The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1885-04-03
miscellaneous.
A Decided Bargain.

|
my child" said the widow, with CULVER
ing lip, edo you think that Ihave not learned
that lesson long ago."
"Well, mother, it's too bad for me to add
to your troubles by complaining" confessed
Bessy. But it always seems worse when
Mrs. Fanting comes to see u.s."
"She means well, my DEAR" said Mrs.
| Jewett.
Then wish she'd mean ILL.," said Bessy,
tempestuously. Just for change, mother
| What business has she to lecture you, I'd like
to know, about using white sugar in your
tea, and wearing lace around your neck in
stead of linen? Why can't she say pleasant
| things instead of unpleasant ones declare,
| could almost have boxed her ears when she
asked you how much rent you paid, and ex
pressed her opinion thatyo had no business
to live in such house as this"
"She did not know that Mr.. Pardee gave
us the use of the house for taking care of it
until it was sod," apologized Mrs. Jewett.
"And | was sorry you told her." said Bes-
sy. "What business was it of hers, should
like TO know"
MY dear, my DEAR" soothed tho gentle
widow.
"Hushw said Bessy, lifting her finger,
"there she is now! Twice in one day.
| declare this is too Overpowering
Mrs. Jewett and Bessy were sitting to-
gether in the little back room. Although it
was early twilight no lamps were yet lighted,
a feeble fire of carefully husbanded GOALS
| glimmered family in the CRATE, and shone
| upon the antique furniture which was all
, that remained to Mrs. Jewett of the old album
| dance. Into this nutshell of a room Mrs
| Fanting rustled with strong smell of patch
| ouli and an overwhelming amount of orane @
| colored feathers and sealskin furs
II hope | don't intrude," said she.
YES, you do" whispered Bessy so that
| only her mother can hear.
Not at ALL" said Mrs Jewett, family.
But it just occurred to me" observed Mrs
| Fanting unbuttoning her seal-skin Jacket and
tanning herself vehemently, that should
| like that old family clock of yours"
Bessy glanced apprehensively at the old
brass-faced clock whose carved top nearly
| touched the ceiling, and whose modotonous
"tick, tick, )" measured the seconds like an un-
seen finger in the dusk
'Ofcourse you would he glad of chance
to sell it," went on Mrs Fanting. How
very warm you do keep the room? ?"
You forget" interposed Bessy, ",hat you
are sitting with all your wraps on and that
mother has a cold. No, we can't open win.
dow"
Mrs Fanting cast vicious look toward
DtSsy. DuC anu tLut youuS pcTSOn never
agree There was always a tacit antagonism
between them. She turned brusquely to Mrs.
Jewclt.
About the clock" she resumed. Painting
has taken notion to have an "Old Clock on
the Stairs" There's landing halt way up
where it would show beautifully from the
hall. And he says it must be genuine old
fashioned one, too. What will you take for
that one?" pointing her finger 10 the BRASS
faced clock.
Mrs. Jewett started almost as if she had
| been struck.
I'll did not think of selling it," said she.
ut belonged to Grandpa Jewett. and"
That's all nonsense" said Mrs Fantipg
"You can't expect TO keep all these old traps.
Why, the very storage of them would cost
you 100 much And, besides, Fanting wants
The clock. He will give you twenty dollars
| for it,"
II could not sell it for that" said Mrs.
Jewelt Doctor Sibley would have given
| me fifty for it before we left Ovale."
"Then you were a fool for not selling it TO
him." said Mrs Fanting, with coarseness
| that brought the angry crimson to Bessy's
| check. you can't expect to get any such
price for it here, where people know the
value of things. But, since you are relation
| don't think Fanting would mind giving you
| twenty five"
II cannot sacrifice it for any such sum as
| that" said Mrs. Jewett, decidedly.
I'm that case you may keep it," said Mrs.
Fanting, rising to her feet, and waving the
| fan back and forth more energetically than
ever "There are plenty of old clocks to be
had AT Byngtons tor reasonable prices. And
| hope you may never live to repent your
obstinacy."
She rusted out of the room without further
ceremony, leaving Mrs. Jewett and Bessy
looking at each other.
II am so sorry" said Mrs Jewett.
"Mother, why should you be sorry ?" cried
Bessey. For my part am rather glad that
Mrs. Fanting has received check But
isn't it strange, mother. Byington's is the
very place where Doctor Sibley advised us
to send the old clock to be sold. Well speak
to the eXpress-man tomorrow. For we
must have money dear mother, and would
starve sooner than ask help from Mrs. FAINT
ing"
Mr. Fred Byington himself, the son of the
specialized old connoisseur in antiques, came
| up to look at the clock, and pronounced it a
genuine curiosity in its way.
You ought to get hundred dollars for
| it," said he "but don't know whether you
will. Times are dull just now, but I'll do the
best can for you, Miss Jewett."
ut seems almost like selling one OF the
i family" said Bessy, with tears in her eyes,
II can remember this clock ever since was
baby"
Fred Byingtons handsome face became in
tensely sympathetic. at does seem cruel,
doesn't 1t ?" said he. And am sorry that it
should be necessary 10 part with it. But I'll
send over our wagon for it this afternoon,
and you may depend on your pet receiving
| the most careful treatment"
How kind he was" said R,ssy, gratefully
alter MIR. Byington was gone. II didn't
know that it was usual for dealers to send
| their own wagons after these things"