The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1884-05-02
SELECT STORY
THE MEEK FAMILY.

w No. loz eCkONeF btIeeI III btaiOh
of lodgings.
Were the apartments dingy1 De.
cidedly so. The paper was of very
trying pattern--in two, drabs; the
carpet rather more trying in yellows
and browns, with this advantage, that
its pattern was almost worn threadbare
and pleasantly effaced. The window
drapery was of similar hue to the pa.
per, and muslin curtains, drawn par
tally across, had been reduced by dust
and smoke to the same subdued color.
There were one or two striking por-
traits (family ones, probably,) on the
walls, and a yet more striking fire.
stove ornament in the CRATE. forget
further details. -r r..u
The landlady was elderly and limp,
with sort of washed out and plaintiff
aspect and a tendency to sigh and fold
her hands. She was very attentive,
however, and anxious to show her
"6rst floor" to the best advantage.
"The curtains will wash, said /,
looking around.
"Dear, yes, sir, surely! We was
lettin' EN- hang to save the others,
which the sun fades 'em so, being the
worst of stuffs and such like. Like all
earthly things, as fade mostly, don't
they sir7" ..
The landlady sighed gently and
folded her hands again. She wore
black worsted mittens.
81 hope" said, in my polite way,
"you dent mind my naming it--but
of course-you-.ahem-the-bed--is
free, you know-from-from any little
annoyances -
had my experieuce-precedine
those three years of paradise and Mrs
Chick, and was nervous, partly from
dread of the indignation had before
aroused in the housekeeping breast b,
the above delicate question and partly
from the recollection of results that haG
followed on the assurance of land
ladies of another class that theii
knowledge of natural history did no
extend to the species alluded to, an(
that they were at fault to comprehend
my meaning.
Mrs. Maudle Chat was her name
adopted neither of these extremes sh
only shook her head pensively ant
said:
"To my knowledge there amt liv
ing flea in the house y Il didn't meal
fleas, though, "but you know, sir, w
live in vale of tears, and in cours
there will be such trials for all a
times. If I am so tired, l hope to bea
| it meekly." .........
And I think Mrs. Maudle shed
tear. .r.
81 am very glad to hear it, said
cheerfully snow about terms, if l al
range to come ..., .... ........
ooh, don't speak of terms, sir; Ii
sure what you've been in the habit G
paying will suit us, or less, maybe, a
it's more for the keepin' of the room
aired, bein' as the house is too big fc
us, and the protection of havin' ger
like yourself under our roof, Maud
bein' low in the nerves of late yeal
and myself haven't that sperret g
some have, which I'm sure, sir, an,
thing we can do to make you comfor
able and feel at home, as there's n
place like it"
"Ah thank you-thank you .a.
The light--when the windows wer
cleaned-would suit my work, the e'
chequer was somewhat low, time VIZ
an object, and, taking all in all,
closed with my obliging landlady
terms, which gave her much pensiv
satisfaction.
"And if you'll be pleased to nan
your wishes, sir, in all respects sai
Mrs. Maudle with faint sigh in col
clusion, 1--WE hope to do our humb
best to meet en-"
"You are very good" said ]
don't think you'll find me exacting;
confess to few weaknesses. l di
like damp salt and smoky potatoes.
object to hot dinner on cold plat
and I'm partial to clean linen. That
about all, l think"
Mrs. Maudle readily acquiesced
these modest requirements, observir
that Ga hangel couldn't want less" an
thereupon we parted. ... ...
In due time myself aud my few b
longings were conveyed in cab to /:
Peckover street, l had dined, and b
yond cup of coffee, wanted nothin
Mrs. Maudle brought me the coff
herself
"I'm sure, sir. hope its as you like
said she, meekly; "but, if not, you
kindly name it, and Sophonisba Ar
will bring you your water at any ho
you'll mention IN the mornin, si
Sophonisba Ann mostly waits {
dodgers, sir Chats my daughter), al
I'm sure always willin', though tn
timid and soft-hearted-but ther,
don't mind me, sayin', as a mothe
perhaps more than | had ought +
spetin' my own
l said / was much obliged to h
and her daughter for their kind inte
tions and wished her good night 81
sighed audibly and held the door ha
die for another minute, then, with |
air of resignation, retired.
Morning brought breakfast al
Sophonisba Ann. This young pers,
was, if possible, meeker and more
pressed than her parent. She carri,
her head little on one side, and sn
fed with every breath as if from chro
ic influenza, Her complexion W
pale, not to say pasty, and her hair a,
- eyebrows whitish-brown. Sophonis
AIMS figure was remarkable for &
preston where fullness might be G
pected and curious bulging tenden
wherever the opposite effect was usu'
Her attire was chiefly notable 1
hooks and eyes-with difference
opinion that materially hindered frien
ship, and refractory hair pins, which
found had way of dropping out in
all sorts of odd places. l found OF
one day, at the bottom of my jug
porter at dinner
This interesting young person &C
trived TO make surprising clstl
with the breakfast ware, upset CHI
and throw down pile of my boo
before making her exit. | attribut
. l..