Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-07-07
Gales ar,o Sketfbes.
An ANGEL UNAWARE.
KEEPING SUMNER BoARDERs IN MAINE

1T was a scandal the neighbors said.
that Miss Della should be obliged to take
boarders after all she'd been through, and
heaven knows boarders didn't helpa body
to work out her salvation. And so much
money in the family. too. taking it by and
large. Wasn't her Uncle Eben, over at
Dover, well tn do, and not chick OF his
own to care for, except the boy he bad
adopted, who was no credit to him. 1t
was odd, now, that a man with poor rela-
tions should take TO a stranger, when his
own flesh and blood was needy but some
times it did seem as If folks had more feel
ing for others than their own kitb and kin.
Then there were cousins in the city, tore
handed and fashionable, who never were
worth row Of pins to Della; and there
was her great-uncle Johns widow a-lark-
ing on the continent, a-gambling at Baden
Il den, and trying the waters ofevery min
e-al spring in three kingdoms, for no dis
use under the sun but old age. She'd
been known to say that her own folks
were too rich already, and probably she
would endow some hospital with her prop
erty."
Plainly, wealthy relations were Of no
value To Miss Celia. To be sure she had new
or seen her great aunt since she was child,
when her Uncle John had brought her in
TO simple life for a months visit, with her
French maid and dresses, her jewels and
fallals. which won the heart of her name
sake Since then her Uncle Johns wild
ow had been sort of gilded creation. al
ways young and beautiful for though De-
liza had received little gifts from time to
time across the seas for years, she had
neither seen nor heard anything OF the be-
ing who had inspired her youthful imagi-
nation, and was quite uncertain il SUCH a
Berson as Mrs. John Rogerson was in the
land Of the living. Dead or alive she
seemed to have made no material differ
ence in Delia's humdrum life. After hav-
ing nursed her father through a long illness.
Della found that he had left a heavy mort
gage on the homestead. and her mother
and herself on the high road to the poor
house, unless they should bestir them
selves As her mother was already bed
ridden, the stirring naturally fell upon
Della, and she advertised for boarders:
Good board in tn. country by the river side, at
seven dollars a week. Large chambers, broad piaz
zas, fine views, berries and new milk One mile
from the station. Address
DELLA goGERsox, Croftsborough, Ne.
Cheap enough ~ commented an elder
~ lduy WHO HipptiSh upVh i'cih'
Roperson. An old maid. | suppose,
Obliged to look ont Tor herself | have
good mind to try her broad piazzas and
new milk II | don't like, there'll be no
harm done"
And so Delia's first boarder arrived. an
old lady, with false front of hair. brown,
wrinkled skin. faded eyes, black alapaca
gown. and hair trunk. Della made her
rs welcome as if she had been a duchess
lighted wood fire in Mrs, Clements
room as the night was damp, and brought
out her dantiest cup and saucar, with the
fadeess old roses wreathing them.
Wonderfully kind" reflected Mrs.
Clement as she combed out her whisp of
gray hair and confided the false front to
box. Wonderful kindness for seven
dollars week, She's new to the trade.
She'll learn better. Human nature don't
change with ATTITUDES. She'll find it don't
pay to consider the comfort of a poverty
striker creature
But in spite of her worldly wisdom
Mrs Clement was forced To confess that
Della had begun rs if she meant to hold out
though other boarders came to demand
her attention, TO multiply her cares. The
jar and fret of conflicting tcmperaments
under her roof was n new experience to
Della When Mrs Gresome complained
Of the mosquitoes, with an air rs if Miss
Rogersome were responsible for their |
creation; of flies. as if they were not ac-
quantances of want of appetite, rs
though Della had agreed to supply it. |
along with berries and new milk; of the |
weather. a. If she had pledged herself |
there should be no sudden changes. to an
noy her boarders; of the shabby house |
and the antiquated furniture. "too old for |
comfort and not old enough for fashion,
then Della doubted if taking boarders
really was her mission.
What makes you keep us my dear ~
asked Mrs. Clement, after day when |
everything and everybody seemed to go
wrong. "Why didn't you ever marry? |
You had a lover daresay?n
Eyes. long time ago
Tell me about it."
There is not much to tell He asked |
me to marry him. He was going to Aus
tralia. couldn't leave father and moth
er. you Snow-they were both feeble
and he couldn't stay here. That was
all"
And you
"'Now all men besides are to me like
shadow"
And you have never heard of him
sincep''
Yes. He wrote; but where was the
use 1t could never come to anything. 1t
was better for him TO forget me and mar
ry. Ii was mill stone round his neck.
didn't answer his last letter.
but if he would some day return.
would you marry him ?'
Il dare say" laughed Della. gently, as
if the idea was familiar. ''let the neigh
bors laugh ever so wisely. I've thought
OF it sometimes. sitting alone. when the
world was barren and commonplace.
One must have reaction of some kind.
YOU know. Everybody requires a little
romance. n little poetry, to flavor every
day thinking and doing. | am afraid
you'll think me 4 silly old maid. Mrs.
Clement"
No. The heart never grows old. The
skin shrivels. the color departs. the eyes
fade. the features grow pnched; but the
soul is heir of eternal youths rs beauti-
full at TOUR score as at sweet and twenty
Time makes amends for the ravages of the
body by developing the spirit. You
didn't tell me your lovers name. Per-
haps you'd rather not"