The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1882-12-07
MS, Bumps AND rHs sussLowrRs.

student, who was really IN need OF recu-
perating air, and relaxation from severe
mental labor, with myself, Helena
Warburton, plain, quiet spinster of
thirty-6ve. we're most delightfully."- Sit
mated in plain farm house. just where
this old, quaint and brown homestead
stood l shall not tell, so, kind reader,
locate it east, west, north or south, Just
as your fancy leads you.
Our hostess, a tall, spare woman full
of nervous force and vim, gave us the
best of clean and well-ventilated apart
ments. Three times daily we luxuriated
in homely country dainties. and Toasted
our eyes on old-fashioned blue china.
yellow mugs, and bright, rose wreathed
delft "cnps and sassers," as Mis- Bumpus
called them
October found us yet in our comforta-'
BILE quarters, with little excuse for tarry-
ing; the bright eyes, the red aud brown
in Walters cheek, and springing step,
would not permit that young gentleman
to claim the peSting and privileges that
belong to invalidism, but we were 10th
to leave.
Our landlady, Mis- Polly Bumpus,
"relict of Elnathan Bumpus, was
clone wilder, with no want of master,
rs she expressed it. Her guide man had
slept the sleep that knows no waking for
many years, an6 his "relict" lived out
her intention of ''arising at sun up, and
resiring a trifie after sunset, her own
mistress" To hear Mis- Polly boast of
her freedom and Independence, one
would imagine the late Elnathan had
been domestic tyrant; but after short
soiourn with her began to think Mis-
Bumpus was, and had ever been, the
ruling spirit.
She wore bright yellow cotton dress,
of home manufacture; her hair, almost
matching in color, was twisted tightly
upon the summit of her head. A cop
perss hued sunbonnet, made stiff with
pasteboard STATS shaded the thin, dark
face and snappy black eyes, from morn
until night, as Mis- Bumpus seldom re-
moved her sunbonnet, even when she
sat at the table with us.
We were very quiet, almost oppres
sively SO, as few visitors came to the
farmhouse, but I had, to wait upon
Walter and myself, q bright, intelli-
gent colored girl of fourteen, who
came certain days in the week. Clo-
rinda told me much of q fashionable
young lady that had spent the sum amer
near us.
ssOh. Miss Helena, she is Jess lovely!
All kivered with satins and jewels that
shine"
Clio always waxed eloquent when she
told me of Miss Lossings beauty, wealth
and style.
On the afternoon of perfect day
the air was soft and warm, but not ener-
vsting-Walter took his batch of papers
and letters, just received from home, out
to his favorite tree. while 1 seated my
self comfortably in great old-fashioned
armchair that surely must have been
the property of some ancient relative OF
Mis- Polly, as this bundle Of energy
could never have had any use for such
an encouragement of laziness.
/ had only to raise my eyes from "One
Summer" and see through the east win
dow q scene of peace rest and beauty.
Trees clothed in crimson, yellow and
brown, lovely little rivulets, and a
smali cascade dignifed by the name of
"Glen Falls"--a minute Niagara. The
soft tinkle of sheep and COW bells, lit
lie vav of. we're musical. l closed my
eyes, and recalled all the poetry and
prose I had ever read upon bells. A
( line of an old song rang through my
head:
sBeautifuI bells. oh, beautiful bells
~ Loud Ger tn vais Q, "A -cft O er the 80.
Oh. could but hsar you once mofeT
Through tie west window different
and busy scene presented itself. The
little city of Edgewood, with its hustle,
< Was not far of.
Clorinda came in with a bunch OF
white, yellow and pink chrysan-
thomums.
sWant 'em for your hair, Miss Helena!
They would look fDe, think"
The faithful creature looked disap-
pointed when babe her arrange them
= . china saucer, and place them near
"Oh, Miss Helena, you're SO plain
How Rhoda's young lady does keer for
lDoking nice. Rhode is proud to wait
& ION her
h Just then Miss Lossing's stylish
y rhnoton and handsome pony stopped be-
4 ~ Mis- Bumpus' front gate. 1t was
IN some uneasiness looked at my
3 49, plain, dark wrapper. Clorinds
np0nea me downstairs, where Miss
ID Is :s;nN waited in grand toilette, il Clos
.1-,eS& was to be credited.
SComeI Aunt Helena, your visitor
M nh nephew entered my room. and
r6iS~S1 DE his arm with great flourish
attention.
Kathleen has the esthetic- and
- craze in the most violent form
vii be quite 0verpowered."
- mot overpowered, but found IN