The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-01-02
A DECIDED BARGAIN.

"Oh, MOTHER said Bsssv Jewett, ''how
hard it is to be poor"
my child" said the widow, with a quiv.
ering lip. "do you think that 1 have not
learned that lesson long ago."
"Well, mother. it's too bad for me to add
to your troubles by complaining" confessed
Bessy. but ii always seems worse when
Mrs. Fanting comes to see u.s."
"She means we'll. my DEAR" said Mrs.
Jewett.
"Then / wish she'd mean ILL., y said Bsssy,
tempestuously; '.iust for a change, mother.
What business has she to lecture you, I'd
like to know, about using white sugar in
your tea, and wearing lace aroundyour neck,
instead of linen. Why can't she say pleas
ant things instead of unpleasant ones. 1 de-
clare, l could almost have boxed her ears,
when she asked how much rent o paid,
and expressed her opinion that you had no
business to live in such q house as this"
She did not know that Mr.. Pardee gave
ms the use of the HOUSE. for kin CAFE of it
until it was sold" spologized Mrs. Jewett.
And l was sorry yon told her." said
Bessv.
What business was it of hers, l should
like to know"
my dear, my dear, . soothed the gentle
widow
.Hushi' said Bessy, lifting her finger,
there she is nowi Twice ia one day. l de-
clare, this IL too overpowering."
Mrs. Jewett and Bsssy were sitting togeth-
or IN the little back room. Although il was
early twilight no lamps were yet lighted-a
fee bic fire of carefully husbanded Goals
glimmered family in the crate and shone
cpon the antique furniture, which was all
that renamed to Mrs. Jewett of the old
abundance. Mrs. Fantipg rustled with o
strong smell of patcnouli and an overwhel-
ming amount of orange-colored feathers and
sealskin furs.
II hope L don't intruds.' said she.
Yea, YOU do" whispered Bessy so that
only her mother could near.
"Eot at al" said Mrs. Jewett. faintly.
"But il just occurred to me-" observed
Mrs. Faating, unbuttouing her seal jacket
and tanning herself vehemently. chat 1
should ike that old family clock of yours"
Bessy glanced apprehensively at the old
brass faced clock whose carved top nearly
touched the ceiling, aud whose menetonous
tick, tick" measured the seconds like an
unseen finger, in the disk
"Of course you would be glad of a chance
to sell it, went on Mrs. Fanting. How
very warm you keep the loom Can't you
open a Window
You ~forget," interposed Bessy, that you
are sitting with all your wraps on. and that
mother has q cold. No. we can't open q
window
Mrs. FaDting cast a vicious glance toward
Bessy. She and that young person meyer did
agTee. There vas always 8 tacit aDtagonism
between them. She turned brusquely TO
Mrs. Jewett-
ssAboct the clock. 4" she resumed. "Fant-
ing has taken a notion ID have an Old Clock
on ne Stairs There's q landing half way
up, where 1t would show beautifully from
the bali. And he says it must be a genuine
old fashioned one. too. What will yOQ take
fer that oner' pointing her kid finger to the
brass faced clock.
Mrs Jewett started almsst as If she had
been struck.
81 did not hin of selling It," said she.
at belonged to Grandpa Jewett, aud"
That's al nonsense" said AIRS. Fanting.
You cau'texpect 70 keep al these old traps.
Why, the very storage OF them would cost
Won too much. And, besides. Fsntipg wants
The clock. He'll give you $50 for it,"
II could not sell il for that, - said Mrs.
Jewett. "Dr. Sibley would have given me
$50 for it before We left 0ldvale."
Then you were a fool for not selling il to
him" said Mrs Fsntipg. with q coarseness
that brought the angry crimson to Bessy's
cheek. You can't expect to get any such
price for 10 here, where people know the
value of things: but since you are q relation
4 dom think Fanting would mind giving
you SIS"
"Icsnnot sacrifice il for any such sum as
that" said Mrs. Jewett. decidedly.
an that case you msy keen It" said Mrs.
Fanting. rising to her feet aud waving her
fan back ard forth more energeticailv than
ever. There are plenty OF clocks 70 be had
~ BQington's for reasonable prices. Aud
hope you may never I've to repent your OBJ
etinacyR
S4s .a.hsd suE Of he ra9n SlIAoa. isr.