The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1885-07-07
Srlert Stury.
AN UNPAID BILL.

..Thirteen and seven are twenty; and
nine-oh, dear mel wonder what that
noise is! 1t sounds just like some one
crying"
MISS Comfort Walker laid down the
pen wherew.h she vas industriously ad
ding up her household accounts and,
meiaphorically speaking. pricked up her
ears.
..lt is some one crying J" she said to
herself. "Oh dear. dear! !! what world
of tears and lribulstion this is"
Mics Walker had been pennilesa and
unprotected at the age OF 20, but she
was not one of the "drooping ivy" kind
that takes to needlework and tuhercles
on the lungs. So Miss Comfort went
boldly ahead, opened irst.class board
inc house and made moLey. This was
.he history OF the brisk little woman in
brown debsge dress and cherry ribbons
at her neck, who hustled down stairs to
see what could be the meaning OF the
vague. indefinite sobbing sound which
now became audible
.Oh, it's you, is itf" said Miss Com
fort Walker, as che perceived Ellen o.
Brien, the washerwoman, in the base
men, hall.
"Yes, it's me, worse. luck, Miss Com
tort" wbimpered poor Ell q.
"And what's the matter p
"It's me bill up stairs, Miss Comfort
the boarder in the second story front,
with the gay goold shirt studs an the
green an yellow stones in his sleeve but
tons! Nine dollars and siventy cents,
Mics Com 'ort-six weeks washing and
Iiron,ng-and aow, when ! makes hould
to az him would be be pleased TO pay
me, be tells me 1t isn't 0onvsnient! And
when I tells him how sore ! need tbs
1 money he up and gets mad, and says
shan't have it at all.
Mise Comfort stood listening will
Ikpisted trc VS. and troubled black eyes.
Have you got yosr bill with you
| Ellen p said she after = moments hesi
tation.
"J,mmy wrote it ont, all nate ant
proper" faltered Ellen, producing
crumpled slip of pale blue paper fron
her pocket.
| .tsjve il to me-" said Miss Comfor
walker, "and come here this evening q
. 8 o'clock and you shall have your mon
ey."
She vent slowly up stairs with the Iii
, tie piece of paper in her hand.
"I,'s q shauei" ssid Miss Comfort.
Leotard Carlyon was Miss Ccmior
Walkers best bosrder, with the slngl
exception that, up to the present momen
his twenty-five dollsrs week had bee
1sn fmfxro.
Now 1t chanced that one resson fC
her reposing 80 much confidence in NJ
!. Leotard Carlyon, the new boarder, wa
that he was the nephew and heir apps
rent Of Caleb Csrlyon. the rich banke
from whom she rented her brown ston
1house, at the triding consideration :
$4,000 per aLnum.
So she went bravely up to MIR. Carly
one room and tapped at the door.
"Come in.'' be called out. "Oh, it
3you. Miss W Walker. is it2"
Miss Comfort advanced valiantly Wit
the bin in her hand to where Leotar
Carlyon reciued isnguidly amid hea
LOT sofa pillows with q newspaper In b
hand.
"Don't you think you could settle th
} little account. Mr.. Carlyon ?" she aske
The poor woman needs it 30 vel
mucb."
Leotard Csrlyon's handsome bla,
/. brows darkened
s.She has been to you with her stor
has she ?" snarled he. mo, can't set,
! it, and wouldn't il I could"
. So Miss Comfort tied ON little bro'
velvet hat she had trimmed with scarf
poppies and brown autumn leaves 81
. set out braveiy for the Mount Orie
Bank.
IA The clerk stared at her little curio,
Il ly as she was shown into the Presiden
room at the back, where Mr.. Carly,
:. sat, strnig ight and upright, with blue ey
like q falcon and nair slightly sprinkl
Ia. a. with gray.
,er He elevated his brows at the sight
Miss Comfort Walker; snd she told
ID story of Ellen O'Brien and her wrcn
-, "May l ask, Miss Walker, why you
II. terest yourself SO markedly in this
N. fair ?" The banker asked with = CO