The Democratic advocate., 1883-07-21
Select StOrp,
The Talk Of the NGiglbOrlOOd.

"Who went to the door ust nOw?' de-
manded young lady, entering the parlor
with a quick step and showing considerable
excitement of manner
II did," was answered by a girl of tif-
teen, with the air of one half conscious of
wrong.
"You did? SO | imagined What on
earth possesses you to run to the door every
time the bell rings, Emily? Servants ans
wer bells, not young ladies. Pray let us
have an end to this. Wen be the talk of
the whole neighborhood."
II can't see any particular harm In
opening the door for visitor" was ans
wered
"Harm? It's vulgar. People will think
we don't keep servants"
II can't see what business other people
have with the arrangement of our family,
said the younger sister, speaking more
resolutely Suppose we didn't keep any
servants? ? That would be our own af-
fair"
emily! the elder sister spoke imper-
atively, ''you must not 90 to the door when
the bell rings That's Ellen's place. She's
hired for the purpose. You'll be taken
for servant girl, Can't you under
stand ?"
Now, that argument had its influence.
To be taken for a servant girl Emily was
silenced
''I'm out of all patience with her." said
the elder sister, entering the room where
her father and mother were sitting, a few
moments afterwards She seemed partic-
ularly annoyed
''With whom, Kate p asked the moth
er.
"Why, with Emily. She will persist in
going to the door when the bell rings, just
as though we hadn't three servants in the
house"
The father, care-worn looking man,
who sat reading the morning paper, let the
sheet fall upon his knees, and turned his
eyes upon Emily. His brows contracted a
little, and with painful expression, while
his thin lips shut themselves closer. He
made no remark, however, though it was
plain that his sympathies were not with his
daughter Kate.
Il wish you'd speak to her about it, y
added the young lady, still addressing her
mother. ave shall be the talk of the
whole neighborhood.
If the ear and heart Of Kate Hamilton
had been open in the right direction, she
would have heard the sigh that came family
breathing through her fathers lips If
her eyes had been observant, she would
have seen the deeper shade that fell over
his countenance. His thoughts had gone
back over many years, to the time his wife
kept not even Il single servant, and when
she opened her own door to everyone who
Glanced to call-to a time when his heart,
free from oppressive cares and humlliating
embarrassments, beat rythmically in his
bosom, and his lips answered to his heart
in song. There was no fine rythm in his
from his lips.
II can't see any harm in it., replied
Mrs Hamilton. "If Emily chooses to
open the door, and thus save Ellen few
steps, why should it trouble you so serious
ly ?"
a level with servants; at least, not in the
face of the whole neighborhood,' retorted
Kate, with an air of conscious self-import-
ance.
Mr. Hamilton threw his newspaper on
the table, and rising, left the room without
a remark. While putting on his great coat
in the hall, preparatory to going forth on
the days dreaded business, Emily came out
of the parlor, and placing her hand upon
him in fond, familiar way, said "What
harm is there in going to the door when
the bell rings ?"
'None, dear, that can see, " replied Mr..
Hamilton.
''Kate thinks it dreadful"
'Does she ?"
eyes, and says if go to the door we'll
be the talk of the whole neighborhood. D"
'If the neighborhood finds nothing more
serious to talk about, Emily, no injury will
be done. But why are you SO anxious
about going to the door when the bell
rings?"
II am not anxious about it, father" re-
piled the girl "Just now [ went to the
door because happened to be IN the par
lor, while Ellen was up stairs. What
would have been the use of bringing her
all the way down when [ could step to the
door in moment p
'True enough" said Mr.. Hamilton.
'What would have been the use of it ?"
''Then," added Emily, cit takes long
time to get to the door when Ellen happens
to be at work up stairs, and the persons
who ring have to wait. | can't sit still In
the parlor, if | am there, until servant
comes. must go to the door. As to the
harm, I am too dull to see it. !"
"And I hope you'll always remain too
dull" answered her father. As he said
this the bell rang loudly. Someone had
given il vigorous jerk.
"Shall I open the door?" Emily was al
ready on tip-toe.
Certainly"
She came back with letter. Mr. Ham
ilton took it from her hand. and broke the