Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1885-04-09
Mrs. Gates Experiment.

From one of the trains that came
roaring ana tearing into Blithedale sew
eral times a day "a lady alighted one No
yember morning, whose characteristics
were an unmistakabie city air, and a
general aspect Of never having been in
Blithedale before. Size was not sure,
90 far, that she would care ever to be in
1t again, tor the New Jersey town did
impress her picturesquely. She object
ed both to the redness of the soil and
the matter Of fact expression of the
houses.
Yet Blithedale was always described
as "a place Of resort" in summer and
early autumn, and "within easy access
OF the city," but the last of November
is an unfavorable season for such set.
Elements. when the green, leafy gla-
nour of summer has vanished, and the
bridal veil of winter has not yet been
thrown over the scene.
Mrs. Rapson was making an expert.
mental and unheralded visit to her
friend. Mrs. Gates, who about three
months ago had been obliged, by unex'
pected losses, to go into exile on the
line of the NewJerseyC Central Railroad
and having some friends i'm the place,
she chose BlithedaIe. What she was
doing with herself there, and in what
way she was able to live on next to
nothing, remains to be seen.
It was not difficult to fnd the house,
the street being given but when found
it was something of shock to lady
from New York. 1t was of wood, din
gy white in hue, and the two-storied
front slanted to point over the win
dows, giving the impression that 10y
some accident. which could scarcely be
called a happy one, the sides of the
dwelling had got turned to the front.
The door and windows were small AMI
severely plain there was ground on
both sides of the house, and a tagged
walk led from the low wooden gate to
the steps.
A door bell was rather unexpected
piece of civilization, and the visitors
ring was quickly answered by a neat,
smiling handmaiden, with very Ger
man face. Mrs. Gates was at home
and her friend was requested to walk
into the sitting room, which appeared
to cross the entire house.
1t was fairly tapestried with vines,
and in the windows were blooming
plants. An open Franklin stove, the
next best thing to CRATE, had cheer
ful fire in it, and there was general
look of warmth and brightness about
the large. low room, that impressed the
visitor very pleasantly. Perhaps the
lounge and easy-chair, covered with
Turkey red, might have had something
to do with this J. but the whole room
was a study. .Alice's fat in-street
was perfect poem, to be sure,' unused
the lady, but who would expect her to
make hut like this habitable look
ing p
Alice herself had now appeared from
some mysterious back precinct with u
warm welcome, and she was immedi-
ately called upon to give an account of
herself.
There is not very much to give, she
began, smilingly. you were so late
this year at your beloved mountains,
that my fitting had to be done while
you were away. No, didn't feel
dreadful, at all at having to 10 it. 1
am very fond, you know. of the Joys
and Saunderses, who haye homes here.
and / mean to make the best of it,.
When more than half of my little capi.
tai vas swept away. I felt that the first
reduction to be made was IN rent, and
get this ugly, comfortable little house
Tor twenty dollars month, while my
fourth story, cabinet finished flat cost
me, as you well know, sixty dollars
But are not other expenses very
much the same p
BY no means. Provisions are at
least third cheaper than in New York
Tor Blithedale has quite reputation in
this respect and Louisa. my German
maiden, a.prize among servants. is alb
solutely contented with eight dollars a
month";
We'll, this is certainly Arcadia in
one way, III not i'm another I said the
astonished visitor.
1 must show you the house, contin-
ued Mrs. Gates 1T is better than it
looks; but first you shall see my greeu-
house,
Her friend restrained her surprise as
she was conducted through a doorway
into an unpretending lean.to, with
sloping glass roof and glass front and
sides, quite filled with callas and car
nations, that promised abundant bloom
shortly. Every plant looked green and
glossy and the temperature of the place
seemed perfect.
This and the steam pipes for heating
were all in readiness when l took the
house, having been put in by the own
or for his own use. But the doctors
ordered him south for his health, and
fortunately appeared Just at the right