Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1882-06-01
Saidee's Expedient.

Z
"Yes, Aunt Leah am coming in a
minute"
&c In minutel r. sarcastically repeated
the old lady. ITS always in q min
ute with you, Saidee. But 1 suppose
because I'm old and helpless my COM
fort is matter of no consequence what
ever"
"Dear Aunt Leah, you must never
think of that" answered q bright
CHEEKY voice; and Saidee Lynn came
into the room with little tray, where
was arranged on q snowy napkin some
tea-biscuits, half dozen pink radishes,
few thin-out shavings of smoked beef
and little pot OF tea, with cup aud
saucer of old blue china which would
have been invaluable to collector.
"You see had you in my mind all the
time, Aunt Leah" she said, n'errily
"I gathered the radishes from our own
garden. Don't they look nice"
Aunt Leah, withered little old lady
In dress of worn black silk, and sharp,
gray eyes, peering through gold-bound
spectacles, tasted of the tea and shook
her head
:" It's too weak" said she. "It isn't
at to drink"
put in al the tea there was in the
canister, Aunt Leah" said Saidee, with
a distressed countenance.
Aunt Leah pushed away the cup with
an expression of distaste.
cit is as I might have expected"
said she. "My nieces have too little
thought for nv comfort to study my
poor and few necessities. Never mind
the tea; can drink cold water, dare
say"
Saidee wrung her hands in despair.
How could she tell this weak, feeble
old lady, above whose declining years
hung the threatening D4mocles sword
of heart disease, of their narrowing cir.
cumstances, of the empty exohequer,
the clamoring creditors, the pitiful
straits to which they we're reduced2 ?
"What shall l dor" she asked herself,
as she went slowly back to the little
kitchen of the ruinous gothic cottage,
which they had obtained for ridicu-
lousy low rent because it was ruinous.
"Ive borrowed of tho rector's wife
twice, and I'm ashamed to go there
again, and I've sold everything can
lay my hands on. But." glancing mp
at picture which hung in a hall be-
yond, there's the Velssquez still. A
Velasquez is always worth money.
Belle will scold about parting with it.
and Aunt Leah will mourn but We
can't live on air and dew, like the fai
ries. I'll take it down to Mr. Bruner.
the artist, this afternoon, and ask him
70 get us q purchaser. Poor people,
such as We are, can't afford to retain
old family relics"
And so, when Aunt Leah was indulg.
ing in her afternoon nap. and Belle,
the beauty of the family, was ironing
out the founces of her white muslin
dress for the morow's picnic, valiant
Saidee climbed on q chair, took the
unframed picture down tit was the head
Of some old Spanish grandee, With a
stiff pointed ruff and an evil leer in the
eyesl, wrapped 1t up in q Newspaper,
and crept across the meadows with ii
TO the village.
Mr.. Bruner was in his studio-a
grizzle-headed, blunt old gentleman, in
. belted linen blouse and . faded vel
vet cap. he nodded kindly at Saidee,
who bad once taken few lessons from
him, but when she displayed the can
vas he shook his head
"How much do you think It Is
worth ?" asked Saidee, wistfully.
"NothiDg r. said Mr.. Bruner.
"But," cried the girl, 'ft is n We.
Lasquezr
<sThat velasquez7'' said Mr.. Bruner,
contemptupusly. ''AIy dear, there isn't
. picture-deale in the country who
would give fifty cents for ii; It's a
naendacious imitation, and . wretchod
~nne at thati"
30 Saidee lied up the poor picture
aud went home again, shedding few
tears as she walked under the whisper
ing trees.
my last hope gonei she thought
~Dat I'll not tell Aunt Leah or Belle
Ghat Il i "a inposture. They have al
wsys taken sush innocent pride In ths
veIasuues."