South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1883-04-27
ounty, West, Va, ApriI q, 1883. I
he r REWARD.

IN minute! sarcasUcaily fepe3s
ted the old lady. 'lt's ALWAYS in a
minute with you, Saidee! But / sup.
lpose, because l ann old and helpless.
my comfort is matter Of no conse-
quence whatever
Dear aunt Leah, you must never
think that, answered q bright, chez, Y
voice and SAidee Lynn came into
the room, with little tray, where was
arranged, on snowy napkin, some
tea biscuits, half dozen radishes,
Il few thin-cut shavings OF smoked
beef. and u little pot OF tea, with a
cup and saucer OF old CHINA that would
lhaye been Invaluable to- collector
'Yon see | had yoa in my mind all
the time, Aunt Leah she said mer-
rily. Il gathered tie radishes from
our own garden. Don't they look
nice?'
| Aunt Leah, withered, little, old
lady, in q dress OF worn black silk,
and sharp, gray eyes, peering through
gold-bound spectacles, tasted the tea,
and shook her head.
It's too weak said she. 1t isn't
fit to drink !!
Il put il all the tea there was in the
canister, Aunt Leah said Saidee,
with distressed countenance.
Aunt Leah pushed away the cup
with an expression OF di5taste.
* IS rs / might have expected,
said she. My niecos have too little
thought for my comfort TO study my
poor and few necessities. Never
mind the tea, can drink cold water,
dare say.
Saidec wrung her handaindespair
How could she tell this weak, fee
bic old lady, above whose declining
years hung the threatening DamocIes
sword of heart disease, OF tier nar.
rowing circUmstanccs--o the empty
GNchequer, the clanoring creditors,
the p:tifui straits to which they we're
| reduced?
what shall I dor size asked lcr-
self, as she went slowly back to tho
little kitchen oil the rninous Gothic
cottage, which they had obtained tor
q riGiculously low rent because it was
ru'nous. I've borrowed OF the rec
tors wife twice, and I'm ashamed to
go there agui,!, and I've sold every
thing can lag my hands on But,'
/ giancing up alta picture which hung
IL the hall beyond, there's the Volas
/ qnez still. a Velasqucz is always
WORTH money. Belle will scold =
bout rafting with it, and Aunt Leah
Will mourn bnt we can't live on air
and dew, like the fairies. I'll take il
down to MIR. Bruner, the artist, this
afternoon, and ask him to get Us Il
f. purchaser. Poor people, such as we
are, can't afford to retain old family
relics
And so, when Aunt Leah was in.
digging in her afternoon nap, and
Belle, the beauty of The family, was
ironing out the ilounces Of her white
muslin dress Tor the morrow's picnic
valiant Sgidee climbed on a chair,
took the Unframed picture down III
was the head OF souc OLD Spanish
grandee, with a stiff pointed ruff, and
evil lccr, in the cyes) wrapped it up,
and crept across the meadows with it
TO the village.
Mr.. Brunor was in his stndio-a
griz2led' beaded, blunt old gentleman,
in belted linen blouse and q faded
velvet cap.
lie nodded kindly Mt Saidee, who
had once taken few lessons from
him, but when she displayed the can
vas he shook his head.
How much do YOU think it is worth?
asked Saidee, wistfully.
Nothing said MIR. Bruncr
But cried the girl, it is Veas
quez =
That a VelasquczP said Mr.. Bru-
ncr, contemporary. my dear, there
isn't an picture dealer il the country
who would give Tic five dollars for il.
It's an imitation and Il wretched one
at that
So Saidee tied MP the poor picture,
and went home again, shedding few
tears rs SHE walked under the wills.
pering trees.
Mv last hope gomez she thought.
I 'IDAt Il a. not tcil A'lilL lean OF fIelt
that il is az imposture. They have
always taken snch innocent pride i'm
the Velasquez'
As she came past the old brick
house at the foot OF the Locust Lane.
n load OF furniture wa4 being carried
in, for it was the second week in
May.
| Wicker chairs, twincd With blue
ribbon, a cottage piano, cases OF books,
cugraviug7. bird cages, plants-all
sorts OF pretty things
Saidee paused and looked at them
not without interest.
i wonder who orr new ucighJor7
are TO be?' she thought.
just then out trot,cd n stout, cher
ry-cheeked old lady, with her cap al
on one side, and a worsted shaw tied
over her shoulders
oh = said she, fare you the Young
woman VINO disappointed rs yesterday
abont cleaningF'