The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1877-11-15
The Picture Frame.
By VIM.

mo. indeed. mother" replied her
daughter. bright looking chatter box
Ut sixteen or thereabouts. "You need
not expect any msrcy from Rock Crys.
tai, especially if there is any danger Of
his losing cent thereby. Let me see, /"
she continued, musiugly, trying-we
ATE Obliged to coufess IN vain-to put
All old look on merry face that was
only made for sunshine and laughter.
I'VE owe him about twenty dollars
don't we, mother. -
Yes, dear"
"Wsli, l have thirty -four ceuts, and
son. mother, say you have . dime; that
i. forty-four ceuts. Hardly enough to
satisfy the grasping Crystal, rm afraid.
No. something else must he done"
shaking her head in . grave, solemn
manner. Il might turn governess;
but rs don't know anything myself,
an afraid that won't do. Then, again,
there IS the milliner's trade; but in.
stead of getting q salary, must pay
Mrs. Turner fifty dollars for an iuiti4.
tion ints the business. No, that won't
10. Mother. what ara your views in
regard to this national calamity !''
DO stop your nonsense, child" ans
wered her mother, smiling In spite oi
herself IF you can see any way out
Of the predicament, for goodness sake,
tell me
81 can see but one way, mother, and
that is to pawn the things that Uncle
,hn sent me before he died"
What your watch aud set of pearls,
the last gifts that poor John sent you.
No. no. child you mustn't think Of it.
GUS pictures that he sent at the same
time. That with the gilt frame. the
one that Cousin Harvey thought con-
tained money because it was 70 heavy
Foolish fellow; he soon found that q
piece Of satin wood was the most vnlu-
able thing besides the frame. which il
probably soms foreign wood that has
more weight than beauty"
Here the conversation was inter:
rupted by u door-bell A moment later
their landlord. the rich Mr.. Crystal
catered the apartment
Good m'rning ladies'" he began
"You probably know my errandg
trust that everything is ready. ss am
in somewhat OF hurry this morning. y
II suppose it would b. useless to ash
you to wait for few days.
What is it possible that you are
short Of money! What do all these
pictures aud fine furniture mesny Il
is extravagance, rauk extravaganza
| madam for woman in your circum.
stances To indulge in such fin-ries. And
yet you have the hardihoOd to ask ne
to help pay for them. l will have tht
rent tomorrow or you leave the house
bag and baggage; sol prepare yourself
my lady"
MIR. Crystal" exclaimed Mrs. Burke
her eyes flashing and looking unutierA
BILE scorn at him, 'how dare you ilsuli
lady in her own house. for it is mine
until to morrow. A gentleman, indred:'
The last sentence was uttered to her.
self. as Mr. Crystal backed from the
room. feeling meaner than he ever felt
before.
GOOD, mother good!" laughed Jessie
Burke. How slnail be did look, to be
sure. Methinks he will not bs so self
conccited for the rest of the day"
"llush. Jessie. hush," reproved her
mother. Il am sorry spoke 40 hastily;
my temper got the best Of me. We csn
expect no rslenting from him after
this"
"Never mind. mother. something will
turn up. Providence will not desert us
after having taken care Of US so long. "
II hope not. child; l hope not"
That afternoon, as Mr.. Craftville, the
senior partner Of Crnftville & Martin,
chrome dealers. was examining the ac-
count Of one of bic clerks. be noticed
the entrance Of small but graceful
lady, who seemed to be in search of
some one. Stepping up To the counter
he politely inquired it be could H.. of
any service to her.
is Mr.. Crafrv,lle la" she asked
iimidly.
THAT is my name; ut your service.
madame" he answered
Il called to see you about some pic.
ture frames" she began, hesitatinely.
II ha 70 several that wish to dispose OF.
Would you buy them ?"
"W-ll. We are not in the habit OF
buying frames in this way. Ours are
made 10 order: still, will look at
yours. and may posaibiy give you soms-
thing for them"
Encouraged by his tone. Mrs. Burke.
for il was che, drew from beneath heE
shawl the gilt-framed picture that she
bad alluded to IN her conversation with
her daughter that morning. Placing Il
on tbs counter she waited anxk,usly fog
his verdict. Il wss not long in coming.
An extraordinarily heavy picture.
he observed.
is there any metal about il that you
know off" Have you taken it apart -
"Yes. have had il taken to pieces
several times. but there Is nothing thers
except the frame and a piece Of board
at the back"
Strange" muttered the merch.nt.
Have you any obie- -,ion to my taking
il into the Office for moment to ex-
anime it." be added aloud. turning n
Mrs Burke.
Certainly not" she answered.
The merchant Was gore but Q mo-
mens. Returning to Mrs. Burke, be
laid the frame on the counter. at the
same time inquirirg-
Are the rest Of your picture frames
| like this -
NO." answered Mrs. Burke; "they
are of some kind Of foreign wood. bal
not y heavy as this i"
What il your idea nf the value oi
this frame I" continued the merchant
looking at her curicusiy. she thought.