The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1879-07-12
AN OLD PLATE.

"There, that's likely-looking house"
cried Mrs. Hunter 81 would almost be
willing to bet that we shall find and
irons there. Please stop the horses, Mr..
Freke. | must go in"
Mr.. Freke obediently drew rein, and
the glossy bays arrested their trot before
the Whitewashed gate, which hung, he
noticed, by single hinge. The house,
shabby and defaced as it looked, was
evidently no common farmstead. 1t
had been somebody's residence" once
and still wore that look of better days
gone by which, to the experienced brio
a-brac hunter, suggests cobwebbed cup
boards and low-raftered garrets full Of
cherished odds and ends Mrs. Hunter
tapped smartly once or twice, then turned
with laugh to Mr.. Freke, who, having
tied his horses, had followed up the walk.
1t is no use" she said; these coun-
try people never use the front rooms of
their houses. [ shall go round to the
kitchen door. | always try to make an
excuse for getting into the kitchen, and
this time we have a legitimate one, as
nobody answlr RS US here.
So round the house she went, over
weeds and grass tussocks, and low-grow-
ing briers which caught at her silken
skirts as she passed, and knocked at the
kitchen door, which was fastened only
by a heavy iron latch. Once, twice;
then boldly hitting the latch, she went
directly into the kitchen-a large square
room, with windows or both sides, and
floor of worn, uneven boards, which
sloped in unexpected rises and descents,
and made walking uncertain pastime to
unaccustomed feet. A frele8s stove oc-
cupied the deep chimney, on one side of
which stood a wooden settle covered
with faded calico. Rows of milkpans
tilted on their sides stood on the window
stills; there was a sink painted red, q
table, two or three cane chairs,ssa on
the wall a fy-specked certificate of
membership in the Bible society, bearing
date many years back. Over these arti-
cles Mrs. Hunters experienced eye
darted in seconds space; then only
pausing to say, in q whisper, "That's
rather a nice old settle, isn't it?' she
walked rapidly across the room TO cup
board, whose half-open door showed a
gleam Of crockery inside, and presently
exclaimed: "There, didn't | tell you
So Mr. Freke? Here as a find! Do you
see that large plate on the upper shelf?
Old burnt china, as Pm alive, of the
finest kind, aud a real beauty! Who
would ever have expected such thing
in house like this? All dusty, too;
don't suppose they use it, or care for it
in the least People of this sort never
do Well, | call this luck"
She had the plate in her hands by this
time, and was turning it over to examine
the marks on the bottom. 1t was rather
dish than q plate, being large enough
almost to merit the high sounding
"plague Of the modern jargon. Its
pattern Of blue, pale crimson, black and
gold had q grounding of blue 50 light as
to be almost white. A tiny heraldic
shield inserted into the design on one
side, bore twisted monogram in faint
lines of black, blue and gold, and alto
gether, despite a crack and more than
one nick on its rim, the old plate was
uncommon enough to excuse Mrs.
Hunters excitement. She was still ex
amining il, regardless of dust or gloved
fingers, when a clear young voice from
doorway uttered these words: 81 beg
your pardon, but did you want any
thing!"
Mrs. Hunter jumped. Mr.. Freke
jumped also. His feeling" for china
was feeble; certainly it would never have
led him to enter q strangers house I'M
bidded and rife its cupboards, and a
sudden sense Of guilt sent the blood furi-
ously into his face. In the doorway
behind them stood a girl in a gingham
dress, with white apron tied about q
very slender waist, and thick rolls of
bright hazel hair twisted round pretty
head, out of which looked pair of grave
and astonished brown eyes. a remark
ably pretty girl, and a lady too; voice
and accent testified that, IS well as the
gentle self possession with which she
now confronted these unlimited guests.
Mrs. Hunter recovered first. Women
generally do on such occasions.
Il beg your pardson," she said, with
her pleasantest manner. owe knocked
several times without being able to make
any one hear, and at last we ventured TO
walk in Then | saw this curious old
plate on the shelf, and | couldn't resist.
Do you use it, may / ask, or is it Of any
particular value to you? If tot, | might
be glad to buy it, if your mother we're
inclined to sell. It's queer old thing,
but / have some which almost match it,
and should like this"
at belongs to my aunt-Mrs. Marsh, !"
replied the young lady, briefly. II don't
think she would wish 10 part with it. }"
There was no invitation to linger in
voice or manner. Evidently she expect
ed them to goat once"
SIS your aunt at home?' asked the
undaunted Mrs. Hunter. II should like
to see her If she is"
''No, she is not at home" The tone
was perfectly gentle and polite, but still
with the underlying reserve and surprise
which made Mr.. Freke feel so uncom-
fortabIe. Mrs. Hunter apparently did
not share his sensations.
q must come sgain some day when
she is at home," she went on. at is