Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1883-10-11

bother about pillow-ticksl It's the
youngest clerk-he's waiting just over
there in the porch, with his bag. Can
we accommodate him, do you think?"
Mother" said Barbara, ..what on
earth do YOU meanp'
Why" cried Mrs. Troop, with a
little, impatient gesture, '.don't you
remember old Mr.. Fanshawe, the book
keeper in Browne. Brownson &
Brownies telling us about the youngest
clerk there, who had the weak lungs
and the small salaryp And he said he'd
recommend him here, for his summer
vacation; and he hoped we'd take
him cheap and do what we could for
him."
"Ohr' said Barbara, arching her
pretty brow. "Yes, it seems to me
now that l do remember something
about it. But, mother, where can we
put him? Every room is full-even to
the two sloping-roofed chambers in the
garrett"
but poor young man." said Mrs.
Troop, in a distressed voice, "with
hereditary consumption and almost no
salary. Barbara, we never can turn
him away!'
mo, of course not" said Barbara,
rejecting. ''Mother, can manage it.
Don't fret any more. Tell him he may
come"
"And high time, too,'' said Mrs.
Troop, neryonsly, with him waiting
there on the porch, and wondering. no
doubt, what all this delay means"
She hustled out, with kindly hospital
ity in her eyes. There, in the purple twi-
light, apparently listening to the song
of the whip-poor-wills on the noun
tain-side, sat slender person, dressed
in cool, brown linen, with valise rest
ing on the floor beside him. How was
Mrs. Troop to know that he had heard
every word of the brief colloquy?
Madam" he said, lifting the straw
hat from his head, Il"
"Oh, yes, yes!'' said Mrs. Troop,
II know all about it. Your name is
Browne-with Browne, Brownson and
Browne. Mr.. Fanshawe told me all
about you. You are the youngest clerk
there"
MADAM, II
ut isn't necessary to explain" kind
ly interrupted Mrs. Troop. eve will
give you room and board for two dol
lars week. can't promise you the
dainties they have at the Chocoma Ho-
tel, but everything shall be clean and
wholesome. Mr.. Fanshawe told us that
your means were limited. Mr.. Fan
shave knew would be interested in
you, because had lost son of about
your age"
Indeed, Mrs. Troop, am very much
obliged to you, but"
Here comes my daughter Barbara, ="
said Mrs. Troop, evidently DESTROYS to
abbreviate the newcomers thanks.
Barbara, this is the youngest clerk.
His name, believe is Browne
Barbara let her soft blue eyes rest
upon his tired face for a second, with
the most angelic sympathy.
SIS your cough very bad this sum-
merp' she asked. "Oh, l hope the
mountains will do you good! How
long a vacation have you-two weeks?'
He smiled.
"You are very kind" he said. 1.-The
firm will allow me to be gone as long as
like"
"And your salary VIII go on just the
sameP'
'And my salary will continue just the
same.'
That is what call real generosity"
said Barbara. ''Oh, should like to
thank Messrs. Browne, Brownson e.
Browne. Well, come in. Our little
cottage is full of boarders, but nv
mother and l will contrive to make
room for you somewhere"
And the pale boardel slept that night
in little rOse-scented room, with a
strip of bright rag carpet on the floor,
hand-painted china vases on the wooden
mantle, and cheap muslin curtains at
the windows, after a supper of black
caps and milk, delicious homemade
bread, fresh honey and johnny-cake.
''Two dollars a week for such fare as
this, to say nothing of my cunning lit
tie corner room!' said Mr.. Browne to
himself. 81 never boarded so cheaply
before in all my life!''
AT the end of a week he was more
than delighted with his summer home.
Mrs. Troop was the kindest and most
motherly of hostesses; Barbara was
the impersonation of sweet and grac-
lous refinement. The mountain was
full of purple glens, merry-voiced cas-
cades, winding footpaths and breezy
heights. MIR. Browne enjoyed himselfin-
tensely. He believed that he had come
to the right place.
'Don't you think said Barbara TO
her mother, THAT he's very strong for
a consumptive!'
'It's that herb-tea, and the diet of
honey and new milk that is BUILDING
HIM up" said Mrs. Troop, triumphant.
ly. L never knew it to fail yet in lung
diseases. But he's very pleasant, Bar
by, isn't hep"
"Veryr' said Barbara, earnestly.
Mr.. Browne had not been month
at the little cottage on the noun
tain, when overtaken by a sud
den shower, he took refuge in an
old, unused barn, not far from the
house, where q thicket of blossominc
concealed the rude stone
basement, and veteran yellow pine
tree flung its banner of black-green
shade over the messy shingles of the
roof. Unused. except to stow sweet
hay in-and in one corner little cham
Der had been finished off, long ago.
with brick chimney and a tiny-pancd
lattice. The door was half open, and
Mr.. Browne could discern little cot
bed, draped with white; dimity-
covered toilet-stand. whose coarse,
cheap bowl and pitcher, were enriched
with purple-and-crimson autumn leaves
in hand painting. and little needle
work rug which lay at the foot of the
bed.
''Ah." said Mr.. Browne. to that best
Of contidants. himself, II comprehend
it all now. have displaced Made
Barbara from the little corner
room in the cottage. Upon my word.
| feel like usurper! But how good
they are, this mother and daughter,
whose only income is derived from this
precarious occupation of taking sum-
mer boarders! How unselfish, how
utterly self-sacrificingi There are good
Samaritans yet left in the world thank
heavenm
When September came with its yell
low leaves and its clusters of vivid
blue asters on the edges of the woods.
Mr.. Browne prepared to return to the
city.
''You are sure you are strong enough