The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1882-09-27
SELECTED SKETCH.
COUSIN FALCONER.

NotiihB put NASTY puuoihg ana MIX
said libby, with u grimace "what will
mamma say?n
And Hannah Ann, the raw-boned, wood
en-visaged servitress, uttered the expressive
monosyllable, Humphln which is equiv
alent, in Yankeedom, to that famous French
shrug of the shoulders.
It's all very well to talk" said Hannah
Ann, "but dunno as can make quails on
toast an currant jelly outer sticks an stones.
I've done the best can, and nobody can't
10 no moren
:" Is the leg of pork all gone Hannah
Ann ?" said libby plaintively.
Every identickle particle ont |" Hannah
Ann answered. with the majesty of Druid
ical priestess.
And the chickens ?" meekly limited lib
by.
II killed the last one, Wednesday,"
Didn't old Hugh bring along any trout
yesterday ?" pursued libby sa
Yes" said Hannah Ann " he brought
'em along. But owed him two dollars and
fifty cents Already, and Hugh has family
to support. So l didn't fairly like to run up
anF longer account"
And you were quite right said libby,
with sigh. But, Hannah Ann, what arr
we to do"
"That's what I'd like to know myself
said Hannah Ann, curtly.
libby was SILENT drumming her pretty
pink-tipped fingers on the kitchen-table,
while her deep hazel eyes looked intently at
the old-fashioned, brass warming pan on the
opposite wall.
Hannah Ann" said she, piteously, at
length, couldn't you suggest something 7
Because. when / ask mamma what ia to be
done, she only cries. and says, Write to-
your rich Cousin Falconer. And have
written to him, and I only get back cheques
for ten dollars, with the coolest acknowl-
edgment of my letters, I'd rather starve
than live on such grudgingly doled-out
charity as that Don't you know of some
way, Hannah Ann, to make money!"
Hannah AIMS hard face softened, as an
icicle softans when the winter sun strikes it.
"AIiss Elizabeth, said she, it's a secret
Don't speak of it. But was clear driv' to
the wall, SO I've took boarderr
"a boarder, Hannah Ann ?"
"Out in the barn chamber" said Hannah
Ann. "You see, Miss Elizabeth" Hannah
Ann never condescended to the undignifed
pet-name with which her little mistress had
been invested since she was ten years old).
"this house used TO DO sort o. tavern in
the old days, afore the bow window was
added on, and the renaissancy porch put out
on the south corner. jerks Glen Half
way House, it used to be called when was
q gal. And there come gentleman as used
to hunt and fish on these ERE mountains,
twelve good years ago. Is this jerks Glen
House p says he Well, it's what they used
to call it, says l. Can get accommoda-
| tons here p says he. I'm afeard not, says
I. And then you should have seen his face
fall. / always boarded here, says he, and
can't make up my mind to go elsewhere.
I'll pay any price you please, my good
woman, and am not at all particular where
you put me- Well says I, If you don't
mind the barn-chamber-it's very clean and
quiet there, with the apple-tree boughs in
bloom, close to the window And says he,
Put me in the hen-coop, il you like So
I've been boarding him ever since; and the
week is up tomorrow, Miss Elizabeth, and
expect he'll pay me seven dollars"
Tbby's eyes sparkled.
" Hannah Ann," she cried, "you are a
female Napoleon. Yoa did right
81 know Of two other boarders I could
get" shrewdly added Hannah Ann
sketching young ladies, as don't like their
rooms at Coons' boarding house--if you
could make up your mind to spare the big
ront room and after all, you never use it,
except as guest-chamber for company as
never comes"
"Tll ask mamma" cried eagerly libby
because you know, Hannah Ann, we must
live."
Mrs. Wayne, limp, sentimental, elderly
lady, who spent her time in reading novels,
and benoaning the splsndors Of her vanish
ed girlhcod, began TO cry feebIy at the idea.
"Boarders ?" cried she. "Me: Captain
Frost Frozenham's daughter2 And has il
indeed come to that? Oh, II / had only
died ten years ago, and avoided the terrible
humiliation ~
"But mamma" pleaded libby, "yor
need have nothing to do with il. Hannah
Ann win attend to everything. And car
gather wild berries for the table, and see h
the linen, and get flowers for the dining
room. Hannah Ann says she had Is Lei
cook for ten as for two. And we NIGH
raise her wages then, and"
Don't torture me with such details,
sighed Mrs. Wayne, behind her pocket
handkerchief.
"But you don't positively forbid it, mans
ma ~ coaxed libby.
"I don't forbid anything" said Mrs
Wayne. my wishes are of no consequence
one way or the other"