Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-01-24
REBECCA'S PLAN.
BY LUCY RANDALL COMFORT.


From Harper's Bazar
II wouldn't mind losing the money" said
gentle Mrs. Orme, ''if it wasn't for Clara's
music" And she wiped tear or two from the
eyes that were still blue and bright.
''Well. | would. then" said Rebecca. who
stood in the middle of the kitchen floor. brand.
ishing her china towel as if it was an aggressive
weapon of warfare. ''Nobody wants to see their
little savings made ducks and brakes Of II
you had took my advice, Mrs Orme. YOU never
would have give it to your city cousin to invest,
but KEEP it in the county bank. where it was
safe and sound, even If it didn't draw such a
high interest. But you always ,ras foolish
about money"
at this Clara Orme fred up, as dove might
resent the attack of some warlike hawk on the
maternal nest.
''Rebeccs," said she, ''be silent! You shall
not speak so to mamma"
well isn't it the TRUTH" said Rebecca
Mamma. don't mind her." pleaded Clara. put
and laying her velvet cheek against the flushed
forehead. LET the music go. After ALL what
does little money signify"
Child, YOU speak like a baby" said Mrs
Orme. Money means a great more than you
think"
fOrted by the magnetic touch of her ch,ld's
cheek, the coaxing sweetness of her voice and
although Rebecca the hired help" still stood
there scOlding. the sting had all gone out of her
reproots. Rebecca had lived with them since
Clara was baby. 1t was her way to scold
And in spite of the sweet sophstry of Cara's
excuses Mrs. Orme admitted to herself that
Rebecca was more than half right. She never
should have given that thousand dollars to her
cousin. the city broker, to invest in South Cen
trail Pacific when South Central Pacific was run
ming up to such de- Lling figure that every
body fastened to share its splepdors. ".What
goes up must come down" Ter old uncle
Lemuel had always said. and she should have
known that South Central Pacific wasn't
sound" But there was no use CRYING for
spilled milk. ThemOney was gone in tie South
Central Pacific collapse, and al the city cousins
regrets couldn't bring it back. And after all
they didn't mind a little economy if only it
wasn't for Claras musical education: the lessons
from Madame Quesch would have to be stopped
now. and how could Clara ever expect to be a
great pianist if"
But Just then the kitchen door swung open.
and little Bell came in, carrying her apron full
of wild grapes, with a glory of late sunshine
around her. and fringe Of blue asters stuck like
deep amethyst pumes In the shabby ribbon OF
her old straw hat.
"Oh. mother, mother" she cried breathlessly
'see what | have got. And there is city LADY
down at old Mrs. Nickelsa's buying all those
funny wooden chairs that Peleg was lust going
to split up into kindling wood and the broken
clock too. and the spinning-wheel up garnet"
Mrs. Orme and hebecca looked at each other
with sudden Frightening Of their eyes.
'.Old furniture. eh?" said Rebecca And YOU
was talkin' OF sellin' yOurn at auction, to 90
up to town. and De near the woman that gives
lessons to our Clara 1t amt noways likely
they'd fetch much at avendoO SALE Amt this
good chance for you, Mrs Orme?"
''1e-pS. / SuODOSp :" said the mpok widow
with doubtful flutter at her heart PUT on
your hat, Rebecca, and go down to Mrs. Nickel
sas and see what you can do
Mamma" cried Clara. surely you never will
sell the old chairs and bedsteadsI"
MY dear. something must be done. "said Mrs.
Orsle. with varying color in her soft face, 1T will
cost me pang TO part with the old things but.
after all, deserve to be punished for nv tolly
in that South Central Pacific business. and YOU
know we couldn't do anything with such a lot
of old furniture in a city fiat. Hush. Don't
make me coward when l need most to be
brave"
But as she sat there in the low-ceied. brood
ING old kitchen, with the yellow September
glow around her, the vine leaves whispering at
the easement, and the lecusts winding their
tiny bugles in the mape-trees outside. it seemed
as If all the golden air was full of the ghosts of
departed days. Poor Mrs. Orme. the world was
very hard to her in these times.
Rebecca presently returned accompanied by
pOrtiy lady elegantly dressed in surah satin.
jetted lace, and scented Valley Cashmere
shawl
Yes. Mrs. Van Vosceln ,cds buying old FUR
niture- She dotted on real antiques. indeed
with smper-she might almost say that she
was crazed on the subject. Had Mrs.-Mrs-
oh yes. Mrs. Orme-anything that she wished to
part with?
Yes" said Mrs. Orme. rather abashed by so
much spleRdOr; Il am talking of giving np nv
house here. and l should like to sell the old
claw-legged table. and perhaps tine nall clock.
and the curious carved chairs in the parlor
These last, she added, with modest pride. ..are.
l believe. quite rare. They We're given to nv
mother. before she was married. by the captain
OF a Holland trading vessel, who brought them
direct from Antwerp, and they have been much
admired by artists"
"Oh. indeed,' said Mrs Van Voscelin "But
there is So much inposture about these thinps
you know. However, don't object to looking
at Them"
Clara had grown scarlet at the cool insoene OF
the city lady s tone. but Mrs Orme smiled depre-
catingiy as she led the way toward the best
parlOr ReOecca expressed her feelings by scrub
bling vigorously away at the yellow paint on the
wndoW-slll to remove an infnitesma fiy-soeck
therefrom.
Up and down sassy. amt she?" said she.
Il don't see how mamma endures it," cried
Clara, tightly clinching her little fist
Hard words never yet killed nobody" oh.
served Rebecca. who had the soul of a philoso.
pher within her gaunt form.
Presently Mrs. Van Voscein and the widow
Orme came back. still debating.
''l'I give you twelve dollars for the fou1
chairs. said Mrs. Van Voscelin They are
rather pretty in their way but nothing remark.
able. And Wen call the clock. say. ten, and the
claw-legged tabIe-claw-legs are really quite
common nowadays-eight. Make the lot thirty
dollars
"Oh, cried Mrs. Orme, recoiling, II could not
fort I<ytf
'lts all they are worth" said Mrs Van Vos.
cei1n People put an entirely fictitious value
upon such things now. And you'll find that no
one else will give you such price for the old
rattle-traps'
Mammal" pleaded Clara, piteously laying
her hand on Mrs. Orme's arm.
And" added the remorseless iconoclast. s']
have my doubts about their being real ANTIQUES
after all. People do get so imposed upon in
these days. No one knows what to believe"
Mrs. Orme drew herself up. 81 don't .hink
you need entertain any scruples on that score.
said She These articles have been in the Orme
family for three-quarters of a century at least
say thirty-two dollars and fifty cents" said
Mrs Van VOscelin. Its more than thev are
worth, but / don't like to be hard on reduced
ladies'"
II should not be willing to sell them for less
than eighty dollars" firmly maintained Mrs