Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1882-07-27
The Storp Teller.
HOUSE-CLEANING.

eyes, Aunt Leah am coming III hill
ute.''
ssIn minute,'' sarcastically repeated the
old lady. sits always in minute with you,
Saidee But suppose, because am old and
helpless, my comfort is matter OF no conse-
Quence whatever"
ssDear Aunt Leah, you must never think
that ~ answered bright CHEEKY voice and
Saidee Lynn came into the room, with little
tray. where was arranged, on a snowy napkin,
some tea-biscuits, half dozen pink radishes,
a few thin-cut shavings of smoked beef, and a
little pot of tea, with cup and saucer OF old
blue china which would have been invaluable
to collector. s'You see l had you in my
mind all the time, Aunt Leah" she said, mer-
rily. Il gathered the radishes from our own
garden. Don't they look nice ?"
Aunt Leah, withered, little, old lady, a
dress of black worn silk, and sharp eyes, peer.
ing through gold bound spectacles, tasted OF
the tea and shook her head.
"It's too.weak, " said she. sit isn't hit to
drink ~
II put in all the tea there was in the CAMS
ter, Aunt Leah" said Saidee, with distress
ed countenance.
Aunt Leah pushed away the cup, with an
expression of distaste.
ssIt is as might have expected" said she.
my nieces have too little thought for my
comfort to study my poor and few necessities.
Never mind the tea l 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
Damocles sword of heart disease, of their mar
rowing circumstances, Of empty exchequer.
the clamoring creditors, the pitiful straits to
which they were reduced
"What shall 1 do % she asked herself, as
she went slowly back to the little kitchen OF
the ruinous Gothic cottage which they had OBJ
tanned for ridiculously low rent because ii
was ruinous. 'I've borrowed of the rector's
wife twice, and I'm ashamed to 60 there
again, and I've sold everything can lay my
hands on But" glancing up at picture
Velasquez still. A Veasquez 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 fairies I'll take
it down to Mr. Bruner, the artist, this after
noon, and ask him to get US a purchaser;
Poor people, such as we are, 1T afford to re-
tain old families" And So when Aunt Leaf
was indulging in her afternoon nap, and Belle
the beauty of the family, was ironing out the
founces of her white muslin dress for the NOR
rows picnic, valiant Saidee climbedOn chair
took the unframed picture down lit was the
head of some old Spanish grandee, with stiff
pointed ruff, and an evil leer in the eyes,
wrapped it up in newspaper and crept acros:
the meadows with it to the village.
Mr. Bruner was in his studio-a grizzle
headed blunt old gentleman, in belted liner
blouse and faded velvet cap. He nodded
lessons from him but when she displayed th'
canvas he shook his head.
elbow much do you think it is worth p
asked Saidee wistfully.
''Nothing ~ said Mr.. Bruner.
'sBut," cried the girl, ''it is Velasquez y
s'That Velasquez ?'' said Mr.. BrIner, con
temptuously. "My dear, there isn't a picture
dealer in the country who would give fift.
cents for it. It's mendacious imitation, ant
wretched one at that ~
So Saidee tied up the poor picture, and Wen
home again, shedding a few tears as she walk
ed under the whispering trees. w
''My last hope gone ~ she thought. ''Bu
I'll not tell Aunt Leah or Belle that it is al
imposture. They have always taken such in
nocent pride in the Velasquez."
AS she came past the old brick house at tn
foot of the Locust Lane load of furnitur
was being carried in, for it was the secon'
week in May. Wicker chairs, twined wit
blue ribbon, a cottage piano, cases OF books
engravings, bird cages, pants-all sorts 0
pretty things.
Saidee paused and looked at them, not with
out interest.
Il wonder who our new neighbors are t
be ~ she thought.
Just then out trotted stout cherry-cheek
ed old lady, with her cap all on one side, and
worsted shawl tied over her shoulders.
''Oh - said she Sare you the young VIC
man who disappointed us yesterday abou
cleaning ?"
s'No," said Saidee, crimsoning to her ten
pies.
,'Oh, dear oh, dear ~ said the old lady
swhat is to become of us All the furnitul
coming in and my daughter lame from fallin
off step-ladder, and the girl gone, and-But,
with All eager look, perhaps you can recon
mend some one to help us settle 20
II am sorry to say that cannot" answere
Saidee, and she vanished beyond the lila,
hedge, rather amused at the mistake the ol
lady had made.
Belle was full of news that evening.
''Oh, Saidee,'' she cried, "such a nice fam
ly is moving into the Locust House!n
eyes, said Saidee; 81 saw the furntu
carts at the door as l came back from the vi
lage this afternoon
'sOh, the village ~ cried Belle, tossing HI
blonde head 'Its strange, Saidee, how mut
time you get to rui. about and enjoy yoursel
while l am drudging at home. But there's
young gentleman there-the handsomest ma
Alice Aiken says, that she ever saw--and M
Pyle knows him, and he is to be at the plcn