Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-10-11

/ don't know what ! had done to merit the
spite Of fortune which led me to No. 132 Peck
over street In search of lodgings.
Were the apartments dingyf Decidedly 30.
The paper was Of very trying pattern-in two
| drabs; the carpet rather more trying In yellows
| and browns. with this advantage, that its pat
| tern was almost worn threadbare and pleasantly
efraced. The window drapery was of similar
hue to the paper and muslin curtains, drawn
partially across. had become reduced BY dust
| and smoke to the same subdued color.
There were one or two striking portraits (fam-
lily ones probably on the walls, and yet more
striking fre-stOve ornament i'm the CRATE / for
get further details.
The laDdady was eldeGly and limp, with a
sort of washed-out and plaintive aspect and a
tendency TO sigh and fold her hands. She was
very attentive, however, and anxious to show
her first floor to the best advantage.
The curtains will wash:" said 1, looking
around.
Dear, yes. sir, surely! We was lettin' 'em
hang to save the others, which the sun fades
EN- so. being the worst of stuffs and such like.
Like all earthly things, as fade mostly. don't
they sr?"
The landlady sighed gently and folded her
hands again. She wore black worsted mittens
~ nope, said, in my polite way, ''you don't
mind my naming it-but, OF course-your-
ahem-the-the beds free. you know-from-
from any little annoyancesg''-
had had my experience-preceding those
| three years OF paradise and Mrs. Chick and
was nervous partly from dread of the indigna-
| ton had before aroused in the housekeeping
breast by the above delicate question and partly
from the recollection OF results that had follow
! ed on the assurance of landlades of another
| class that their knowledge Of natural history
| did not extend to the species alluded to. and
| that they were at fault to comp rshend my
meaning.
| Mrs Maudle THAT was her nancy adopted
| neither of these extremes; she only shook her
| head pensiveiy and said:
ITO my knowledge there amt living flea in
| this house," q didn't mean feas. though) .but
| you know, sir, we live in vale of tears and In
course there will be such trials for all at times
| Ii am so tried, nope to bear it meekly."
And Thank Mrs. Maudle shed tear
Il am very glad to hear it. said cheerfully,
| now about terms, if arrange to come"
ION, don't speak OF terms, sir; L m sure what
! you've been in the habit of paying will
suit US. or less. maybe. as it's more for the
keepin' of the rooms aired bein' as the house is
| too big for us, and the protection of havin' a
| gent like yourself, under our roof Mauile bein'
/ low in his nerves of late years and myself
| haven't that sperrft as some have which I'm
sure, sir anything we can do to make you COM
| Portable and feel at home, as there's no place
| like tt"
''Ahi thank yOu-thank YOU"
The iight-when the windows were cleaned
would suit my work. the exchequer was some
what low. time was an object and taking al, in
| all. closed with my ohlIging iandladys terms,
which gave her much pensve satisfaction.
And if you'll be pleased to name your
wishes. sir, in all respects" said Mrs Maude
| with faint sigh in conclusion, I'VE hope to do
our humble best to meet 'em."
You're very good" said T. Il don't think
you'll find me eXacting; / confessto few weak
nesses. | dislike damp salt and smoky pota-
toes. | object to hot dinner on a cold plate,
and m partial to clean linen. That's about all,
think"
Mrs. Maudle readily acquiesced in these mod
est requirements, observing that "a hangel
couldn't want less" and thereupon we parted
In due time myself and my few belongings
We're conveyed in a cab to 132 Peckover street
had dined. and beyond cup Of coffee. wanted
nothing. Mrs. Maudle brought me the coffee
herself
I'm sure, sir, / hope it's as you like" said
she. meekly; but, if not. you'll kindly name it.
and Soph0nisba Ann will bring you your water
at any hour you'll mention i'm the mOrnin' sir
SOphonisba Ann mostly waits on dodgers sir
THAT my daughter), and I'm sure ALWAYS will
III. though that titnid and soft-hearted-but
there. don't mind NE. sayin as a mother.
perhaps more than / had ought respectin' my
own"
| said was much obliged to her and her
daughter for their kind Intentions. and wished
her good night. She sighed audibly and held
the door handle for another minute, then. with
an air of resignation, retired.
Morning brought breakfast and Sophonisha
Ann. This young person was. if possible
meeker and more depressed than her parent.
She carried her head little on one side and
shifted with every breath as If from chronic in
fuenza. Her complexion was pale not to say
pasty, and her hair and eyebrows whitey-brown.
Sophonisba ABns figure was remarkable for
depression where fnllness might be expected
and curious bullying tendency wherever the
opposite effect was usual. Her attire was chiefly
notable Tor hooks and eyes-with Il difference of
opinion that materially hindered friendship, and
refractory hair-pns, which found had a way of
dropping out into all sorts of odd places |
found one, one day, at the bottom of my Jug OF
porter, at dnneri
This interesting young person contrived to
make surprising clatter with the breakfast
ware, upset chair and threw down pile of
my books before making her exit attributed
this to the tiuIidity which her mother had as
sured1ne was coHnterbalanced by so many vir-
tues. and coI.ld not in reason complain; but
when in removing the breakfast things. the
same pie of books underwent precisely the
same fate, and gave ME such q start that |
nearly cut OF finger in mending pen. could
not help saying, rather brusquely For hea-
yenS sake. NY good girl be careful what Won
do next, which produced quite an attack of
smiling and hasty retreat on the part OF the
uniucky maiden.
little later in the day my landlady knocked
tiInidly at my door.
She came in folding her hands and looking
up at the ceiling
I'm sure. sir. you'll excuse it. though lib
erty, but as I'm mother, which it's nothing
after ALL and I've no call to worrit, I'm certain.
hut III my daughter sir. takn on so after
you spoke to her this rlOrnin and if yon'd be
so very kiud. seem as Sophonsba Ann is so
tender-hearted"
What is it abOuti" said. as the fearful
lady paused to take breath, Il don't under
stand"
ION! and / am sure you didn't mean for to
as much in that kitchen down below to me.
His way seemed HARSH she says, but his
hearts in the right place. she says; I'm GER
tain OF it,. she says, and she's been erwin
her eyes ont, which Sophonisba Ann is rather
'sterical at tunes. sir. and Pm a mother. with,
l hope, a mothers feelins; as you'll excuse:
but there. don't mind me. sir. tell her I'm
sure you don't mean nothing, and likely it won't
So occur again"
BLESS me?" said I, ''this Is very foolish: of
course didn't mean to hurt your daughters
feelings. maam; pray ten her so; III remember
to speak less abruptly since you've named it."
She almost wept at this.
'Oh, sir. you're the most feelin' gent as ever
L did, I'm sure, | don't know whatever nv
gurPil say-and the last gent we had so differ
I ent-so violent in his language; not to speak of
banging the door. o dear, what it is to have
/ sperTit, which is what me and mine never had
/ and so the world tramples on u.s., said Mrs
+ Maudle
| Il hope not" said l. s'You should take a
/ more cheerful view OF life Mrs Maudle"
was very busy and wished she would ro