The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1884-11-21

80 Mrs. LODSdale wrote a patrOnll
ing letter to her husbands cousin, be
speaking the best room.
But when she got to Moon Mountail
there was only one little square roor
left. The fame of the Black Sprin,
had gone forth in all directions, and
newspaper editor had promulgated al
article praising the delicious pine-scent
ed air and well populated trout brook
of the mountain, and the consequence
was that the farm house was full,
'But this room is too small" sait
Mrs. Lonsdale fretfully as she looked
around.
cts all 1 have left" said Mrs. Dirk
"and l could have let it half a dozer
times over if it hadn't been reserved
for you, Cousin Naomi"
you'll take me at a reduction from
the usual prices, l supposeP" said Mrs
Lonsdale.
81 shall charge you just whatI charge
everybody else, neither more nor less
answered Mrs. Dirk. .-liC
'But I'm a relative, pleaded Mrs
Lonsdale. a-o
"What good does that do meP" said
the widow, fixing her blue eyes full or
Mrs. Lonsdale. "My terms for "a room
of this size are thirty shillings a week.
'But that is too much" whined Mrs.
Lonsdale.
'How much did you expect to payp''
asked Mrs. Dirk with a curious sparkle
in her eyes.
'In this wilderness here" said Mrs.
Lonsdale, 'twelve shillings would be-"
eff those are your ideas we never
shall come to TERMS" said Mrs. Dirk.
"But if you are really cramped for
my dear Mrs. Dirk" said the rich
mans wife, ''you have no idea of the
perpetual demands on us for money"
Il will take you for twenty-five shill-
ings, . Mrs Dirk completed her SEN
tenee as if the other had not spoken.
And the bargain was completed.
Mrs. Lonsdale had not been in the
house a week before she took her hus-
bands cousin severely to task.
THAT shorrid old mar in the faded
oil e-green suit has the best room in
the house" she said. 'The very best"
"Yes," said Mrs. Dirk, she is my
mothers uncle. He was always very
good to my poor husband"
"But I'm told he only pays half
pricep"
"That is my affair." said Mrs. Dirk.
7'But is it trueP" insisted Mrs. Ions
dale, SD
Eyes, it is true.,' confessed the widow.
''He is very old, and can't go up and
down stairs, so of course he must have
the first-floor room.'
''But he hasn't any property"
s"He owns Carragee Farm across the
mountains said Mrs. Dirk, ''but no
body will rent of him because the land
is so rocky, and the farm house was
burned down last fall when there were
so many fires in the woods. Beyond
that he has nothing"
Mrs. Lonsdale curled her lip.
"Such impudence," said she. "No-
body has any right to live to be 70years
of age without having laid up some lit
tie provision for. the future"
II was thinking" said Mrs. Dirk,
'sthat perhaps Cousin Mortimer Ions
dale wonld contribute a little something
to his support, as we are equally re-
"You may be very sure that he will
said Mrs. Lonsdale, with empha-
sis. ~.
very wen," said Mrs. Dirk calmly.
HE shall never want while l can help
The very next week, however, old
Mr.. Darrow was found dead in his arm
chair. And by will he had left every
hing he possessed to his grand-niece,
Mary Dirk!
II wish you Joy of Carragee Farm!'
,huckled Mrs. Lonsdale. "Of course
you have to pay taxes on it, so it will
absolutely be money out of pocket"
'It was all he had to give" said
Yrs. Dirk.
Meanwhile the family were prosper
ng. Sarah vas engaged to marry a
thrifty Young farmer of the neighbor-
lood. Helen was earning a good liv-
ng.
Lizzie was contemplating the setting
lp of a small milliner's shop on her own
ccount-and Rosie was in high favor
t Millingham place.
Even Mrs. Lonsdale admitted that
Ier grave French cook could not excel
he Syllabus, creams, delicate cakes
nd delicious buildings which these
Dung damsels compounded, with the
clip of new-laid eggs and country
ream.
Il am almost sorry our rooms are en-
aged at Saratoga" said the city lady,
L am getting rather to like Moon
fountain. And your table is decidedly .
God, Mary"
But just as she was packing her big {
runks for the removal to the Mecca of
lodern fashion, Mr.. Lonsdale came i
own. I
''Well,' said the lady airly, "what is I
he news, MortimerP' ,
bad news" said Mortimer in a j
oarse accent. ave are ruined! The ,
usiness has gone to wreck-the cashier {
as fled to Belgium-and we haven't a G
emit to call our own" >
Whereupon naturally enough, Mrs. t
onsdale went into Mysteries. c
When Mrs. Dirk came in, Naomi was G
idly loading her husband with re- c
Mortimer Lonsdale stood (
,aning against the mantel, with some r
ling glittering in his hand. Mrs. Dirk t
'ent up to him and took it away with a
emile authority. .