Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1877-11-22
A POOR RELATION.


Eveleen Blake was school teach
er.
Rather q laborious and ILL., paid life
it was for girl of nineteen /; but
the little heroine knew she had her
living TO earn somehow. There
wasn't an inkling of romance in
her life, except what she hal uncon-
sciously absorbed out of novels i'm
the circulating library. Her two
sisters were both marrled--Mrs. Si
mon Sykes and Mrs. John Smith
and each OF them looked out indus
triously for Number one.
"Eveleen has had an education"
said Mrs. Sykes, LET her take
care or herself. Of course one
wants TO be sisterly, and all that
sort OF thing, but when dear Simon
married me, he did not intend to
marry the whole family"
t'Of course not, "sald Mrs. Smith,
''Sae can't expect us to support
herr
Eveleen was mending pair OF
gloves one October afternoon, by
the window, when Mrs. Simon
Sykes walked in with q great rustling
and smell OF pStchcuis. Mrs. Sim 0n
Sykes-7iec Blake--swas tall, large
and rosy. Eveleen was or the petite
scale, with larg Q, limpid gray eyes,
very little color, and straight brown
hair. which shone like satin, I'm the
level rays OF the setting sun.
Dear ne" said Mrs. Sykes,
'-'ho9 I'm od that teapot smells, and
I'm tired out with my walk.''
"Would you like cup OF tea,"
said Eyeleen.
.'Well, I don't MIMI" said Mrs.
Sykes. unpinning her shawl, THAT
10. If you've bun or buscuit or
something to nibble with it. Tea,
alone, gives me the heartburn"
SO Eveleen went industriously to
work and breweda cup of tea, and
brought out a plate of rusks. which
were TO have made her own frugal
evening meal.
s'But I can eat biscuit or two,"
thought s-lf-denying little Eveleen.
IS she watched the rusks disappear
before Mrs. Siznon SJ appetite.
ssL've had su:h q turn" said Mrs.
Sykes as she held out her cup for a
second replenishing.
"A turn p'' said Eveleen inquir-
ingly.
"Yes," nodded Mrs. Sykes; "a
visit from poor relation. I dare
say she win be here next, but ad-
wise you 10 send her about her BUSH
ness, as I did 2"
-s'Who Is It," asked Evelsen, i'm
surprise.
'.It's Mary Ann Blake. Wants
something to do. Expects me to
take her In, and give her home un-
til she can obtain situation.'
"There's the little hall bed room
that you don't use," hinted Eve
leen, who had sort Of instructive
sympathy for the houseless and
houeiess.
ssI want that for Mr. Sykes rela
tives when they come 20 town." said
Mrs. Sykes. "He's got a single
brother with pro perty. and a mar
risd sister, wit h no children. who is
rary well Off indeed and if don't
want it, I don't propose to Open a
free asylum for every old maid that
comes along"
eBut what Will she do 20
'sDol Why. do as other folks do.
I suppose. Go to lodging house.
There's plenty of them, I'm sure. "
4sBut if she hasen't got any mon
OF 70
ssThen sh has no business here, -
said autocratic Mrs. Sykes. "Why
didn't she stay where her friends
coulG take care of her?'
Perhaps she hasn't any friends. -
s'rhen she certainly must be an
nndeserving character" said Mrs.
Sykes, shaking the crumbs down
upon Eyeleen's neatly swept carpet.
'sOh. here's Selma Smith, as true as
the world
Mrs, John Smith came fluttering
ln-a thin, sharp-featured little wo.
man. with snapping black eyee, and
o new hat, all a-Guiver with artin-
e;al asters.
son." said Mrs. Smith, "you're
here, are YOU Debbyp How do,
EGeieen ? Well, since you're TAX
ing tea, Ill have cup. Heard the
news ~ as she sat herself down.
"AbouE Mary Anne Blake ? Yes
of COURSE" answered Mrs. Sykes.
with toss or the head. t.Sne's
been to see MS but sent her about
her busines. ~