South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1879-08-01
The Sick Artist.

shame that Mr.. Fontaine's daughters
should stoop so low i'm life rs TO deal
out their hospitality for money. But
NIFTY ssid-and NIFTY has q great deal
OF common sense-that We must live.
and all the genteel company that came
20 visit US wouldn't put 50 much as
penny In our pockets towards coal and
taxes.
Mrs. Hall, who lived next door TO us
said she knew we would not make il,
pay. No one but an experienced
house-keeper could make it pay
Miss Cynthia Caldwell thought that il
would have been much nicer and more
, select 70 DO fine sewing, or get place
as governess, or something OF that sort /.
/ which wouldn't have been 50 public.
Old Fearnleaf said bis daughters
shouldn't visit US, and DR.. Millet looked
the other way when he brought his fash
ionaoie new bride TO town and met Nit
W face TO face i'm the street.
Dear me- said NIFTY, laughing. what
n queer world this isl'
But was angry enough TO cry.
No matter, Nifty said well teach
them that We can be quite independent
without them
We'll, as time went on. we had several
boarders. Old Mr.. Pettigrew and his
niece Clarissa, who gave lessons in wax
flowers and water color paintings. Our
rooms were full, all except the little one
over the wing.
Kate said NIFTY. triumphantly, we
are making money. l put eleven pounds
IN the savings hank to-day, over and
above all expenses for the past month
i dare say Mrs. Hall saves more than
that, said !.
i think very likely said NIFTY. On.
ly. you see, Mrs. Hall does everything
on grander scale than we can D-eten d
TO keep up with
We do our own marketing, wash and
iron our own table linen. and slit the
ashes on the sly, while Miss Henrietta
Hall IS practicing The Maiden's Prayer
Oh the piano.
But them observed I, we are not
such fine ladies' as Mrs. Hall and Miss
Henrietta. We are only two poor little
old maids, who are obliged TO earn our
own living
Kate. you arc not an old maid, in ,
dignantly cried out NIFTY.
And you are as fresh az n rosebud
beside Henrietta Hall said |, patLing
her cheek. Do you know, dear, |
think hard work agrees with both or us >
30 things went on, until one summer
evening we were out on our steps, when
there was qui;e commotion in the car
reted hall of our neighbor, Mrs. Hall.
OF course lie must 60 Mrs. Halls
voice shrilly announced. 1t was great
imposition on me that he should ever
come here. l supposed he was an author
or lawyer, or some genteel occupation
and now you zee he is nothing but a
painter. a common painter.
An artist, msam,' suggested Mr..
Bridseyc.
And where's the difference, should
like TO know sputtered Mrs. Hall
Except that one has AZ least daily va.
ges to depend upon and the Other hash l.
And now here he is down With scarlet
fever or smallpox, or some such hideous
ailmcnt, and
Only q malignant form OF nteymit-
tent fever, ma'am, again uecklv put in
Mr.. Birdsoye.
No matter what name they call it by, :
said the lady, waxing hotter and hotter
in ardor Of discussion. Il don't keep 9
hospital here, and il [ did, wouldn't
hnrbOr any such trash. SO The sooner he
packs Off. the better | shall be pleased. >
But where is he to 60? asked young
Diederman. He has no friends that
anybody knows OF and
AL tie more reason should get him
off my hands rs quickly as possible.
said Mrs. Hall. The idea Of nv becom
ing responsible for his funeral expenses,
or
Hush. Waller will hear you inter
rupted Mr.. Birdseyc. His window is
open.
Il don't care If Inc does hear me- snap
ped Mrs. Hall. lie ought TO have been
ashamed OF himself, coming here under
such circumstances "a these. But he
goes. sick or we'll, before sunset this
very night There arc public hospitals
enough, suppose.
Plenty Of en-, said Mr.. BirGseye
dryly, and whilo ne is waiting for al
the forms TO be gone through with. in
order 20 gain admission. ho will most
likely die in the street.
We'll, let him die. sal Mrs. Hall
That's no business OF mine that know
or
Nifty looked at me. looked at Nit
ty. Our eyes both sparkled mute tolo.
| graphic messages % each othcr-and
spoke ont Of tho choking indignant fu.l
ness Of my heart.
Nrs. Hall cried T. Mr. Waller NAV
como h9re, whoever he is. a sick man.
/ lriendless and alone, should he able %
clnim brotherhood with all the world
. NIFTY and | will take care Of him until
+ he is able 20 take care OF himself
Mrs Hall took us at orr word with
extreme promptitude. g before uightfall
poor Bernard Waller vas snugly install.
ct ~ the little vacant room override wing
- pale ghostly- locking creature. bah.
ping IDLY OF people and places on the
continent that We never heard OF.
DR.. NIllet shook his head very grave.
w. 'IiC is very sick man vgas lie