Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1883-08-11
Mr.. HALLS MISTAKE,

hoarJers, and the struggle she made to at
least come out even at the end of the
month gave her face pinched aud wor-
ricd expression which her blandest smile
could not wholly obiiteratc.
Her boardcrs were five in number and
were all gentlemen.
Mr.. Hall, an old bachelor of fifty, had
boarded with Miss Carson for six years,
though he threatened to leave on an aver
age of once week.
Mr.. wilkins. Mr.. Crane and Mr.. Stowe
were salcsmcn in a large dry-goodS house.
They occasionally presented their lanh-
lady with gloves, handkerchietS, or the
latest thing in neck-wear, in return lor
which kindness she darned their stockings
and replaced missing buttons.
Last, though by 10 means least, for he
was six feet tall, there was Mr.. Fay,
young lawyer who had taken room I'M
mediately under the mansar2 roof, and
who spent most Of his evenings reading
nouderous volumes that his landlady de-
clared made her head ache even to look at.
At first Miss Carson was inclined to
weave romauccs about Mr.. Fay. He was
so handsome, so quiet and reserved. was
lie somebody in disguise, or was he suffer-
inc from an unrcquited love? As months
passed on, however, and nothing startling
was heard concerning him, she ceased to
think much about him, merely regarding
him rs Il rather unsociable young man to-
tally wrapped mp in his studies.
Miss Carson made it Il point to always
show n ready sympathy with whatever in
terestcd her boardcrs.
IfMr. Stowe told her that the white
Stockings had beaten the Boston, or some
other thrilling item of news connected
with the National idiocy, she would e%-
claim: II am surprised" or "What a
pity." with an interest that was only
cqualed by her ignorance OF the great
American game.
One cold winter evening the landlady
did not appear, as was her usual custom,
behind the cof'co-urn at the dinner table.
cold girl sick?" asked Mr.. wilkins OF the
company in general.
"No," replied Mr.. Crane; "shc has
zone to the Twenty street depot to
meet little girl, her niece, who is COM
ing here to live"
ar she is going to take child to raise
that settles it with me- growlcd Mr.
Hall, in deep bass voice.
81 shall leave at the end of the month.
What is that in front of you, Stowe? A
meat pie OF course! Meat pic is al inven-
ton of clearinghouse keepers to save
scraps. Miss Carson says she never gives
us hash, but she either puts it between
crusts and calls it meat pie, or she adds
onions and calls it an "Irish stew !"
~sA rose by any other name would smell
rs sweet" observed Mr.. wilkins.
"To-mOrrow will be Sunday" contin-
ned Mr.. Hall, "and that means goldfish
balls for breakfast. VIII somebody tell
me the connection between Goldfish balls
and SUNDAY morning, that they should
appear regularly on that particular day.
Is there any creed that insists on goldfish
balls for Sunday breaNastY
Asno ono volunteered an answer to
this question Mr.. Hall finished his dinner
with the remark that he hoped soon 70
take his meals where he would be served
rs A gentleman ought to be, and not to be
fed like a tramp.
Miss CarsOn's boardcrs were rather sur
prised to find her niece 4 full-grown
younr lady instead of the little girl they
had expected to see. 1t would be diill-
cult matter 10 describe Flo Sheldon. She
was not beauty. Her nose was triiie
";iu-tiltcI" and her mouth n little too
large, though her teeth were white and
even: but her eyes were the glory of her
face. They were large, dark and bright;
they were shaded by long curling lashes;
tIlev were such alluring, provoking, be-
witcIing eyes.
81 have always mentioned Flo as my
little niece" said Miss Carson at the
breakfast table. 'I can scarcely realize
that this tall Young lady IL the little girl
in short dresses parted from five years
900. All, well! have changed great
deal IN that time myself"
"Not at all 4" said Mr.. Hall, with a sud-
den and most unaccouEtable attack of po-
litcnes;. 81 assure you you look as young
and as er-er-rosy as you did six years
ago. Time lras not put silver threads
among the gold, or er-er-trifled with
your appearance in any way" This was
true. Miss Carson's hair was drab, and
her complexion matched it. Time could
make 10 startling change in either.
\ gradual but very perceptible change
came over tie house after Flo's arrival.
she was a very industrious girl, and knew
how to employ her time. The curtains
were looped less primly, the parlors had
a more comfortable, home-like appearance,
willie delicate puddings, faiy pies and
delicious coffee showed her acquaintance
with the culinary art
"You are certainly the personifcation
of youth, health and happiness combined,
Miss FIo,' said Mr.. Fay, as he fonnd her
late one afternoon singing gsyly as she
was spreading the cloth for dinner. 'It
does one good merely TO look at you"
''Thank you; pray continue to look at