Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-07-14
UNCLE RUTHERFORD.

" and one Of ihen be Annie Laurie; ana
can't possibly afford to give more than
Eve guiueas
"II speak 20 Mr.. Malcolm, the propri.
etor said Mas Eson the girl behind the
counter, little bewildered by the loud
voice and overwhelming presence Il the
stout lady in She 5ealekin dOlman, and fash
ing diamond eAr-dFops, who stood opposite
her.
"But Pm ia 4 hurry" said Mrs Lang
ley, imperiously. Can't you show me some
music-boxes It seems TO me that You
must all b. very stupid here.
''Tu speak 70 Mr. Malcolm, ma am,
ssid Ella Bison, who was as accustomed,
mutely, to receive and endure insolence as
ls the Aunt Sally" of laWn-games 70 be
butfated and maltreated.
And M Malcolm came, all smiles, TO
minister TO the Whims of the rich custom
or. whose carriage flashed back the sun.
shine Al the door.
"Ma, ais's she pretty" whispered Miss
Amanda langley, an over-grOwn girl OF
fourteen, leaning her elbows on the show
case. % 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"
at is en- automaton, smiled Mr.. Nal.
colin, who had just reached down an ebony
music-box, inlzid with glistening mother
of-Deari ornament. Miss Eson, wind up
that bird. Let Miss Langley near. Yes,
ma am, " TO the elder lady, {" this instru-
ment has Annie Laurie in It's repertoire,
also"
And Ella Eson wound up the artificial
songster set u where Miss Amanda could
feast her ears and eyes on its beauty and
then tarned 20 show backgammon boards
TO new customer.
In second-or at least, 30 it would
seem-+heFe was a crash ! The bird-cage
was overturned, the brilliant-plumed
songsser orushed, and the solid sheet of
glass that formed the top of the show case
splintersd into a score of broken frag-
ments.
Mr. Malc0lm's very hair bristled with
surpriss and indignation, as he turned to
view the general ruin.
" Miss Bison, he exclaimed, wrsthfully,
" how did this happen? ?"
4" I SIN sure, cir, | do not know, said
poor Ella, vino was as much frightened az
ii the ceiling had fallen, " [ was show
ing this gentleman backgammon board"
"Do mos attempt to cover your faults by
falsehood, sterniy spoke the proprietor,
at eould only have been your careless
ness 3"
While Miss Amanda Langley, the actual
culprit, stood staring az the overthrow, and
lacked the moral courage to confess her
own guilt.
a. Ma woula be 20 cross if she had to pay
for the artificial bird, said Miss Amanda to
herself. land maybe she wouldn'5 buy
ne the music-box and, anyhow, | dare
say the shop- girl won't mind little scold-
"It you did not do it, Miss Elson, F."
said Mr.. Maoom, majestically, 'who did ,"
" I don't know, sir, " Ella answered, with
varying color, d" but it was not me.
'Don's contradict me, said the propri-
etor
y must speak the truth" said Ella,
pleadipgly. +" You asked me and"
''Taat viii do, sad Mr. Malcolm, wav.
ing mis- haa6 " am not accustomed to
handy words with my employees. Go TO
Miss M4son she will settle with you to
date, ! snail not require your services any
longer"
Mics Eigea turned and obeyed, although
4 blur scanned 70 come before her eyes, and
a deadly weighs oppressed the beating Of
her hear5.
every proper said Mira. Langley, sp-
provipgly. The young woman needs
discipline. She seems both obstinate and
stupid.
While Amanda, clinging to her mother's
side, still maintained resolute silence.
The late afternoon sunshine was just fad
ing out Of the little room under the roof OF
a shabby old house near the British Muse
UNI, where Mrs. Elson sat at work all sur.
rounded with roses.
Literally, not fguratively- for Mrs. Ell
son worked for dealer in artificial flow.
ers, and was making jscqueminot roses for
large order from Regent street MILL
ner.
She was pale little woman, who spent
her life in a wheel. chsir-she had long age
lost the use of her limbs-and on, the floor,
beside her, sat child of eight years old.
playing with the d9maged bits of red silk
discarded by her mothers quick fingers.
She looked up with an exclamation as the
door opened.
Mamma" che cried, "it's Ella"
Ella !" exclaimed Mrs Elson. Home
at this time of day! My dearest, what
has happened p
81 am discharged, mamma !" said Ella,
endesvoring to speak firmly. 81 have lost
my situation p
And then ainging herself on the floor at
her mothers side, che buried her face in
the poor cripples lap and burst out crying.
While all this was Transporting, something
more singular still had taken place at the
store whers the sutomston- bird had sun
its last csnsaba, and the music-box that
played Annie Laurie" was being carefully
packed up. Mrs Langley was just turn
ing to the door, when stout gentleman,
who had been sitting on red velvet stool,
near the entrance, rose up-a ponderous
individual, with fur Innings to his cost-col'
lar, and red silk pooket-handkerchief tied
round bis neck.
AHA p said the stout man with a nod.
Why, it's Uncle Bob !" said Amanda.
Oh, my brother p said Mrs. Langley.
''Why, Robert, when did you come in ~
I've been here this some time" said
Robert Rutherford; 1--we been waiting
for you TO get your purchases settled and
recognize me. Upon my word, Sister Ma.
tilda, you're a capital hand at driving a
bargain. I coaldn' have bought that music.
box to better advantage myself. Why,
the shopman didn't have the shadow of a
chance
Mrs Langley bit her lip, but she smiled.
Uncle rutherford was q person of too much
Importance not to be allowed to have his
own way, even in the matter OF making
disagreeable remarks.
but it wasn't quite the fair thing Of
you, Niece Amanda, went on this terrible
old gentleman, "to let that poor shop. girl
lose her place for your clumsiness, in tip.
ping that automaton bird over and break
ing the cover of the showcase, was it now
Answer me honestly ?"
Amanda Langley hung down her head.
"What? p cried Mrs. Langley.
81 saw it all, " said the old gentleman
81 know Macolm. I've lent him money tC
carry on this very business, and l shall
speak to him. Don't look so frightened,
Niece Amanda. You're not going to be
.rrn.AnS Orlu Iat Il he lesson To vnr