River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1885-02-05
THE MEEK FAMILY.

merit the spite of fortune, which led
me to No. l32 Peckover street in search
Of lodgings.
Were the apartments dingy? De
cidedly so. The paper was of very
irving pattern-in two drabs; the car
pet rather more trying in yellows and
browns, with this advantage, that It's
pattern was almost Worn threadbare and
pleasantly effaced. The yellow drapery
vas 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 por-
traits family ones probably on the
walls, and a yet more striking fre-stove
ornament in the CRATE. forget further
details.
The landlady was elderly and limp.
with a SORT of washed-out and plaintive
aspect, and 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 /,
looking around.
Dear, yes, sir, surely We was
lettin' ON hang to save the others,
which The sun fades 'em so, being the
worst % stuffs and such like. Like all
earthly things, as fades mostly, don't
they Sin ?"
The landIady sighed gently and fold
ell her hands again. She wore black
worsted mittens.
Il hope" said, in my polite way,
you don't mind my naming it-but, Of
CORRESPONDENCE -the-the beds
free, You now-from-from any little
announces pr
had had my experience-preceding
those three years of paradise and Mrs.
Chick, and | was nervous, partly from
dread of the indignation 1 had before
aroused in the housekeeping breast by
NbC pbUNC AN0libltlE tiAGSllOl4 hl4Nl l'tI
~ from the recollection of results that
had followed on the assurance OF land
ladies of another class that their knowl-
edge of natural history did not extend
to the species alluded to, and that they
were at fault to comprehend my mean
ing
Mrs Maudle THAT was her name)
adopted neither of these extremes; she
only shook her head pensivelv and said
ITO my knowledge there amt liv-
ing flea in this house," q didn't mean
feas, thought 'but YOU know, sir, we
live in vale Of tears, and in course
there will b., such trials for all at times.
If am so tried, hope to bear it meek
w."
And I think Mrs. Maudle shed a tear,
q am very glad to hear it," said
eheerfullv, nov about terms, if ! ar
range to come"
oh, don't speak of terms, sir; I'm
sure what you've been in the habit OF
paving will suit Us, CT less, maybe, as
it's more for the keepin' of the rooms
aired, bein' as the house is too big tor
MS. and the protection of havin' a gent
like Yourself, under our roof, Maudle
bein low in his nerves of late years and
myself hav MT that sperrit as some
have, which, I'm sure, sir, anything we
can do to make you comfortable and
and feel at home, as there's no place
like it"
"Ah! thank you-thank you"
The light-when the windows were
h.
cheGuer was somewhat low. time was al
object, and, taking all in all, I closed
with nv obIiging landlady's terms
whish gave her much pensive satisfac-
t;o3.
And if you'll be pleased to name
vo.tr wishes, sir, in all respects, said
NJ Maudle with faint sigh in con
rlu,ipn, I've hope to do our humble
best 70 meet EN-"
You're very good, said l.; 81 dom
think you'll find me eXacting; | confess
10 a few Weaknesses. / dislike damn
sat and smoky potatoes. / object to :
hot dinner on a cold plate. and I'm par
tial 10 clean linen. That's about all
I think"
Mrs. Maudle readily acquiesced il
these modest requirements, observing
that "a hangel couldn't want less, snC
thereupon we parted.
In due time myself and my few belong
ings were conveyed in a cab to 49,
Peckover street. / had dined, and be
yond cup of coffee wanted nothing.
Mrs. Maudle brought me the coffee her
self.
I'm sure, sir, hope it's as you like,
said she, meekly 'but, If not you'll
kindly name it. And Sophonisba Ann
will bring You your water at any houl
yon1I mention in the mornin', sir. So
phouisha Ann mostly waits on Lodgers
sin chats my daughter), and I'm sure
always willin, though that timid and
soft-hearted- but there! don't mind me
sayin', as mother. perhaps more than
| ought reSpectin' my own
said ] was much obliged to her and
her daughter for their kind intentions
and wished her good night. She sighed
audibIv, and held the door handle foi
another minute. then, with an air Of
resignation, retired.
Morning brought breakfast and So
pholnsba Ann This young person was
if possible. meeker and more depressed
than her parent. She carried her head
a little on one side and shifted with every
breath rs if from chronic influenza.
Her complexion was pale, not to say
pasty. and her hair and eyebrows Whitley
brown. Sophonisba AIMS figure was
remarkable for depression where full
ness might be expected and a curious
bullying tendency wherever the opposite
effect was usual. Her attire was chiefly
notable for hooks and eyes-with diff
ference Of opinion that materially hin.
siered friendship, and refractory hair
pins, which ] found had a way of drop
ping ont into all sorts of odd places.
| found one, one day, at the bottom ci
my jug of porter. at dinner
This interesting young person con
trivcd to make surprising clatter with
the break fast ware, upset chair an
threw down a pile of my books befor
making her exit. | attributed this t,
the timidity which her mother had as
sured me was cOunterbalanc iced by So
many virtues, and could not in reason,
complain: but when. in removing the
breakfast things, the same pile of books
underwent precisely the same fate. and
gave me such start that l nearly cut
off a finger in mending a pen, could
not help saving, rather brusquely, For
heavens sake, my good girl, he
careful what you do next, which pro
duced quite an attack of shifting and 6
bastv retreat ~, the mart of the unlucky