Daily globe., 1879-11-02
AN OLD PLATE.

AN OLD PLATTE.
There, that's likely looking house, u
cried Mrs. Hunter. II would almost be
willing to bet that we shall find andirons
there. Please stop the horses, Mr.. Freke
I must so in.'
Mr.. JEreke obediently drew rein, and
the glossy bays arrested their trot before
the whitewashed gate, which hung, he
noticed, by Il single hinge. The house,
shabby and defaced as it looked, was evi-
IDENTIFY no common farmstead. It had
been somebody's ''1esidence" once, and
still wore that look of better days gone-by
which, to the experience of brlc-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.. Frele, 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 no.
body answers us here"
Soround the house she went, over weeds
and grass tussocks, and growing bri-
crs which caught at her silken skirts as
she passed, and knocked at the kitchen
door,wh was fastened only by heavy iron
1ron latch. Once, twice; then boldly lifting
the latch, she went directly iato the kitch-
en-a large square room, with windows
on two sides, and floor Of worn, uneven
boards, which sloped in unexpected rises
and dcscends, and made walking uncer-
tain pastime to unaccustomed feet. A
tireless stove occupied the deep chimney
on one side of which stood a wooden set
tie cushioned with faded calico. Rows of
milkpans tilted On their sides stood On
the windowsills; there was sink paint
cd red, a table, two or three cane chairs,
and on the wall "a fly-speeked certificate
OF membership IN the Bible Society bear
ing date many years back. Over these
articles Mrs. Hunters experienced eve
darted in a seconds space; then only
pausing to say in whisper, "That's rath-
or a nice settle, isn't lt?" she walked rap
idly across the room to cupboard, whose
half-opcn door showed CLEAN of crock
cry inside and presently exclaimed:
There, didn't tell you so, Mr. Freke?
Here is Il find! DO you see that large
plate on the upper shelf? Old burnt china
as | am alive, of the finest kind, and a
real beauty! Who would ever have ex-
pected such thing in a house like this?
All dusty, too; don't suppose they use
it, or care for it in the least. People of
this sort VIII never do. Well, call this
luck"
She had the plate in her hands by this
time, and was turning 1t over to examine
the marks on the bottom. It was rather
a dish than plate, being large enough
almost to merit the high-sounding
'plaque' of the modern iargon. Its pat
tern Of blue, pale crimson, black and
gold had q grounding Of blue so light as
to he almost white. A tiny heraldic
shield, inserted into the design on one
side, bore Il twisted monogram in faint
lines of black, blue and gold, and alto
gether, despite u crack and more than one
nick in its rim, the old plate was uncom-
mon enough to excuse Mrs Hunters ex-
citemcnt. She was still examining it,
rcga.dle Of dust Or gloved fingers, when
u clear young voice from tn" doorway
uttered these words: II beg your par
don, but did you want auything?'
Mrs. Hunter jumped, Mr.. Frcke Jump
ed also. His ''feeling' tor china was
feeble; certainly it would never have led
him to enter strangers house unbiddcn
and rifle its cupboards, and a sudden
sense OF guilt sent the blood rushing
turiously to his face. In the doorway
behind them stood a girl in gingham
dress, with white apron tied about a
very slender waist, and thick rolls OF
bright hazel hair twisted round pretty
head, out Of which looked a pair of grave
and astonished brown eyes. A remark.
ably pretty girl, and lady too; voice
and accent testified that as we'll as the
gentle selt-possession with which she
now confronted these unlnvited guests.
Mrs. Hunter recovered first Women
generally do on such occasions.
I beg your PARDON" she said, with her
pleasantest manner. 1--WE knocked sew
eral times without being able to make
any one hear, and at last we ventured to
walk in. Then I saw his 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 not might
be glad to buy it, if your-lnother were
inclined to SELL It's queer old thing,
but have some which almost match It,
and should like this.''
ut belongs to my aunt-Mrs. Marsh, -
replied the young lady, briefly. 81 don't
think she would wish to part with it,
There was no invitation to inger in voice
or manner. Evidently she expected
them to 60 at once.
us 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.. Frcke feel so uncomfor-
table. Mrs. Hunter apparently did not
share his sensations.
81 must come again some day when
she is home," she went on. ''It is really
a delightful old plate. What are these
letters on it; do you know? can't make
them out.''