The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1879-02-27

IOr US untQ nine years ago, Wnen sne Ole0
Then for five years all was experiment and
confusion. At first we tried boarding
but the people with whom we boarded Oh.
jected to our breakfasting at odd mo-
ments betweenS and IL and thought il
unreasonable that we should expec,
little suppers at midnight. And
besides, they also complained that
Uenys-then only twelve, Lut already de.
veloping the artistic,-used their best sau.
GERS, plates and things to mix paints on;
and when the dear boy borrowed the mar.
bic slab OF the parlor table for the same
meritorious purpose, they became so very
violent we were obliged to leave. Then
We tried furnished rooms; made coffee over
the gas In the morning, and dined at the
restaurant in the evening. But we were
soon obliged to give up this mode Of life,
the principal reason being that the bill of
fare proved such temptation-and to our
shame be it said having the most uncer-
tain of incomes-that when our ventures
were unsuccessful we weekly succumbed
to the tempter, and ate birds on toast, and
broiled chicken, and omelette-souffle, and
terrapin, and all sorts of expensive good
things, as long as our money lasted, and
| in consequence were restricted to bread
and cheese and dried beef in the privacy
| of our own apartments for a week or more
after. At last after having dlned sumpt-
uously one day with a few invited guests,
off a medallion and three columned sto-
ry, and then being obliged to live for two
weeks on one short column, we concluded
to try boarding once more, renting a room
at the same time in the Rachael building,
where Gerald could fling his clay and
plaster about to his hearts content, and
Denys, who wouldn't go to school, and
ironld paint, might be out of the way Of
the landlady's china. But, my dear aunt,
the other fellows were in the studio from
morn till night; indeed, several of the
most impecunious spent theirnights there.
and there was very little work done, and
such bills for beer!
Then fortunately-that is, not fortu-
nately, but providentially-no, | don't
mean that either, but | won't waste time
seeking tor the proper expression-Ger-
aids old uncle died and left him this
house. Let's go to housekeeping said
!, and we went. Heaven save the mark!
never could make change; neither could
Gerald; and as for Denys, he and the
arithmetic are and always have been per-
feet strangers. The result lof his ignor-
ance could not fail to be but an expensive
one. Everybody cheated us. The servant
girls wore my best dresses to wakes and
parties, and one of them once had two Of
her friends concealed in the house for
three months, waxing strong and stout on
my provisions, and when at last they were
discovered, declared that she never knew
they were there at all at all.
"And We were forever in debt, and fast
losing our senses, when my dress maker,
a dear, good-hearted English woman, who
used to give me advice, housekeeping adj
vice, In a motherly sort IF a way, which |
would have taken if could have remem-
bered it, died, after long illness, leav-
ing a ffteen-year-old daughter. The
Id looked up at me with those wonder
full brown eyes when asked her. after her
mothers funeral. And what will yea do,
my dear?' and said, 4 don t know, ma am;
have no relation but grandfather out
West, and he has Just married again, and
don't think he wants me-. | gave her a
kiss, and told her to come home with me-
And she came, and since then life has
been more than endurable. She proved
to be the cleverest little thing that ever
lived. intimately acquainted with the
arithmetic and heavens first law, and
has learned to manage everything and ev-
erybody in the house with marvellous tact
and skill. And the manner in which she
understands my absent-mInded ways and
contrary or iers is absolutely wonderful.
Who else, for instance. would know that
often when | say shoes mean hat. and
vice versa? and who else could translate
both dark and white meat and the Chi
nese, you know nv dear, into chicken
salad and rice pudding?' She's treas
ure-rhymes like bird, poses like an an
gel and"
HAS she no lovers?" asks the elderly
lady, looking solemnly over her spectacles
Lovers! bless you. no. Never the
slightest sign of one. Her mother was an
old maid: that is, she wasn't when-l
mean she was before she was married.
Lovers. good gracious. don't speak OF
such a thing. | should murder them.
And I'm quite sure Alice-tLe name of my
next heroine" she explains, in answer 10
a questioning look from her aunt-''has
never dreamed-Was tina: knock at the
door? fit be Alice, enter; anybody else,
depart Immediately"
The door opens in obedience to this com
mand, delivered in loud voice with
much emphasis, and '' Alicia" enters
with downcast eyes and black-edged let
ter In her hand.
81 don't want il, l won't have it," al
most screamed her mistress, Il hate black
letters. Take it away"
1T is not for you. ma am. II is mine;
and-and" with faltering voice. - fear
must leave YOU"
Leave me-" shouted Mrs. Glenmore-
land. starting TO her feet and dropping
the cat, and in her excitemen: she seized
the worn garment the elderly lady has
been carefully patching and darning for
the last hour rom that worthy persons
hands and rends it from top to bottom.
Leave us, What can you-what do you
mean?"
my grandfather has sen. for me,
ma Am. His wife is dead. and he SAYS If is |
my duty To come and live with him. as |
have no other relative in the world
And you are going? demands Mrs
In tragic tones.
al do not know how to refuse"
Gerald, Dcnys," calls Ms. Glenmore-
land. loudly. running across her room and
hndir~ a. or wide open. Come here
inst