Daily Republican., 1884-05-16
Tenants on Vioe|and Street,
BY BERTHA BERTON.

BY BERTHA BERTON.
"Our tenement on Vineland street is
vacant" said Mrs. Alcott to her son
one morning. "Just stop at the
Herald office on your way downtown,
for we must advertise at once. March
has almost gone, and IL IL about time
for people 10 be house hunting. We
cannot afford to have 1t standing empty
you know )" and Mrs. Alcott looked
across the table at Fred, her ouly son,
who was expected by his fond mother
to attend promptly to such little mat
ters of business.
Fred Alcott, although young, was
most efficient, and his widowed mother,
W ho was an invalid, had little care or
responsibility resting upon her.
The Alcotts were not rich, but they
owned some real estate, and the rent
ing Of their tonements was really quite
an impoI can't item of business.
IL was a tastelully appointed break
fast room where they eat, and the table,
with its snowy damask cloth and nap
aims, its frosted glass aud silver, com.
hined with the delicious aroma OF Old
Mocha, the golden mullins, the dainty
omelet, with other requisites, was a
most inviting feature.
Mrs. AlCott, \ matron OF forty-fve,
was still very conely woman and
Fred, who was a handsome young fel-
How, WAS exceedingly proud OF his
mothers good looks.
Several letters beside the young man. a
plate had been looked over, and he w2s
mentally devouring the morning paper
as be sipped his coffee from an artistic
ally decorated cup.
"Yes, mother, " he replied, "but
wait; here is letter from Cousin Tom.
His father is dead, and he Is anxious to
find room, for his step mother and her
daughter. A model step-son is cousin
Tom, 60 be sure. He is going back tC
college, and he wants to 500 them com
tortably settled before his return. Why
not let them have the tenement, II il
should prove satisfactory? What do you
say, mother? Shall | write Tom, OF
insert notice in the Herald?"
| And Mrs. Alcott decided in favor OF
Fred's cousin. SO, that very morning
while seated at his desk, Fred Alcot'
dashed off little note to Tom Irwin
whose father had owned a cottage IN a
country town.
Mr.. Irwin had died suddenly, aud II
was found that there was little money
left for Tom, the only son; little for the
widowed step-mother, who, having a
daughter by a previous marriage, felt
the imperative necessity OF finding
employment, n thing which was an i'm
possibility 10 small country place; bu'
10 the city she hoped to find work fol
hereelf and her daughter.
when Hom Irwin received Fred AL
colts note which placed 1T their disNo
sal the vacant tenement on NinelapC
street, he was delighted. No trouble o
house hunting, task that most mer
detest and avoid, if possible, and from
Fred description OF the tenement, ht
felt certain, hat it was Of all places thu
one for his step-mOther and sister, as III
loalled Myrtle Leslie.
AS soon as the necessary arrange
ments could be made, the lrwins ren seC
ltheir small country houe and moved IL
the city, and into the tenement OF tn,
IAlcotts, on Nineland street.
Tom came first and superintendent thu
Iuppackina of the household goods anC
lstores, the putting down of carpets, ant
the work that was too labortous fo
women then came Mrs. Irwin and he
daughter. The mOther-a sad-facet
woman, clad in weeds Of mourning
the daughter-a slight, delicate girl
with face pure in its expression
and lit up with large hazel eyes; he
Inut-brown hair was cOiled in n grea
shimueriug mass at the back OF he
head. She was not beautiful, accord
ling to tho general acceptation of TIN
word, still, tl.a thoughtful face that OK
pressed decision and purpose was ONT
to awaken interest; and so though
Fred Alcott, when q few days ate
their arrival he called to see If the!
were com Portable for Tom had par
ticularly requested that he should d'
so, and at an open window, that wa
filed with beautiful towering plants
he Caught glimpse OF fair youni
face.
A moment later, in response to th'
bell, tho door was opened by the owne
Of that self.same face.
1t was rather early for . morning
call, but Myrtle Leslie was neatly
ldressed in tastily made cambria snit
Her hair was not In papers, bu'
arranged in becoming fashion, while
"a few dainty little ringl hung
caressingly about her low white fore
head.
Self-possessed and graceful, too, she
seemed, II she was country bred, ana
Fred Alcot did not wonder that his
|cousin took an interest In the welfare
of his sister. :,
| Pshaw! she was not really Tom I
sister, and who knew but that he loved
her wnh more than u brotherly atfec
ton. and without being able to give .
ldetIli,e reason therefor, Fred Alcot WaH
not sorry that cousin Tom was Mt
col eg..
Mvrtle Leslie ushered Fred into the
sitting room where her mother was
busily employed with her nect'c,-a
sweet-voictd woman, with d gentle,
winning way, that gave the reason OF
Toms devotion to his step-mother.
Mother" said Fred Aicott, on his
return fron Ninela,id street, don
You think fifteen dollars is Father hlgh
for that tenement? There are only five
small rooms
"Aren't they satisfed'
! Ms. Alcott's reply took the form Q
a question as she looked at her hand
some son.
"They are delighted with the place
but really, they do not seem accustom
ed TO hard labor, and t|ro'H colieg
bills must take all theirsurp'ns change
From Mrs. Irwln's remarks, 1 inferre'
: that they expect to 1.-Two and pay thei
} rent by the proceeds of their needle
WORK .,
swell, call it twelve dollars" Mr.
J Alcott said, for she TOO, had kim
heart, and when rent-Gay came ronn
/ lFred A!cott surprised the new tenant
most agrecahly, by ratnrning tire
dollars, with tile very iucih oxplah'
l,iun that rents were CCm'ug uDwh
r al, "a IAnDntt