The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1883-03-03
NEEDLE AND THREAD.


''An old bachelor?' said Honora May
wood
That's what he told me, just in so
many words" said Mrs. Pennypacker,
who stood on the threshold of her best
room, with her head tied up in a pocket
handkerchief, and hair-broom in her
hand, wherewith size gesticulated, after
a tragic fashion, as she talked, while
Miss haywood, who was tall and
slender as wild lily. stood in the hall,
with roll of ID usic under her arm and
her slight figure wrapped in a shabby
shawl, ssAnd he's willing to pay me cash
price every Sunday. Never attempted
to beat me down penny, If you'll be-
lieve it, my dear"
"Why should he?" said Honora
'Most people, do my dear, said Mrs.
Pennypacker. "a wrinkled old widow
like me, who has her living to earn, is
mostly fair game for every body. But
he never objected to my terms. A real
gentleman, my dear-every inch of
him. But he's little particular, I'm
afraid
'I suppose old bachelors are,' said
Miss haywood, smiling.
Pennybacker. 'sBut this gentleman is
.-beyond the average, think.
''And if he is?'
Nothing" said Mrs. Penny packer,
making dab with her broom handle at
a stray moth miller which was futtering
blindly against the garnet damask win
dow curtains; nothing, except one
don't know where to have him. He
drinks only English breakfast tea, and
he wants his pie crust made with the
best Alderney butter, instead of lard, as
good enough for other people; and he
must have ventilators to all his windows,
and an open CRATE instead of the base
burning stove. and-I hope you'll not be
offended, my dear-but he particularly
dislikes piano"
sDislikes a piano." said the little
music teacher, reddening in spite of her.
self.
Aud he says, says he: T hope, Mrs.
Pennypacker, that there is no piano in
the house. A piano, says he, plays the
deuce with my nervous system, with its
everlasting tum, tuml' These were his
words So I courtesies, and, says /,
You'll be troubled with one here, sir.
and SO, my dear, I'll be grateful if you
won't mind doin your practicin' until
he's out for his daily walk-from one to
three, just as regular as the clockl''
Miss haywood looked up pitiously in
the landlady's face
81 will do anything to oblige you,
Mrs. Pennypacker," she said earnestly.
81 have not forgotten how much / am
indebted to you both in actual money
and in kindness, which money can never
repay.
And her soft blue eyes filled with
tears as she spoke.
''My dear, don't say word" said
Dr1-~n 1,nn
been sick, and it's quite natural that you
should be low spirited now and then.
But you mustn't get discouraged. Things
will look up after awhile. And you are
quite welcome to stay until you are able
to settle up your little account"
Honora Haywood sighed as she
thought how often her little ADVERTISE
ment had been inserted in the daily
newspapers without attracting the least
notice from the world of patrons and
pupils. There were so many capable
teachers willing to give lessons at mod
crate prices" nowadays, and how was any
one to know how sorely she needed the
money?
And as time crept on and no pupils
came. Honora began to askssseriously
whether she go out in some menial capa-
city or stay genteely at home and
starve.
Clothes, ma'am."
Honora started from her reverie as the
washerwoman's stumpy girl banged her.
self, like q human battering ram, up
against the door, with preposterously
large basket on her arm.
Yes" said Honora, coloring. tPut
them down Sally. But I'm afraid
it isn't convenient to pay your mother
to-day"
Mother didn't say nothin' bout the
pay" said Sally, wiping her forehead
with whisk of her apron, smiling her.
self nearly off her feet. .I was to leave
the clothes with her 'umble dnty, and
she oped they'd suit; but il was that
damp on Monday and Tuesday as starch
wouldn't stick. And she 'opes you'll
excuse all mistakes, as they'll be done
better next time"
"I dare say they are quite right" said
Honora, with a little sigh, as she mar.
yelled at this unexpected access of
courtesy on the part of her Milesian
laundress.
But when Sally had stamped off down
stairs, her tapping slippers beating a
sort of tattoo IS she went, and Miss May
wood took off the fringed towel that Gov
cred the basket of clothes. she gave lit
tie start.
.sshirts, said Honora, and socks, and
turnover collars, No. 10, and great big
pockethandkerchiefs, like the sails of 8
ship, and white vests and goodness me
what does it all mean? Mrs. MuIvey has
sent me some gentleman's s. wardrobe by
mistake. I must send these things back
at once"
But then Miss Maywood looked down
ct the articles in grave consideration.
Il never had brother" mused Miss
Haywood, ssand ( can't remember my
father; but of this am Quite certain, i
] bud either one or the other, I should
thank girl to mend their dilapidated
wardrobes, il they looked like this. And