The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1885-08-18
Selfrf Spru.
DOWN HILL AND UP.

bing, still remained white and dimpledati
The knuckles, like q 5aby's.
"Oh, Grace!' said she, "why can't |
go. out and be q seamstress or some
tbing?"
And Louise, feeling the necessity Of
action OF some sort, could not hut re-
cognizs herself as being utterly useless
IN this emergency.
She had advertised for situation in
some school but no one had answered
the advertisement. She had registered
her name at pretentious "employment
agency" in the neighborhood, but as We,
no crop of ladies in need OF governesses
or children in. want of instruction in
F: ench, music and German had sprung
up. and now came the poin'-bIank ques-
ton.
"The pos.man !" said Grace suddenly
up "Run, Louise, quick, before
be knocks. Alfred mast be kept quiet
whatever hsppeus. What is it TIA letter
for Alfred Z"
"Yes," said Louise.
"Open it, child! See what is in it,"
"Open Alfred's letter p cried Louise
in dismay.
"Yes, of course. Didn't the doctor
say that nothing must excite or disturb
him2 l''s about some business, oi
course, and perhaps it needs instant at
tention."
Thus urged Louise hes'tatingly tore
open the letter.
"lts from Mr. Townsend" she said
"a gentleman who is writing bock."
"Writing q book ?" cried Grace, land
What on earth has that to do with Al.
fred ?'
,"Its about French literature in the
time OF the first Napoleon went on Lou
ise, "and the man vans lot OF informa
ton from some unheard-of book in the
public libraries here, and be can't come
himself because be has spralned an ankle,
and some one has mentioned to him the
name of Alfred as capable, cultivated
and literary gentleman, whose services in
completing a thing ot this nature would
be invaluable. And be will be glad t,
remunerate Mr.. Fortescue at the rate OF
a dollar a page for all compilations con-
cerning the Napoleonic age OF liter ature.
"A dollar a page!" exclaimed Grace
with cleaning eyes; "and for doing the
one thing that Alf likes best In all the
world"
What are we to do ?" asked Louise.
"Whal can we do2" sighed poor
Grace "Write and tell him that Mr..
Fortescue is confined to his bed and that
the doctor thinks he cannot leave it for
several weeks, even under the most ia
vorahle circumstances. Oh, dear! it
seems wicked to let this high tide OF for
tune go by us unlmproved,"
'Grace," said Louise with a quick
breath, 'it shall not pass US By. Ill do
1t mvself."
"Yaup
"Wby not II Cannot l read French
as we'll as ALI himself2 Isn't nv hand
writing big and bold enough for any
man's2 I'll goto these big public libra
ries I'll do the compiling for this man. /"
But, Louise, do you believe yourself
capable of it1"
Louise drew herself up with mock dig.
nifty.
"Do. I look like an impostor ?" said
she. "Just wait and see Give me a
chance to build up nv reputation; and
don't breathe word oil this to ALI. One
dollar! Our fortune is madep'
The next day sbe took her way to the
library, and calmly announced her busi-
ness to one o the principles attending
silver haired geptleman-who at once
became interested In her behalf.
He did his best to help her, but It WAS
little puEz ng just at FIRST She was not
certain that she liked 1t. Her French
was, perhaps, little rusty, and she had
never especially studied up what her cor.
respondent called ",he primo.Napoleon.
ic age OF literature"
But as she worked on daylight seemed
To irrsdiate her labofs, new In diligence
broke in upon her mind. Het pen
SCI atched rspilly over the paper, a sort
Of n elhod settled itself among the writ
iDgs of NJ. de This and Nine. de That.
d Louise began to be On te sure that
she liked it.
She sent cff her work and Mr. Towns
end wrote back expressing TIE utmost
satisfaction. Mr.. Forteecue's MSS, be
said was far beyond his most issnguiDe
anticipations in clearness. comprehen-
siveness aud research He did not know
hut that the accident OF the spralned an.
kle was likely TO prove really fortunate
occurrence and better than all be enclos.
ed q check for sum that seemed like a
gold mine to the girls
This was in March; when the Nav vi
olets began to blossom in the carts of the
Aower-sellers, and "Prim-ro ses! Piim.
ro-ses! cried through the streets, Tired
was considered sufficiently Gonzales cent
10 be told all these events, and one after
noon, sitting by the window, Louise bad
just hogan to say:
"There's something we've been saving
to tell you because"
When Grace opened the door with
somewhat of a puzzled face and announc
ed:
"Mr Townsend"
Enter tall, tine.looking gentleman
who held out his hand to the bewildered
Alfred with the utmost courtesy.
"Being unexpectedly summoned TO this
neighborhood," he said, II could not
deny myself the pleasure of cslling to
thank you for the vers scholarly and
thorough manner in which you have car.
ried out my ideas respecting the Napo
leonic era OF litera' ure, and l wish to be-
speak your cooperation in another and
perhaps more comprehensive liteiary un-
dertaking which"
"My dear sir" cried Alfred, Il haven