The Evening critic., 1885-04-08
NIRS.CATESE EXPER IMENT

land early the next morning.
MRS.GATES'E EXPER IMENT
From one of the trains that came roaring
and tearing into Blithedale several times u
day lady alighted one November morn
ing, whose characteristics wero an unmis-
taxable city air and general aspect Of
never having been In Blithedale before.
She was not sure, so far, that she would
care ever TO be in it again, for the New
Jersey town did not impress her pictur-
esquely. She objected both to the redness
of the soil and the mattor-of-fa expression
of the houses.
Yet Blithedalo was always described as
"a place Of resort in summer and early
autumn, and within easy access OF the
city, but the last of November is an un-
favorable season for such settlements, when
the green, leafy glamour of summer has
vanished and the bridal veil Of winter has
not yet been thrown over the scene.
Mrs. Rapson was making an experimental
and unheralded visit to her friend Mrs.
Gates, who about three months ago had
been obliged by unexpected losses, to go
| into exile on the line of the Now Jersey
| Central Railroad ana having some friends
in the place she chose Blithedalo What
she was doing with herself here and in
nothing, remains to be seen.
1t was not difficult to find the house, tho
street being given, but, when found, it
was something OF a shock to a person fresh
from New York. 1t was of wood, dingy
white in hue, and the two-storied front
slanted to point over the windows, CIV
ing the impression that by some accident,
which could scarcely be called happy one,
the sides of the dwelling had got turned
to the front. The doors and windows were
small and severely plain there was ground
on both sides of the house, and tagged
walk led from the low wooden gate to the
steps,
A doorbell was rather unexpected
piece of civilization, and the visitors ring
was quickly answered by neat, smiling
band-maiden with very German face.
Mrs. Gates was at home, and her friend
was requested to walk into the sitting
room, which appeared to cross the entire
house.
1t was fairly tapestried with vines, aud
in the windows were blooming plants.
An open franklin stove, tho next best
thing to CRATE, had cheerful fire in It,,
and there was q general look Of warmth
and brightness about the large low room
that impressed the visitor very pleasantly.
| Perhaps the lounge aud easy chair, COW
cred with Turkey red, had something to
| do with this but the whole room was Il
| study. "Alices fiat in street was q
| perfect poem. to be sure" unused the lady,
"but who would expect her to make a
| hut like this habitable.looking %
| "Alice" herself had now appeared from
| some mysterious back precinct with warm
welcome, and she was Immediately called
| upon to give an account Of herself
"There Is not very much to give" she
began, smilingly. "You were so late this
year at your beloved mountains that my
nittipgs had to be done while you were
away. No, didn't feel dreadfully' at all
at having to do it. | am very fond, you
know, of tho Joys add Saunderses, who
best of it. When more than half of my
little capital was swept away, felt that
the first reduction to be made was in rent,
and got this ugly, comfortable little house
for $50 month, while my fourth story
'cabinet-1nished fiat cost me. as you know,
500"
| But are not other expenses very much
the same p
by no MEANS" was the reply. "Pro-
visions are onc-third cheaper than in New
York, for Blithedale has quite reputation
in this respect; and Louisa, my German
maiden, prize among servants, is abso'
lutcly contented with eight dollars a
month"
"Well," said the astonsbed visitor, "thi:
is certainly Arcadia in ono way, if not in
another
81 must show you tho house" continued
Mrs. Gates. 1T is better than it looks but
first you shall see my greenhouse"
Her friend restrained her surprise as she
was conducted through doorway into au
unpretendipg "lean-to," with sloping glas.
roof and glass front and sides, quito filled
with callas and carnations that promised
abundant bloom shortly Every plant
looked green and glossy, and the tempera'
ture of the place seemed perfect.
This and the steam pipes for heating
were all in readiness when took the house
having been put in by the owner for his
own use. But the doctors ordered him South
for his health, and l fortunately appeared
just at the right time"
III is very NICE murmured her per
picked friend; you were always so fond O
flowers !"
"Yes, and you remember how | Away
had something in bloom In my New Yorb
fiat? IL was that circumstance which
made me bold enough to venture on green
house"
'And you have no roses?" asked Mrs
Rapson, who did not quite sec her way
through this greenhouse problem. Moth
ing hut callas and carnations2p
Nothing but calas and carnations" re
Joined her hostess, "for both require th
same temperature and moisture both ar
easy to raise and both make generous re
turns in the way Of bloom. Within fort
, night shall begin TO cut, and keep steadily
at it all through the winter. ! sec from
your puzzled face, Cornelia, that you do no
understand me- You must know then
that my greenhouse is altogether a com
mercial venture; aud the expected blossom
are to adOrn the windows of city loris
who has agreed to take from me all that
can raise, at very remunerative price,"
What ever made you think of it ?' gaspet
the amazed visitor.
, Poverty, my dear" laughed Mrs. Gates
1T sharpens one's faculties wonderfully.
knew that something must DO done to in
5 crease the pittance that remains to me, ant
fower-raising presented more attractiv
, Held than anything else that seemed prac
ticable. So ! consulted florists aud success
iul gardeners, read little, and determines
to venture with my two varieties Tn
great fault with beginners is that they at
} tempt 10 much at once. 1t was just th
right season for my experiment, and
was fortunate enough to mako my pur
r chases at great advantage. The excite
. ment, even at this stage, Is delightful.
am intensely Interested In every leaf tina
puts forth, and when the flowers come
I shall scarcely be able 10 contain myself"
81 am very much interested, too," re
Piled her friend, "and have no doubt tina