The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1885-03-11
COMMONPLACE PEOPLE,

MISS DIVER. And here is my check,
driver %
Miss Dorothy Diver gave these orders
with an assumption of being we'll up in the
ways of the metropolis; in fact, she tried
to speak as if she were in the daily habit
of engaging hacks. But her feigned man
ner did not impose upon Charlie Kingston
at all.
A little girl from the country" he said
to himself. "Never been here in her life
before. She'll lose that complexion before
she has been here many MONTHS"
Charlie Kingston, be it understood, was
not professional jehu. He himself was
not SO very long from the rural districts
1t had become necessary for him to come
to New York to take care of an old uncle
who was an invalid; it had also become
necessary chat he should earn his living.
A neighboring livery-stable was to be
sold ont at a bargain, and Charlie had a
healthy mans liking for horses. SO he
bought it, paying part of the money down
and giving mortgage for the rest; and he
was here this misty February evening be-
cause one of his drivers had sprained wrist
in lifting heavy trunk, and busioess was
brisk
Dorothy looked at him as he held open
the hack-door for her, and secretly wonder
ed if this was the typical New York hack
driver of whom she had read aud heard SO
many evil things.
His eye was bright and clear, his cheek
wore healthy glow, and nc prince of the
blood could have been more quietly court
eous than was he.
While she was still considering these
things, the hack stopped.
" Seventy-eight Picket Place MISS" said
the driver, jumping down from the box.
Oh, have we reached it SO soon {" cried
Dorothy, starting out of reyerie. "Oh,
dear, I forgot to ask how much the fare
would be /"
Zone dollar, miss" said Kingston, smil-
ing in spite of herself at her evident panic.
Corothy drew sigh of relief. This sure
ly was not the overchsrge she had dreaded.
" If you would please carry the trunk up
stairs" said she, timidly, half-fearing lest
the New York hack driver should cast the
baggage, with imprecations, on the pave
ment, and decline further to serve her.
But Charlie Kingston did nothing of the
sort. He only said, " Certainly, MISS and
went up stairs at once, with the trunk bal
anced on his shoulder.
"The fourth fiat--this is quite right
said Dorothy. "pm so much obliged to
you, driver !"
And she timidly rendered the dollar-bill,
with little silver dime.
Kingston gave back the latter coi..
Zone dollar is my fare" said he calmly.
6 But for your trouble with the trunk"
The faltered.
" He smiled little.
1T is my business to take trouble said
he. Good-eyening, miss I"
And before Dorothy could remonstrate he
was gone.
6 never saw such nice hack-driyer in
my life, thought she, as she tapped at the
door.
She listened. There was no voice, but
there were footsteps inside.
81 WONDER she unused, if Norman
will open the door himseh?"
For Dorothy, be ii known, had planned
surprise for her brother Norman, who had
come to New York, about year since, to
follow his trade of printer.
Dorothy had longed to come, too, but,
alas, she was not man, but a womanl
But of late her stepmother had made the
family home SO obnoxious to her that she
had suddenly conceived the determination
of coming to New York to live with Nor
man, thus severing the Gordian knot of af-
fairs.
"He will be glad to have me keep house
Tor him." she thought; land I-oh, I
would 60 to the very top Of Pixies Peak to
get away from that woman |"
So here she was, upon that winter night,
rosy, smiling and eager, when the door wa,
opened at Number Seventy-eight Pickett
Place.
"Oh, Normy--dear Normy!"
And she flung herself, sobbing, upon the
broad shoulders TINT collapsed the one CHEEKY
gaslight.
ell beg your pardon" faltered deep
voice, "but it isn't Normy! Mr.. Diver
hasn't come in yet. / am Royal Brooks
his chum, you knowl You are his sister, ]
suppose--you look exactly like him. Pray
lit down by the fire and warm yourself it's
very cold"
And Dorothy, blushing to the very roott
Of her hair, obeyed. 4ss
Z" Will he be in soon ?" she stammered.
"very soon now. May give you cup
of tea fatter myself I'm rather dabster
in the brewing of tea. We take turns in
keeping house, we fsllows-Normy Diver,
Bill Blake md me, and this is my week.
We club together and rent this fiat. We
couldn't stand the clearinghouse business
amy longer, you know, Miss Diver"
And thus chatting, to relieve her embar.
rassment, he hustled around, and presently
brought her cup of very nice tea on 9
dusty japanese tray, with two or three fos
sil biscuits and slice or two of cold beef
Before she had finished it, Norman him.
self came in, fresh and breezy.
"Who have you here ?" he cried "Hellol
it's Dotty Why, you precious little pussy,
how on earth came you here ?"
And then Dorothy told her tale, inter-
rupted few minutes Inter by the appear
ance of the third young printer, willough
by Blake by name, who was equally amazed
and equally disposed to be hospitable to til,
pretty stranger.
And 3d." said Dorothy, holding tight
On to Norinan's hand, 1--WE come to live
with you"
You are the dearest little lass in all the
world" said Norman, with puzzled look
but, you see, it won't work. There's the
other fellows, you know. It's share and
share alike in our housekeeping affairs, and
we haven't any extra room"
II could sleep on the sofa, with rug
over me, and give Miss Diver my den |" sug-
gested Brooks, eagerly.
Your den is ell very well for rough
chap like you," said Bill Blake, In super