The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1877-08-31
A Poor Relation.

A Poor Relation.
Eveleen Blake was q school teacher
Rather laborious and i'll paid life it
was for q girl Of nineteen; but the little
heroine knew she had her living to earn
some how. There wasn't An inkling of
romance in her life. except what she
had unconsciously absorbed cut of
novels in the circulating library. Her
two sisters were both married-Mrs.
Simon Sykes and Mrs. John Smith
and each one of them looked out indus
triously for Number One.
"Eveleen has had an eduuation," said
Mrs. Sykes. Let her take care of her
self OF course one wants to be sisterly.
aud all that sort of thing, but when
dear Simon married me. he did not in
tend to marry the whole family.
"Of course not" said Mrs. Smith
"She can't expect US to support her."
Eveleen was mending pair of gloves
one October afternoon, by the window.
when Mrs. Simon Sykes walked in
with a great rustling, and smell of pat
chouli. Mrs. Simon Sykes-nee Blake
was tall, large and rosy. Eveleen
was on the petite scale. with large. lin
pid gray eyes. very little color, and
straight brown hair, which shown like
satin, in the level rays of the setting
sun.
Dear me-" said Mrs. Sykes. show
good the teapot smells, and ! am tired
out with nv walk"
Would you like q cup of tear" said
Eveleen.
"Well. 1 don't mind" said Mrs.
Sykes. unpinning her shawl; that is,
if you've bun or biscuit. or some
thing to nibble with it. Tea. alone.
gives me the heartburn"
So Eveleen went industriously to
work and brewed a cup of tea. and
brought out . plate of rusks. which
were to have made her own frugal even
ing meal.
but l can cat q biscuit or two"
thought self-denying little Eveleen, as
she watched the rusks disappear before
Mrs. Simon Sykes appetite.
"I've had such turn" said Mrs.
Sykes. as she held out her cup for a
second replenishing.
"a turnY" said Eveleen. inquiringly.
YES" nodded Mrs. Sykes; ~ visit
FROM poor relation. dare say she
will be here next, but advise you to
send her about her business. as l did"
"Who is it? ?" asked Eveleen, in sur
prise.
"It's Mary Ann Blake. Wants some
thing to do. Expects me to take her
in. and give her home until she can
obtain Q situation"
you don't nse," limited Eveleen. who
had sort of instructive sympathy for
the houseless and homeless.
II want that for Mr.. Sykes relatives
when they come to town." said Mrs.
Sykes. "He's got q single brother with
property, aud married sister, with NO
children. who is very we'll off indeed;
and if l didn't want it, l don't propose
to open free asylum for every old
maid that comes along"
But what will she do"
dol Why do as other folks do. I
suppose. Go to lodg,ng-house.
There's plenty of them. rm sure"
"But if she hasn't got any mcney,"
Then she's no business here" said
autocratic Mrs. Sykes. why didn't
she stay where her friends could take
care Of her -
Perhaps she hasn't any friends"
Then she certainly must be an un-
deserving character, said Mrs. Sykes.
shaking the crumbs down upon Eve
leen's neatly swept carpet. 'Oh, here's
Selma Smith, true As the world"
Mrs. John Smith came Auttering in
"A thin. sharp-featured little woman.
with swapping black eyes. and new
hat. all quiver with artificial sstsrs.
oh" said Mrs Smith, you're here
are you. DebbyY How do, Eveleen !
Well. since you're taking tea. l will
have a cup. Heard the news." as she
sat herself down.
About Mary Ann Bl.kes Yes, OF
course" answered Mrs. Sykes. with a
toss Of the head. "She's been to see rs;
but sent her about her business"
well, she certainly can't expect Us
10 provide for her." said Mrs. Smith.
beginning to crumble up ths reserve OF
biscuits that Eveleen bad brought ont
with sigh. Smiths salary amt large
and I've eocd-sizcd family OF my own.
told her pretty plainly as far as wa'
concerned. she needn't expect anything
/ do hate these genteel begsars. And
if she should como here. Eveicsn.
hope you will give her the cold stonl'
der Hush. There's a knock nov
. II il should be her -
It's good thing we're here to Ad'
wise her," said Mrs. Sykes. as Eseieen
went tn the koor Ev~leen is 50 unsus-
pectingl Anybody could impose upon
her" =.
"Yss. TO b. surs." nodded Mrs
Smith, complacensly. And-brs des'
me, Is IL Mary Ami"
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