The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1883-06-06
UNCLE RUTHERFORD.

ut must be musc-box that plays at
least seven tunes said Mrs. Langley,
land one Of them be Annie Laurie;
and can't possibly afford to give more
than five guineas."
"Tll speak TO Mr. Malcolm. the pro-
prletor, said Miss Elson the girl behind
| the counter little bewildered by the
loud voice and overwhelming presence
of the stout lady in the sealskin dolman.
and flashing diamond ear-drops, who
stood opposite her,
But I'm in hurry, said Mrs, Lang
lev, imperiously. Can't You show me
some music-boxes? 1t seems to me that
you must all be very stupid here"
IN speak TO Mr., Malcolm, ma am, "
said Ella Elson, who was rs accustomed,
mutely, to receive and endure insolence
as is the AUNT Sally of lawn-games
to be buffeted and maltreated
And Mr.. Malcolm came, all smiles,
10 minister to the whims of the rich Gus
toner, whose carriage flashed back the
sunshine at the door.
MA, amt she pretty?n whispered
Miss Amanda Langley, an Over-grown
girl of fourteen, leaning her elbows on
the showcase. Il say, ma, won't YOU
buy me new set of lawn tennis? Won't
you, ma? What's this? A canary, |
didn't know they kept birds here.
1T is an automaton." smiled Mr..
Malcolm, who had just reached down
IN ebony music-box, inlaid with glisten-
ING mother-of-pearl ornament. Miss
Elson. wind up that bird Let Miss
Langley hear. Yes, ma am to the
elder lady, this instrument has Annie
Laurie in its repertoire, also
And Ella Elson wound up the artific-
ial songster, set ii where Miss Amanda
could feast her ears and eyes on it,
beauty, and then turned to show
Backgammon boards to a new customer
In q second-or at least, so il would
seem-there was a crash, The bird
cage was overturned, the brilliant-plum-
ed songster crushed. and the solid sheet
OF glass that formed the top Of the show
case splintered into a score Of broken
fragments.
Mr.. Malcolm's very hair bristled with
surprise and indignation, as he turned
to view the general ruin.
Miss Elson!" he exclaimed, wrath
fully, ''how did this happen?'
IL am sure, sir, do not know" said
poor Ella, who was as much frightened
as if the ceiling had fallen. " was show
ing this gentleman backgammon
board---n
'Do not attempt to cover your faults
by falsehood,' sternly spoke the pro-
prietor 1T could only have been your
carelessness!'
While Miss Amanda Langley, the ac-
tual culprit. stood staring at the over
throw, and lacked the moral courage to
confess her own guilt.
MA would be so cross if she had to
pay for the artificial bird" said Miss
Amanda to herself. And maybe she
wouldn't buy me the music-box; and,
anyhow, | dare say the shop-girl won't
mind little scolding."
If YOU did not DO it, Miss Elson. y
said Mr.. Malcolm, majestically, who
did?n
II don't know, sir" Ella answered,
with varying color, but il was not
/ me.
Don't contradict me" said the pro-
! prietor.
II must speak the truth, =" said Ella,
pleadingly. You asked me, and
That will do said Mr., Malcolm,
waving his hand Il am not accustom-
ed to handy words with my employees.
GO TO Miss Mason. she will settle with
you TO date. | shall not require your
services any longer"
Miss Elson turned aud obeyed, al
though blur seemed to come before
her eyes, and deadly weight oppressed
the beating Of her heart.
VERY proper v said Mrs Langley, APP
proyingly. The young woman needs
discipline. She seems both obstinate
and stupid"
While Amanda, clinging to her moth
er's side, still maintained a resolute
silence
The late afternoon sunshine was Just
fading out Of the little room under the
roof Of a shabby old house near the Brit
ish Museum, where Mrs Elson sat ut
work all surrounded with roses.
Literally, not fguratively-for Mrs.
Elson worked for a dealer in artificial
flowers, and was making jacqueminot
roses for large order from Regent
Street Milliner.
She was pale little woman. who
spent her life in a wheel-chair- had
long ago lost the use Of her limbs and
on the floor, beside her, sat child OF
eight years old, playing with the dam.
aged bits Of red silk discarded by heI
mothers quick fingers
She looked up withan exclamation as
the door opened
Mamma" she cried, "it's Ella"
Ella exclaimed Mrs. Elson.
Home at this time Of dayP My dear.
est, what has happenedpn
81 am discharged mammal" said Ella
endeavoring TO speak firmly. II hay,
lost my stuation!n
And then hinging herself on the loo,
at her mothers side, she buried her face
in the poor cripple's lap, and burst GU,
crying,
While all this was TRANSMITTING soma