weeks after Mrs: Wes-
ton and her daughter rented the cobDler $
apartments, the latter entered the shop later
than usual. i,
The yellow lamp was flaring dismally, and
Jerrv. q boot on his knee, was at wd.k. Az
ter the customary salutation the girlwas pass.
ing OH. when the cObbler's voice arrested
her. >,
Il saw, your mothers i'll, amt she 2" he
asked, nursing his knee with both arms.
Eyes, Mr.. Crayshaw, am sorry to say she
has been for some time ailing. She-she-
ana here the young voice trembaeo WIN
tears-''is very weak.
Then you must give her lots to eat, re-
sponded Jerry, staring out OF the window.
s'The best thing for weak people is nice
roast fowl and a bottle of wine. Why don't
you give them her?'
II wish was able, or even to PROVIDE nes
less expensive dainties; but-bo.-' and the
tears fell fast-''I canaot."
''Ah, that's the fauk, you see, OF having no
money. Good evening"
He resumed his work, and the girl, scarcely
cheered by this little episode, went, WIN
heavy heart, upstairs .,,y,
Mrs. Weston was so i'll she was lying on
her he'd. The candle vas in the room. and
in the parlor crate burnt few sparks OF fire.
over which was q small saucepan. On the
table was tea-tray, And a portion of pre-
vious days loaf. It was such depressing
welcome home after the weary, weary day.
that with difficulty thdpcor girl could control
40 lis that you, ClareF inquired the widows
J feeble voice.
Eyes, mother"
'.Come to me, my child.
rlaro nrossed her white hands to her