The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1880-07-29
WHAT 1 DISCOVERED.

WHAT 1 DISCOVERED. as
They were house-cleaning at Mrs,
Copper's clearinghouse. Ny paterna al
grandmother, Mrs. Perkins, lived next
4 door to that establishment, and l had
been to call upon her and just lodged a
dpper full OF water aimed at an upper
s xfNdow as | crossed the pavement.
Wserwas dripping from all the newly
Washed window sills. A stout Irish girl
US On the top Of step-ladder in the
vsstibuie. Mysterious female heads
snVeloped in towels appeared at upper
q widows and vanished Instantly. A
q hsonining gentleman of color was
q ngineering two poles with "A bucket
anagon them through the area door.
snd . faint smell of paint came through
q he edoor, in company with tall person
ha white paper cap, who had the air
ofone whose occupation was over. Be-
hind him came small, gaunt, prim,
and perfectly-dressed young man, who
was endeavoring to get full view of
bis own back as he rushed down the
front door steps. | knew my friend.
Nj. Mirabeau Spriggins.
"How dye do, Spriggins?' 1 cried,
IS he ran against me, "and what are
you doing herep"
lie looked as though he had been
after the spoons. But Spriggins has no
sense OF humor, sol didn't say so then.
sprlggglns answer was the Yankee
one a question.
= Perkins, E. have | got any paint on my
Having carefully examined his back.
lreplied truthfrily in the negative.
oPrlgglns gave sigh of relief.
"loa SEE, she's cleaning house, he
nn, ~ and it's a thorough cleaning.
u No !cu know I'd come up to board with
ar. Copper"
mo. Have you?" I asked.
"fes,' said he. very nice place.
Large room, south aspect, hot and cold
rater, reasonable terms. Had to leave
ferguson's. Nine crying babies and
mo ~ Young ladies studying for the opera
iasre. 'Greeable sort of person, Mrs.
soPPOii Ill nef manners.
". very agreeable said. "Good
nousekeeper, l believe"
That's evident" said he. "Well,
lNa mouse, cleaning is necessary And he
..'ol p0hed at his elbows again. "You're
= ss's 1ere's no paint on me?' he, said,
u pathetic tone. -
Not speck," l replied.
!. bow old do you suppose she is?''
ae asked, in a moment more.
.Whop" | inquired.
aaandlady," responded Spriggins.s E
~ Mrs. Copper! Wen, somewhere
N1ween thirty and fifty" said l.
,saggue," responded Sprlggins.
:. = l, can't get any Closer" said 1.
one isn't gray" said Spriggins;
); aut then, I've seen those things ifi the
slnaows.. Thin little wigs--inyisibles,
aey call 'eni. Maybe she wears one
Mem-I think she does. ~
my grandmother does, said I;
and my little cousin, just eighteen to-
logow; that tells hothine."
NO, itdoesn' t-does itH said Sprig-
~, mo. Isay, did you ever hear
], ,nsaalnS,,a-a-mysterious salnS about Mrs.
-. !" .Mysteriousp No. What do YOU
ean. asked. - Il
] a,s.s aaWell! Late Copper died . natu-
';.l aea,h' =. ehP Wasn't poisoned or any
fel from scaffold and broke his
'cs, de wasa builder,' said /.
pne couldn't have pushed him off,
! .aaa9iy1,,hingpn az, asked Spriggins.
Why, in the name of s Common sense
s a'a she have pushed him off?n T.
,.,.a iaachment to somebody else," sug-
:, "fs. copper attached to somebody
- !. a plain, respectable woman like
s.os dear! Why, whoever sug-
s'ea !. 60 such thingP''
q M well-nobody,' said Sprig-
-, out she wasn't on the scaffold ?'
! At nome getting dinner, and went
- : cwonvulsions . when she heard the
VS." | answered.
ns o0nS W settle IL, Sadd Sprg-
! L, should think it did," said I.
[,,ms meil goodbye" said .Spriggins.
IIieP IN some evening"" -. =.
ala drop in. At least, after a week
awo rang the front door-bell of Mrs.
. pper H. s 3 clearinghouse and inquired
nr Spriggins.
,.aa .oand him in his room, which war;
lsed all his encomiums, and he was
's,ns ~ q paper devoted to police re-
lone In. said he. "Glad to see
!. =, NICE room. eh? Had my photo
y pa framed and hung up. Gives the !
~ y, sort of human interest, ehp1
- sa,d' 1T added to the effect II
;a, Know what meant, butt pleased