The Brookhaven ledger. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1877-03-08
MRS. H0PPE2'RsTAXG3.


Juliet" said Mrs. Bennington.
Mrs. Benedict bennington was one OF
those kindly, maternal creatures who
seem exactly Ike 3 relative to every
motherless.svoung girl, ana at whose
hints and Suggestions nobody needs to
take exception.
Juliet Harper was in her own little
boudoir-" den, she called it, in her
odd, abrupt ''way--with n dainty little
easel before her, upon which was II
half finished painting, n stand Of flowers
close at her elbow, and pile of hooks
on the table.
She was very pretty. Not after the
Diana style, but a slight, plump, cher
ry-cheeked girl, with a profnsion of
haxen hair growing low on her fora
head, blue gray eyes, whose pupils had
!, way of dilating rs she hooked at you
and full, scarlet lips, whose parting
smiles revealed row Of teeth small
white and even as pearls And she
wore, at her artistic work. brown
linen blouse, bclted around the trim
NEST Of waists, which nearly hid the
blue cashmere wrapper which. was Ter
daily costume.
81 don't know why sbould regret it,
Mrs. Bonnington,' said Juliet.
"lAud tell me-" soid the matron,
"what has induced you to accept Bev
erlv st. Feiix-a widower old enough to
ho your father?"
He is so noble, 50 generous"
''Generou8?" repeated Mrs. Bonuins
ton. "Why, he is the stingiest old
misar in town. Old Maggie Brewer
W ut to him yesterday TO asks for five
dollars for her:so,l s. orrttift 70 Ar'arr"ii'',
and he nearly putshcr ont OF doors.
II don't believe ii, said Juliet, in
pn'oiycly.
"I had it'dir,cp from,ollMagGie her
self. So I didn't goto him with tins
paper for Old Mrs. Hop
per'a taxes. bat came t" You instead.
The poor old creature VII J." sold 'u'
r tine money is not raised b@ior" next
Nonday evening. And 7 confidently *
poet you r-ill give IL, at least, five dol
lars
yes said JnIiet, who had laid
down her pale:'e"aud mahl-stick,E and
was absently buckIing and unbncklmg
her leather belt "Ill give You five
dollars and Mr.. St. Felix shall give you
twenty-five" "
"How?"
because l shall ask him for it, re-
plied Juliet, trumphantly. Il will
prove to yon how whole hearted, no"
generous he can he.
90. of conrse, he'll give it fast
enough # you ask him for it, SAID Mrs
bennington, incredulously.
"Tt will be. merely al investment
which he expects TO realize over and
over again in your hundred and fifty
thousand dollars"
1uliet stood moment. pulling her
vously at the scented leaves of rose
geranium which blossomed ON the Wire
stonJ close TO her. Then she left the
room; and aft'r kwhiie the opposite
door opened, and 0'.little old woman IN
a blue cloak, POKE bonnet, and q
crook handled cane, hobbled in.
My goodness gracious? cried Mrs
Bennington, starting up.
Don't i.e alarmed. said a familiar
voice under the poke bonnet, 81 m only
old Mrs. Hopper collecting money for
her taxes"
and yon are going"
"To Mr.. St Felix's office at once, to
prove to you that he is all that he
seems. How DO you like my disguise?
Us my masquerade costume, in which
appeared as old Mother Hubbard.
said Juliet, mischievously, land now /
intend to make it useful again. Wait
here for me until l come back. Give
me the subscription paper.'
And she limped away. ssil} followed
hy Mrs. Bonnington's woalering eyes
Mr St. Felix sat iii his revolving,
leather Office chair, busted with long
columns of figures. He was a sto2t,
portly man, of middle age, to be .Fstire,
/ bnt SO admirably preserved. that the
crows feet and pFrinhles We're scarcely
visible around his eyes. and you con'd
scarcely observe the bald spot on the
back of his head, SO carefully was the
hair brushed over it.
'Eh?" said Mr.. st. Felix, knitting
his brows as an Humble tap came to the
door. s.who's that? Come in!'
And, the figure in the blue camlet anf
Iifhe poke baanet, courtesied elaborate
lily TO him.
What's wanting now?" asid Mr.. st
Felix, gfuiiiy.
gPlease to read the letter. sir.
ed Mrs. Hopper, Extending. tn
| re.ta pf Recommendation. and its at
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. list.
Mr.. St. Felix merely cast his eye
over it, and handed it back
"Got nothing for- sol said hf
harslly.
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