Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1878-11-15
MISS MINT's FRIEND.

MISS MINT'S FRIEND.
| frank. do you know anything about
the queer little person who sits opposite to
us at the dinner table? Miss Mint, they
call her. Is she teacher. or what?"
Frank Hastings, young man who for
six months had enjoyed all the comforts
and convenlences of a private home at
Mrs. Starkweather's select boarding house
No. Is - street, lighted fresh cigar be-
fore he answered, rather languidly:
mo, she is ten times worse-a sort OF
reporter. She goes round to churches and
lecture rooms, trying to pick up the few
stray crumbs the other reporters leave be-
hind them. There is only one paper en-
ploys her regularly, and that at starya-
ton price. She wears one dress all the
year round, sports bonnet handed down
to her by her great grandmother, and
rooms in an attic. for which precious pri-
vilege and her dinner she pays Mrs. Stark
weather three dollars week. Bah!'' con-
cluded Frank, in tone of disgust. as he
threw one leg over another, and sat gazing
into the fire.
s'Poor soul She is to be pitied, I am
sure,' said Caleb barley, who, being a re.
porter himself, and tender-hearted man
besides. felt some sympathy for the little
creature they were discussing.
s'Nonsense ~ said Frank, sharply. "Why
don't she try her hand at something else
dressmaking or teaching, or some other
work fit for q woman"
| ssPerhaps she hasn't the chance or the
talent to do either,'' barley replied.
.'Then let her stay at home and help
about. the house. Come to think of it.
though, believe she has no home. She's
an orphan. Suppose it is rather rough 70,
the poor thing" said Frank, with a tlnge
of conjunction in his voice. s'But come
barley, let US drop Miss Mint as seedy
subject. Have another clgar?"
ssThank you, no; I must be off. I've
got to report --'s sermon tonight
| ssPoor fellow! Glad am not in your
line of business said Frank, who was
clerk in large wholesale store. "Won-
der if little Mint's going! You might es
cort her home, barley. It would be quite
new sensation for her, and just think
how all the fellows on the street would
envy you"
ssOh, leave poor little Miss Mint alone, .
said barley, as he walked towards the
/ oho3a nivvor n n
Pagainst stiff stream, like the most of us
and finds it hard work to keep her head
above water. Don't throw stones at her. >
upon my word you are developing a
poetical vein. This is really getting dan
gerous. Well, goodbye for the present
old chap; look in again after church, will
you?''
mo; must go to the office,' said Ca
/ leb, as he went out.
In her little room, two stories higher up
Miss Mint was putting on her bonnet
quite unconscious of how she was being
discussed below.
She was very small and slight, this pool
little heroine of ours, with face that
might have been pretty before privation
and anxiety stole its bloom and plumpness
away. Her glossy brown hair was brush
ed in smooth waves over her forehead, she
had large, tender gray eyes, and a mouth
that for all it's resolution and character
had pathetic droop at the corners that
seemed to have become habitual. She was
nearly twenty-three, but looked at least
two years older.
Her little room was as bare and comfort
less place as could be imagined. No fur
mace heat could penetrate up there, an6
Miss Mint's hands were so numb witt
cold she could scarcely pin her shawl. Ths
floor of the room implanted and Eare. SAVE
for a strip of rag carpet by the bed; thu
ugly little wash-stand in the corner, witt
it's clumsy bowl and pitcher the stiff look
ing wooden chair that made your back
ache to look at it; and the bed itself, with
it's tawdry, faded counterpane-it was {
dreary picture for poor little Ellen Mint'
beauty-loving eyes to rest on, She hae
done her best to brighten it: two or three
pictures she had brought with her hung OF
the walls, the little table by the window
was covered with books, and delicate
glass vase she was too poor to fill with thu
flowers she loved, stood on the bureau
There were a couple of hanging shelves OF
the wall, of which only the upper one with
her work basket ON it, was visible; greer
and white calico curtain hid tho rest. Thi
was her cupboard.
But we return to Miss Mint herself, VIII
is down stairs and out Of the door by Thu
time. She is quick walker, and in few
moments finds herself at the entrance tt
the church, already besiegsd by an anxlou
crowd, who are kept in check by the nsh
ers and couple of policemen. Miss MIN
does not attempt to press in here; sne sip
round by q side door, and an usher, wh
knows her by this time. plants a chair 10
her at no great distance from the pulpit
She sinks mechanically into it. and slts II
a sort Of stupor for while-ths .caang
from her dark, chilly room to this WaTms
and dazzle of light makes her head sWin
and her heart tremble. But her nerves ar
naturally strong and steady and she 500