The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1878-09-11
MISS MINT'S FRIEND.

"Frank, do you know anything about
the queer little person who sits opposite
to us at the dinner table2 Miss Mint,
they call her. Is she a teacher, or
what?"
Frank Hastings-a young man who
for six months had enjoyed call the
comforts and couveniences of q private
home" at Mrs. Starkweather's "select"
boarding house, No. 16 - street
lighted fresh cigar before he answered,
rather languilly:
"No; she's something ten times worse
"a sort of reporter. She goes round
to churches aud lecture-rooms, trying
to pick up the few stray crumbs the
other reporters leave behind 'em.
There's only one paper employs her
regularly, and that at starvation price.
She wears one dress all the ear round,
sports bonnet handed down to her by
her great. grandmother, and rooms il.
the attic, for which precious privilege
and her dinner she pays Mrs. StarA-
weather three dollars a week. Bah |
concluded Frank. in tone of disgust,
as he threw one leg over another, and
sat gazing into the fire.
"Poor soul She's to be pitied, I'm
sure, said Caleb barley, who, being d
hard-working reporter himself, and q
tender-hearted man besides, felt some
sympathy for the little creature they
were discussing.
Nonsense |" said Frank, sharply
"Why don't she try her hand az some
thing else ?-dressmaking or teaching
or some other work fit for a woman ?"
"Perhaps she hasn't the chance ol
the talent to do either" barley re
piled.
"Then let her stay at home and helT
about the house. Come to think of it,
though, I believe she has no home
She's an 'orphing.' S'pose tits rather
rough tor the poor thing" said Frank
with a slight tinge of compuncti il
his voice. "But come, barley, let!
drop Miss Mint as a seedy subject
Have another cigar 2"
"Thank you, no; must be off. Iv'
got to report IS sermon tonight"
"Poor fellowl Glad I'm not in you
line of businessp said Frank, who wa
clerk in large wholesale store. "Won
der if little Mint's going7 You nigh
escort ner home barley. It would bt
quite new sensation for her, and jus
think how all the fellows on the stree
would envy you'll"
"Oh, leave poor little Miss Min
aloner' said barley, as he walked to
wards the door, " Remember she
swimming against a stiff stream, lik
the most of us, and finds it hard work t
keep her head above water. Don't thro'
stones at her."
"Pon my word, you're developing
poetical vein. This is really gettin
dangerous. Well, goodbye for tn
present. old chap; look in again afte
church, will you?"
"No; I must go to the Office" sal
Caleb, as he went out.
In her little room, two stories high(
up, Miss Mint was putting on her bon
net, quite unconscious of how she WI
being discussed below.
She was very small and slight, tn
poor little heroine Of ours, with fa'
that might have been pretty before pr
vation and anxiety stole its bloom an
plumpness away. Her glossy brow
hair was brushed in smooth waves ov
her forehead; she had large tender gri
eyes, and mouth that, for all its res
luton and character, had q pathet
droop at the corners that seemed to ha
become habitual. She was near
twenty-three, but looked at least tv
years older.
Her little room was as bare and col
fortress a place as could be imagine
No furnace heat could penetrate up hel
aud Miss Mint's hands were so nur
with cold she could scarcely pin j
shawl The floor of the room unpaintt
and bare save for a strip of rag-carl
by the bed; the ugly little wash stand
the corner, with its clumsy bowl q
pitcher; the stiff. looking wooden ch
hat made your back ache to look at