The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1881-09-23
MRS. CAREY'S SUMNER BOARDERs

"Really. George, think had bet
ter take few boarders this summer"
remarked little Mrs. Carey to her
brother, as they fingered over the tea
table one fine spring evening.
ssTake boarders! What for, Maria?"
asked Mr.. Herbert. somewhat absently
toying with teaspoon.
To make money, suppose" re-
piled the sister, little nervously, for
She did not quite like to insinuate that
she had not everything she could pos
sibly desire.
Mrs. Carey had been left widow, in
most destitute circumstances. years
ago, when her daughter Ruth, now
nearly eighteen years old, was but q
baby, and she still remembered how
tenderly her only brother had cared for
her. Unmarried, lawyer in fair
practice, he had purchased the little
cottage in which they still lived, and
taking his sister and her child to it,
had settled down apparently convinced
that they were now established for life,
and that no more changes could come
to them. And so it seemed to be. Mr..
Herbert. quiet and studious, having the
comforts of home, had never married,
while his sister, always bright, sweet
tempered woman, found consolation
for her early loss in little Ruth, grow
ing more lovely, SO it seemed to the
fond mother, with every year that
passed; a sunshiny little mortal, dearly
loving her mother, idolizing her uncle
and filling the otherwise quiet home
,y;th l;rbf ond 1ifo
But Mrs. Carey had for some years
seen the growing fondness of her
brother for quiet study among his be-
loved books, and how, unperceived by
him. younger and more ambitious men
were gradually taking his practice to
themselves. He owned the house, it
is true, and had made some investments
which brought him trifling income,
but Notwithstanding the utmost econo-
nv, she could scarcely make the two
ends meet. and many little privation
unwilling to annoy or grieve any one
who had ever been so tender of them.
So when Mrs. Carey heard one and
another of her neighbors exulting over
how much they gained from summer
boarders, she had pondered on it, and
finally concluded that she might do like
wise.
This was why she replied somewhat
hesitatingly to Mr.. Herbert's question
of WHY she wished to take boarders.
DO you need money, Maria?" asked
Mr.. Herbert. with gesture toward his
pocket in which Mrs. Carey knew too
well he would find very little of that
article.
mo, no. George" she answered.
hastily. II did not mean that. Only
women are always fancying what great
things they might do if they had an op-
portunity, you know, and of course ]
have nv fancies, like the rest"
30, we'll" said Mr.. Herbert, with a
look of relief, 4" if it is an amusement
to YOU. do as you please" and he re-
{" An amusement!'' Poor little Mrs.
Carey sighedas she repeated the words.
and looked wistfully about the room. as
if bidding it farewell. For q sudden
realization of how extremely disagree
able it would be to have strangers con-
stantlv in her pretty home seemed to
dawn upon her mind. Another thought
also troubled her. She knew full well
that Ruth would disapprove of the
plan, for she had spoken of it during
the previous season, and Ruth had OPP
posed it, saying that her mother was
not used to being ordered about and
snubbed, as she. heard some of the
neighbors say their boarders tried to
do with them. That she was quite sure
it would end in loss rather than gain,
and she would far rather teach school.
take in sewing or even going out to
service, than have her mother worn
ont OF ill-treated. So Mrs. Carey