Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-02-03
consolation and quite broke down as she

Usually TIE pelsOnS IOf HhOHi yOu Oubaiu |,
positions forget you at once in their ambi-
ton for something higher. The world is
living for itself but there is great conso- |
Iation in doing good for ones own sake. |
You must school yourself not TO be hurt by |
what people say"
Dr. Jeffreys was literary in bis tastes,
and an agreeable companion, but he had
one serious fault. He bought fine pictures
and books, and all the accessories of art,
because ne felt that mis- happiness depended
upon them, but he never paid for them.
He was most afabie with his creditors and
made fsir promises.
Christmas, 1880 One year of trial and
vexation had passed with little apparent
results for good. Christmas dinner was most
enjoyable even the minister, who was
prone to confne himself to milk toast, felt
unusually hungry after his Christmas dig.
course. Fer the first time in years Miss
Loveall had been obliged to give up Christ
mas service, that she might superintend
the dinner. Indeed she rarely was able TO
20 go to church on Sunday, by reason of the
boarders coming 80 late to breakfast; good
Christians, too, some Of them. As she
was greatly liked by the people in the
house, Notwithstanding they sometimes
grnmbled before her, and worse still, be-
fore the servants, about poor coffee and
tough steak, several presents were given
her De. Jetfreys gave valuable edition
Of one of his fa7orites, Robert Browning;
Denny and Howe handsome History of
she Drama!' p The former said: =" Poor
thing. she will never know anything about
the theater if we don't do q little mlssiona
~ work with her, and tie minister gave a
restful picture of Heaven"
Two weeks later man came to the house
in a great rage and asked for Jeffreys."
He said he'd pay fifteen dollars for set
of Browning the next day after Christ.
mas, and he's never been near US. Be-.
sides, we've heard that he never pays his
debts. I'd give him good beating if l
could see him. What hour does he come
to his meals ?"
Miss Loveall dreaded scene, and excus-
ing herself for a moment, she brought the
fifteen dollars, thus paying for her own
gift
In the evening the young people desired
little party. Miss Loveall of course con.
sensed. The result was that a dish of
iee-cream was upset on her best satin
sofa, besides some orange stains, left as
mementoes.
She had taken several young girls, and
| young man, at the pressing request of mis-
mother, who wrote that Owen was one OF
the best boys in the world, and she desired
him to be under Christian Influence. He
proved to be spoiled youth, who had de-
csived his mother, or the latter had not
told the truth. One night Miss Lovesll
heard q great turmoil above stairs. She
called the pastor, who was studying later
than usual. and both fastened up, only to
find that Owen, coming home drunk, had
staggered into the bedroom of Mr.. and
Mrs Ketcham. The former in his black
silk night.csp and white wooden drawers
was attempting to put the young man out,
bu. he, too drunk to appreciate the cir.
cumstauces, declared that he had come on
visit to Mrs. ketcham. That lady who
had removed her false teeth to tumbler,
and her wig to her bureau drawer, was in
no condition to receive visitors, but she
was giving Owen piece of her mind as
| the minister and Miss Melissa entered
MISS Loveall," she said, ave will
| leave your home tomorrow. We are not
in the habit of assoc;ating with drunkards.
| hate boarding house that does mission
airy work"
Miss Loveall could not in her heart Oh.
ject to their departure, but she smoothed
matters over as best she could. The next
landlady TO whom they went had taken the
precaution to have one sperture of each
gas burner closed, so that little light or
heat WAS possible. She had learned, per-
hsps from experience, that when gas is in
cluded In the price, boarders usually let it
burn all the evening when they are absent
at prayer meeting or theater. As rule,
those persons who are very penurious with
their own matters are prodigal with their
neighbors. Those who scold about lack of
variety in food, and often send back their
plate for tender steak, have Goldfish for a
regular diet when they keep house, and re-
serve beefsteak for company. Those who
must have clean towel every day where
linen Is supplied, often have only one a
week when they hire their washing done
by the piece. Those who rent furnished
houses think full sunlight in midsummer
does not fade carpets when they buy the
carpets they close the blinds with great
care.
DR.. Jafreys was getting embarrassed
about his board bill. He rarely had
patient in the dental chair, and when he
had, the necessities of She case compelled
such high charges that the victim never
came again. He had shown Miss Loveall
much attention of late. He praised the
quality of bread, the Deatness of the table,
and the taste displayed about the home.
de knew OF but one way to settle the bill,
and that was to form partnership with
Miss Melissa. He took his first opportu-
nlty to suggest this, as they walked home
from Friday evening prayer meeting
Very good meeting, but Mr.. Tompkins
is getting old for so live church as ours"
Do you think so?" was her reply. "He
seems very vigorous and young in heart
to me-
1t cannot be that she really likes the
parsop, thought he. If so, there is no time
to be lost.
IS have been thinking to-day what
real home your house has been to me, and
how companionable you are with your love
for books, and tastes so kindred 10 mine.
(Miss Melissa could not but remember the
fifteen dollar copy of Browning.). have
also been thinking how useful might be
to you in business matters. Il is difficult
for ladies to cope with the hard things of
the world. You have known me now for
two years, and might | venture TO hope
that you could be happy with me for many
years to cone ?"
There was o long silence. DR.. Jeffrsys
gently pressed the hand that took his arm
Miss Loveall did not like to wound his
feelings, so she said, 81 have remained
unmarried for so many years, that l should
not dare to change my lie now. A
younger person would suit you better. l
think Miss Felix admires our ability"
He could have replied that Miss Felix
had no money, but he said blandly, I" Dear
Miss Loveall, you are just the age for me-
| could not marry giddy girl of is.
l must have lady of mature thought |
and deeply Christian character; one of
whose mind and heart should be proud in
the church and in society. Don't decide
hastily, beg of you. Think it over for a
few weeks, and we will make it subject |
of prayer" Dr.. Jefreys did pray over it,