The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1885-03-06
A PRINCESS OF SPAIN.

1t was small, square pine board, neat
ly lettered, with some attempt at or
Internationally no means unsuccessful
either. 1t was tackled at the left-hand
side of the door, between it and the first
of the five rows of dirty windows, wink
ing seepily in the face of the hot sum
mer's sun; and it bore these words:
"Dressmaking and repairing neatly done.
Inquire within"
The "wthin" looked dubious. The
long. dark hall wore treacherous air,
limiting at stumbling blocks for the
thoughtess, and traps for the unwary.
Nor were the fears of timid venturer at
all allaycd by the instantaneous appear
ance at each door-there were twelve,
six on sidc-of frouzy-looking head
of hair. with face somewhere below
that showed brave disdain of soap and
an equal contempt for water.
-Four flights up, mum; turn squar
around and 90 to the left" would be the
responding chorus should the explorer,
plunged into fresh perpleXity as to
which of the many interiors was the
"within," venture an interrogation for
enlightenment. Should THE voyager be
rash enough to brave further dangers
no voyager ever was, but we are suppos-
ing a case-hc would desperately begin
! the perilous assent with the sundry re-
| Elections as to the uncertainty of human
! life, the shrill vocifcration of voices still
unitedly proclaiming -four flights up, "
/ like the chorus of Grecian tragedy.
Moreover, rs before remarked no Wis
itor ever sought to effect an entrance TO
! the penetralia Of this mysterious do
main, so, as far rs those matters went,
the would-be dressmaker and repairer
must have expended her energies upon
the apparel of herself and royal high
ness; for in this room, "four flights up
and turn to the left" dwelt the princess
of Spain
1t was near the close of an unusually
sultry afternoon, that young woman
might have been seen toiling up the
steep heights slowly, yet with care
lcssncss that bespoke familiar knowledge
of the way, or a disposition to place her
own life at less than par value. Having
reached the summit in triumph, she
paused moment to recover breath.
The hall was small and narrow. They
all began long aud narrow, and shrunk
gradually with each flight-a curiou;
fact that seemed to be applicable equally
to the occupants. Light falling through
the skylight above revealed a slight,
graceful figure, somewhat too thin to be
considered strictly beautiful; and a face,
pretty, though colorless and careworn,
by no means young girls face; rather
just now, the face of an old, old woman
who had long passed hope, and laid hap
piness by for ever.
But such countcnance for moment
only. As her hand turned the handle Of
the door, a complete metamorphosis took
place. She had recovered her breath,
and, with a merry snatch Of song upon
her lips entered the room. The room
boosted two windows, one a vain and
inglorious subject for pride, since the
ungainly tenement opposite completed
excluded light or air. The other com
manded a sweeping vista Of unswept
dooryards and disconsolate ash-heaps,
with a wide horizon of old clothes-lnt
and tattered linen, each garment cling
ing to its neighbor for mutual support
in devoted manner touching to behold
A small bed was placed between these
two windows, and upon 1t lay wee
morsel of humanity; or rather, at thu
moment she was propped up on one arm
with her face to the door. 1t was
strange face; in fact, it was not face
but eyes. They were so large and weird
set in such small, thin features that one
forgot there was face at all. The hanC
she rested upon was transparent; tn
arm which supported the hand wa
, transparent; in fact, the small elf was
: transparency complete--any campaigl
club could have utilized her with Blu
slight difficulty.
And this was the princess of Spain.
"I'm so glad you've come" said he
highness, sinking back upon her pillow
with a transparent little smile.
WAS l long gone, dearl Well, sc
now what l have brought YOU" Tn
, speaker placed parcel upon the counter
] pane; removing the wrapper, was dis
, closed small wicker basket, loosel
t filled with fresh cut flowers.
@ " Oh, breathed the princess, and he
= hands clasped rapturously.
Fl "Ah, knew that would please you,
/ smiled the other, "and | can get som
more on Thursday"
0 " But they cost so much, whispere
the princess, in quite an unprincess Xix
way.
t Her attendant laughed. Ruth Trevor
= laugh could not fail to strike the dulle
n ear as singularly sweet and pleasal
i music, though weary minor note {
4 pathos vibrated through even its mo
/ joyous chords.
4 at is a mission, dear" she explaine
i "Some beautiful ladies have made i
t They give the flowers away"
t "God bless themm whispered tn
d princess, reverently, her face buriC
G among her roses.
8 Eyes, God bless them" echoed Ru
only the words were not a mere echo
It and she kissed the thin face, and wi
her work went and sat down at the wi
: dow where air and sunlight were c
G Guided.
IS The princess lay back on her pillo
il caressing the flowers Their fragran
t softly filled the room. 1t was such a We
e small room that very few would ha
n suficed for that; very thin, mu,
n shrunken little room, and gave the lie
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