The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1880-02-19

Will WHlle lace anu Wluo eyes. LII was
not dismay that she must 90 out single
handed to the combat that kept her
sitting there like statue; it was that
Tom was willing she should fight alone
With deserted feeling, she went in
to where Baby was sleeping; She
dropped beside the bed; she kissed
Baby's hand, thrown out. Then she put
her eyes against the counterpart and
made a VOW never to desert-Baby?
She would as soon have thought of
promising never to desert her own heart.
She promised never, never to desert
Tom. She had a vague fear that evil
was advancing upon Tom. She knelt
there till she had persuaded herself that
she had no right to censure Tom. All
young men fell in love, and all wanted
to marry. She could not expect Tom
to be sacrifice to her and Baby.
When she had thus decided, she sat
up and began to plan her future. There
seemed only one thing for Ivah to do;
to take some boarders. Before going to
bed, she went to the Tribune office,
with an advertisement for the morning
paper.
his room and gone to Mrs. Hills, an
elderly man and his wife were ready to
move it. Table. boarders also came.
That first day, Ivah cooked for seven
boarders. She had young girl to look
after Baby, wash dishes, run errands,
etc.
Ivah's rule was to have few dishes,
well prepared, and having a home-fa-
vor. As she had reckoned, this pleased.
The seven boarders brought in others.
Before the month was out, there were
more applicants than her table would
accommodate. At the months end,
with a throbbing heart, Ivah carefully
cast up her accounts When this was
done, she shut the little book, caught
Baby to her knee, kissing and hugging
the child. The little landlady had come
out ahead. There was balance of thir-
teen dollars in her favor.
She knew that her boarders were so
well pleased that she could venture a
small advance on her prices. Very
small it was, only 70 cents head, on
the week, but it told on the returns.
Before five months had passed, Ivah
decided to take larger and better
house, more conveniently situated for
business people, and to put up her prices.
The house was nearer Toms quarters,
and before Ivah was settled, Tom came
around with his books.
SIT will be SO pleasant to have you
near" he said.
Ivah discerned the sadness in his
smile. She had remarked before that
Tom was looking thinner and more
worn.
Whenever you are belated in your
work, you must come and let me help
you, Tom," she said, beginning to east
up a column of figures.
When they had finished the work, she
inquired about Marie.
"She's at the theater," said Tom,
with dash of bitterness in his voice
and in his face
"Why didn't you 60 with her?" Ivah
asked. -@.-,-.,
81 couldn't afford it, said Tom !;
" besides, 1 have to work. You know
| keep Mrs. Webber's books besides
Harris Brothers books.''
81 suppose you're laying by some
- II.
Couldn't Marie help you somep''
Marie!" Tom cried, with a de-
risive laugh.
Ivah was greatly panied that Tom
could use such language toward his
wife.
"There is nothing Marie can do ex-
cept to spend money. I am not laying
up any thing. She keeps me in debt
every hour of my life. 1 am owing
ninety-six dollars board money now.''
"Why, Toni" cried Ivah, shocked.
" Why don't you 60 to cheaper board
-house?''
81 can't get away from Mrs. Hills till
l have settled arrears, unless I leave
my trunks. Think of that humiliation!n
80 Tom, [ would do any thing,
would live on parched corn, before /
would live in debit
"But you could not help the debt if
you were bound to such person as my
wife,"
That night she lay awake, planning
Tor Tom, remembering her VOW to stand
by him-to desert him never. He needed
her now.
Inc next day she called at Mrs. Hill s,
and by becoming surety for the payment
OF TOMS arrears, she had his belongings
moved to her boarding house. AS this
was now stylish establishment, Marie
made no objection to the move, especial
~ as some of the ladies at Mrs. Hills
had begun to cut her. Ivah believed
with Tom that the secret of Marie's
extravaganza and discomfort and
dissipation was the want of useful en-
ployment. Ivah set herself to meet this
want.
1.-THE French women have such a
knack of making things look their best,
and you have such taste, Marie, that it
would be real favor to me if you would
see to the setting of the table, Ivah
said, with her prettiest manner, which
was very pretty indeed.
So Marie, her skill and self-esteem
battered, went to the dining-room, and
did her best at spreading the table, and
lvah praised the result. By some SINH
lar fnesse Marie was induced to take
charge of the ladies' parlors. Then
Two 1oI