River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1885-12-31
A MISTAKE.

ing.
Mrs. Gentle was a pretty, down-look-
ing little widow, dressed in somewhat
shabby weeds, with blue eyes, delicate
bloom and shy, depreeating way, like
that of kitten who had been ill-treat-
ed, and is always on a lookout for
blow. Miss Honeycomb was tall and
handsome, dressed in substantial
looking black silk, with the air of
woman who fears no created thing.
And they were both from Dollerville
up the Harlem road.
well, | declares! said Miss Hon
eycomb.
"Who would have thought of seeing
you'll said Mrs. Gentle.
Going to get into Madison ave
nue. stage, said Miss Honeycomo,
crossing Forty-sccond street with n
martial air that made hack-drivers
rein in their horses, and even stopped
horse-car that had the undoubted
right OF way But who would have
dared to run over woman with step
and an umbrella like that?
YES, ] suppose so, said Mrs. Gen
tie, consulting a crumplcd little slip OF
newspaper in her pocket. II want to
90 to No. 10 Rosemary Square, and if
that is the nearest way
Miss Honepcomy whirled around,
with her foot on the omnibus step.
"Eh?' calculated She NO. 10
Rosemary Square? Louisa Gentle, |
am going there, too"
30 answer an advertisement for r
housekecper?
Yes.
Dear me, said Mrs. Gentle. How
very strange. | saw the advertisement,
and thought that perhaps might suit.
Well said Miss Honeycomb, seat
ing herself in the best corner of the
omnibus and clicking her teeth together
something after the same fashion in
which she clicked the clasp of her port
monnaiesafter taking out the necessary
ten-cent stamp; there no harm in try
ing. n can to try.
Little Mrs Gentle looked discounted.
How could she expect to succeed. she
asked herself, where Maria HoneycOmb
was also competitor for the vacant
post.
There were only three of them in the
Sage-Miss Honeycomb, Mrs Gentle
and little, modest-looking damsel in
plain, gray travelling dress. Mrs. Gentle
looked at the third person, thinking
how sweet and innocent her face was.
Miss Honeycom5 glared at her secretly
assessing her dress at % cents yard,
and setting down her collar as imita-
tiOn lace.
Miss Honeycmb put her ten cents
into the fare-boE with the air of one
who owned the whole omnibus. Mrs.
Gentle dropped hers apologetically
through the aperture, as if afraid that
she might Offend the stage driver by
too great brusluencss. And the pretty
girl opposite felt in her travelling bag,
then in her pocket-felt a second time
and a third-ald then burst into tears.
Miss Honeyoomb, who was the COM
plete antipodes of her name in every re-
speot, sat up, gruff and stern, in her
corner, like a darning needle stuck in
a board She lad read of confidence
games in the newspapers, and, no
doubt. his was one of them. Mrs. Gen
tie leaned over, with sympathetic kind
ness.
''My dear" said she, ''what is the
matter?'
Miss Honeycomb jerked her dress.
Don't speak to her, said she. cts
all put on.'l
I've lost my portemonnaie, said
the young girl, ''or else I've had my
pockets picked Oh, dear! dear! And
there were twenty-five dollars in it, be-
sides lot of change"
(''Don't believe there was twenty-five
cents in it, said Miss Honeycomb.sotto
voee.)
Perhaps some of you ladies would
kindly lend me the fare?' said the
young girl, in Hurried sort of way.
because it's too far for me to walk,
and | haven't a penny left"
Young woman, said Miss Honey
comb, loftily, you cant come it over
me! I'm too old bird to be caught
with chaff like that"
II don't quite understand YOU,
ma am" said the young girl timidly.
Don't you?' said Miss Honeycomb.
IF you presume to ask me for money
again, I'll give you in charge of the pq-
lice Now do yOu understands
Mrs Gentle looked Indignantly at
Miss Honeycom0 as it was in her mild
nature to lool at any one.
Glow can you speak so, Maria?'
she said eagerly fumbling in her own
scantily- pocket.
''Do you really believe that story?'
shifted Miss Honeycomb, contempt
trembling on her lip, aud disdain
trembling through her uplifted nos
trils.
why, of course, believe it,
Then you're ono degree q bigger
fool than gave you credit for being,
retorted Miss Honeyoomb, Its sell.
A regular street sell. II you read
The Tricks and Trials of New York,
as | have done Y, aid understand all
these things from A to L. The young
hypocrite ought to be handed over to
the police. And yet there you are.
Louisa Gentle, encouraging her in her
evil ways Ina surprised at you9'
For Mrs. Gestle, seating herself by
the side of the trembling and afirighted
young girl. had already paid her fare,
and was whispering encouraging words
in her ear.
Miss Honeycomb rode on a mile or
so further, still stiff and upright, star
ing out of the stage window, sooner
than to seem, even by a glance, to
countenance her friend 5 unseemly and
ill-adjudged conduct.
AS green as grass she said to her
self. 'sLouisa Gentle is so unsophisti-
Gated that she would fall into any trap
going. She's no more fit for New
York life than a year old lamb! Here's
Rosemary Square at last, thank good
nessl
She got out of the stage, Mrs. Gentle
got out also; and, to the infinite surprise
of both, the young girl in the gray
travelling dress alighted as well.
do you stop at Rosemary" said
Mrs. Gentle.
why, yes said the young girl; Il
live here9''
'.Seamstress, or something of that
kind said Miss Homegrown, under
her breath.
Perhaps, then, said Mrs. Gentle