Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1885-03-06
A PRINCESS OF SPAIN.

namentation-by 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 "within" looked dubious. The
long dark hall wore a treacherous air,
limiting at stumbling blocks for the
thoughtless, and traps for the unwarY.
Nor were the fears of a timid venturer at
all allayed by the instantaneous appear
ance at each door-there were twelve,
six on side-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 go 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 case-he would desperately begin
the perilous assent with the sundry re-
! Elections as to the uncertainty of human
life, the shrilI vociferation of voices still
unitedly proclaiming 'four flights up"
like the chorus of Grecian tragedy.
Moreover, as before remarked, no Wis
itor ever sought to effect an entrance to
the penetralia of this mysterious do
main, so, as far as 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
lessness that bespoke familiar knowledge
of the way, or 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 shrunl
= gradually with each fight-a curious
fact that seemed to be applicable equal!
to the occupants. Light falling through
the skylight above revealed slight
graceful figure, somewhat too thin to b.
considered strictly beautiful; and face
pretty, though colorless and careworn
by no means young girls face; rather
lust now, the face of an old, old woman
who had long passed hope, and laid hap
piness by for ever.
But such countenance for momen
only. AS her hand turned the handle o
the door, complete metamorphosis tool
place. She had recovered her breath
and, with a merry snatch OF song upol
her lips, entered the room. The room
boasted tive windows, one vain ant
inglorious subject for pride, since tn
ungainly tenement opposite completed
excluded light or air The other CON
manded a sweeping vista of unswep
dooryards and disconsolate ash-heaps
with wide horizon of ole clothes lin
and tattered linen, each garment cling
ing to its neighbor for mutual supper
in devoted manner touching to behold
A small bed was placed between thes
lWO WlHuONs, anu UPON IL idJ q W
morsel of humanity; or rather, at tt
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 weirC
set in such small, thin features that or
forgot there was face at all. The han
she rested upon was transparent; Il
arm which supported the hand WI
transparent; in fact, the small elf was
transparency complete-any campaie
club could have utilized her with b1
slight difficulty.
And this was the princess of Spain.
n n "rm so glad you've come" said h
!" highness, sinking back upon her pillo'
with transparent little smile.
"Was / long gone, dear2 Well, S
Y now what have brought you" T
speaker placed parcel upon the countt
pane; removing the wrapper, was d
be closed a small wicker basket, loose
A filled with fresh cut flowers.
Oh, breathed the princess, and h
hands clasped rapturously
"Ah, knew that would please you
smiled the other, "and / can get sol
more on Thursday"
But they cost so much" whisper
the princess, in quite an unprincess Ii
way.
Her attendant laughed Ruth Trevo
60 laugh could not fail to strike the dull
ear as singularly sweet and pleasi
music, though weary minor note
pathos vibrated through even its m
joyous chords.
''It is mission, dear" she explain
"Some beautiful ladies have made
They give the flowers away"
cie "God bless them" whispered
IN. princess, reverently, her face bur
among her roses.
eyes, God bless them" echoed r
only the words were not mere ech
and she kissed the thin face, and W
her work went and SAL down at the v
dow where air and sunlight were
cluded.
lLy The princess lay back on her pill
caressing the flowers. Their fragra
softly filed the room. 1t was such '
small room that very few would b
,ral sufficed for that very thin, m
nu- shrunken little room, and gave the lie
rect to that brave old saying, "The
always room at the top"
4 "Ruth," spoke the princess, at lent
! . "the flowers are getting tired"