The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-04-05

ordered. She devoured the food ret be- fore her in a fzmished way, which seemed to imply long abstinence. l Att IT o'clock Mrs. Doc tied her head up in dirty cloth, which did duty for . nightcap, and came in to count the flock that had come in. Haply some indiyid- ual might sneak upstairs to that loaih- some apartment with it's straw mattresses, without paying the two-pence demanded.
 There's ten on yer wimmen tonight, and only nine on ye can sleep in the gals room. I'm not a-goin' to give a single apartment to none on yer tor tup- pence; 1 ain't so fond of maxim beds at my time of life. Flags, yer must take one on 'em along of you down stairs. Yer can pick and choose the honestest or the cleanest."
 A hoarse guffaw greeted this sally. Very small jokes produced merriment i here.
 1 Flags sat looking specula,ively into the fire. She had folded up her work some few minutes before. As Bell had assisted her in the task, q faint interes. had appeared 10 wake in her.
 Whats ,hem:" she said in an aside, pointing to little heap of bright-huee patches.
 Ma,eri, is. said Flags. proudly. lin mighty useful person. can tell yer. Why, my flags is floating all over the world. I'll bet.'
 Oh said Bell. 4; las, enlightened i, they're flags, are they, and you mend them -
 That's so, said Flags, neddins, and gathering needles. scissors, cottons, anu brass thimhles into her work-box This was very ornamental possession, and strangely incongruous with surroundings. flags never left this cherished pesses5lea out of sight. l, was made ot slnda : wood. with m inlaid border, and had not lost i,s sweet perfume even a tainted atmosphere. Flags huggcd t fondly to her heart as the mixed crew dispersed slowly to rest. The noise of mems boots climbing ;o an attic chamber at las, died away. In the room immediately over head from time to time a hoarse iaugn or naui;ered curse could be heard. The ceiling was cracked. and the boarding above but thin. Some of the women fell with dull thud on their mattresses.
 Flags had signed to Bell to remain but she did not speak. Mrs. Doc came in a, last, and raked out the ashes.
 :" Now, be of with yer Flags, and take the gal along O ye. Here'syer dip. Ye won't need ne to help yer tonight, as yer've got company
 Bell did no: seem aware tha; there was anything amiss with Flags, fer al this ad- uration she lood curiously towards the sofa. Perhaps she expected ,o see the needlewoman rise. But Ms. D5o having departed. leaving the dip n black bottle or the table Flags continued a stare into the embefs, huEgins her work be- to her bony breast. Naw si:h all Ire encunbering drapery ot standards folded up and pgi away. t Was ev.deni wha; t puny frame belonged to the large head and auburn tresses.
 Haze yer done a-s;arin' as ne: Is there anything so mighty percaliar abou, gal as has got no legs to speak on m pairyli lized, as they calls lt. They're pair of bad uns, they arc, my legs. Would yer Ike ter see 'em :r There was d glImmer of mockery in the eyes of Flags.
 :" I'm very sorry" began the giil Bell. with tremor in her voice.
 '' Go to Blazes. Sorry for what. I'm as good IS any other woman. lean earn my living, can earn my living, can. Here, give hand and help me along Op.n that door there: that's our cup board, which Mother Doc she calls room. I'm payin' lodger. am. as ha: been here Twin reg'l lar these seven years hope yer don't mind rats a-lookin' .t yer. and eockroaehes a-crawling over yer Don, yer sleep with yer mouth open"
 As Bell advanced, Flag had laid hold of stick from the corner, and with this prop. and Bells support. reached the little den allotted to them.
 S,x months have gone by since the refuge at the Lamb of Goshen. She is a lodger in residence there now, sharing the same apartment as Flags, ard paying for her board every Saturday night Flags, being a knowing young person. bargained for reduction of ren, for two. and with considerable difficulty and by aid of much strong language, obtained |.
 You are flat, Nell. You're one O the sort IS Is made to he took in. I'm as gcod as two ornary wimmen, legs or no legs. she said, with self-sa,istied smrk. on tic conclusion of her bargaining. Bells proceedings with Mrs. Doc were productive of her intense sco1n. Yet Flags was in the end induced to adm: that Bell was her equal in some ways. She had clear understanding of com fort and cleanliness, the latter of which by degrees the little needlewolnan len. her coun;en lrce To-
 Ingenious devices were adopted by the new lodger to abolish the cockroaches. and the inroads of rats were made ditiicul, by stepping up their holes. The miser- able room the pair called their own was. in the coarse of time. swep, and garnished with au approach to deeeney and order. \ small square oflook:ng giass was hung from the wall, and brush and comb found their way 10 shelf. Ever ! couple of pegs were knocked into the wall 10 suspend a hat and extra garments. Mrs. Doc sniffed disdaiafu ly when Beil invested m a scrubbing- and broom