Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1884-03-19
PRETTY MRS. GRAHAM.
BY NJ. d. B.

l. AVAA 4 l. AAAVSs OAV1AAA3AAs
BY NJ D. B.
That is what I always call her, to this
day, and in spite of all that's come and
gone, it's her true title, for I do believe
she was the prettiest creature ever laid
eyes on.
And she dressed with such exquisite
taste, too, it set off her bright dark beau
ty SO well, and she was such dainty
child-like little thing-why, even Dick
couldn't help acknowledging her beauty,
though he didn't take to her, from the
first.
But I thought him wrong in that, much
as l trusted to his judgment, for you see,
Dick-woll, Dick Fraser aud my humble
sele, have been hetrothed for several ears
and next spring, after Bessie marries,
Why am going to London to keep house
with Dick.
But that isn't my story.
When our dear parents died they left
Bessie and me this fine old-fashioned
home, q good supply Of solid, old fash.
Toned furniture, and silver and household
linen, a good old-fashioned servant who
had lived with us since Bess was baby,
eighteen years ago, and very little ready
money.
So, as we could not give up our home,
or be parted, we looked about US for
two or three good old-fashioned board
ers who would stay with us all the year
round and be able to pay we'll for good
home.
Well, we found two, just what we
wanted, Miss Burton, an elderly maiden
lady, and Mrs. Wootton, a widow lady,
who was glad to escape from the dust
and noise Of the city, and who were
we'll able to pay US good prices for our
best rooms.
And this they did, only STIMULATING
that we should not take other board
ers, but all have quiet home to-.
gether.
So We we're just a houseful of women.
you see-not man on the place, un-
less we except Tom, the half grown
boy, who MIXED the COW, and tended
the garden, and drove our little carriage
for us.
We had plenty of applications from
summer boarders, but we never took
any until pretty Mrs. Graham came.
It was melting hot day when a car
riage brought her to our door, with q
lively black-eyed little maid, and she
begged 80 hard to be taken Just for a
month or two of the hottest weather,
saying we looked so cool anil delight.
full out there, and she dreaded the
hotel so much that it was hard to resist
her.
Miss Burton was in the parlor when
she called, and was so fascinated by the
little widows loneliness and Ilveliness
that she gave her consent to her coming
| at once.
So then we consulted Mrs. Wootton-
you remember our agreement with them
made it necessary and she, too, was
quite won over, and so the result wat
that We made pretty Mrs. Graham al
exception, and took her and her lively
little maid, Jeanette, into our charmed
household.
She took possession that very day,
coming down with three large trunks
from town. She professed herself de
lighted with our fine old home and plen
tiful country fare, and she certainly de
lighted us with her beauty, and her be
witching ways, and her lovely toilettes
and her wonderful music. For sh,
made the keys Of Bessie's piano almos
talk, and as Bessie herself was the only
player among us, and she but an indif
ferent one, such musician was o grea
treat. 49,, -
Dick came down to take tea on Sun
day, as he generally did, and then h
met our new boarder.
After supper I asked him if he di
not think her lovely.
eyes, she is p1etty-that can't b
denied, he said slowly.
"Wel1, what fault can you fnd?"
said, seeing he held something back.
"None, perhaps, but I don't lik
her, and I wish you hadn't taken he,
Mary. I believe she's a little adve1
turess, that's ALL"
"Why, Dick, her references were ur
exceptionable, and she is a member {
st. Johns Church, and teacher in th
Sunday school,"
els she2 Well I hope she's goo
i ONT" SAID Dick drily, and there the sui
/ iect dropped.
She had been with us about six week.
when one Saturday afternoon receive
from our business agents e300, the pre-
ceeds of the interest in coal mine b'
longing to Bessie and me.
Fl It was too late to take it to the ban]
where our cash was deposited, and
!! being half unwilling to keep SO muc
money two nights IN lonely house fu
of women felt strongly inclined to 6
+ over to the village, and deposit it thel
till Monday morning.
But on the second thought made q
my mind that was nonsense-the afte
noon was warm, I was busy, and tt
money would be safe enough in my ow
drawer.
So counted the notes, to be sui
they were right, locked them in lit
i jewel casket, and locked them in m
desk. As I opened the door of my roo
to 60 down stairs, I met Jeanette, WI
said she was going to knock. Mr.
Graham was going to walk over to Il
village could she do anything for m,
d I thanked her, said I would be glad
ii she would lcall at the posotfice, an
!, went my way to see about tea.
Fl The next morning we all went
}" church except our servant, Emma, wi
remained at home to have dinn'
ready.
In the afternoon Emma wished to {
out, and as I did not like the house
be quite alone, I remained at home m
self. Having a slight headache, I !,
down upon the sofa in the cool parl
and took quite nap. I sprang up
! soon a. I Weakened, and went up stat
!. to arrange my hair, meeting pretty MI
Graham coming down.