The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1886-03-18
MISS NELLIE TORRANCE.


coat-tai,s balanced in either hand. He
was bald-headed old gentleman with =
ruddy complexion, keen black eyes and
leg-of-mutton whiskers which were
white as snow. And Miss Nelly Tor
rance sat looking at him timidly from
the depths Of the big armchair in which
he had beckoned her to seat herself.
$50 you are my cousin Adrian's
daughter r. said he after long pause.
Yes said Nelly, wondering what
was in all those mysterious tin boxes,
and whether the monster iron safe was
full Of gold and silver pieces.
.'And you want something to do?"
.'Yes. please!"
.'Humphr' said Mr.. Brown.
But, she added, with some spirit,
u am not asking for charity. | am
willing to work for my bread!''
.'You mean that you would like to
daub canvas, or sew yellow sunflowers
on green plush screens" satirically
observed the old gentleman. Il don I
call that work
Nor | either" retorted Nelly.
Then what do you mean?" said Mr..
Brown.
Il mean that shall be glad to un-
dertake any sort of honest work BY
means Of which can earn my own liv-
ing
..Humph!" again interjected Mr..
Brown. "Can you cook ?"
Yes" Nelly answered.
Il don't believe it,
sBut can"
VERY well,'' said Mr.. Brown, re-
leasing his coat-tails and sitting down
at his desk as If the question were deti.
nitcly disposed Of. MY cook went
away this morning. haven't engaged
any one in her place. You may come
this afternoon and see what you can dc
for me-
Mr.. Brown fully expected that his
young cousin would recOil Indignantly
from this proposal, but she did nothing
of the sort. She simply said. ''Yes
Cousin JohE," and asked him for his
private address.
mind you're punctual, my dear. =
said he, as he handed her the penciled
card.
Il am always punctual,' calmly re
sponded Nelly.
mir. Brown watched her out of thu
office with qulzzical twinkle in hi.
eyes.
..She won't come" he said to him
self. I've seen the last of my fine re
lation."
And Nelly Torrance went home to 8
little second-flooi room, the. cheapest
which the widow and her daughters
could possibly find.
Mrs. Adrian Torrance was dressed
in black. fair delicate piece of human
china, who had been like the lilies O.
the field, in that she tOiled not, neither
did she spin, and Lucetta, the oldel
daughter, was trying, unsuccessfully
to trim black Grape bonnet, by the
window.
They had come up from the countr,
| at Lucettas $ suggestion to appeal. il
their poverty, to this rich cousin Of til,
dead father and husband, but none o
them anticipated any very satisfactor,
results from the experiment.
These rich people arc always miscr
! ly.' said Miss Lncetta.
..And I've understood" said th,
gentle little widow, ''that he was no
pleased when poor dear Adrian mar
| ried me instead Of Miss Goidbags, th'
rich pawnbroker's daughter"
..Well?' cried Mrs. Torrance eager
~, as Nelly entered.
What does he say?' questione.
Lucetta. dropping the fold of Grape sh,
was vainly endeav0rink to fashion int,
what the fashion-plate called ian oh
long bow"
Il have seen him, said Nelly, unity
ing her bonnet-strings, land m goin,
to his house in. Grandover Park thi
afternoon.
s.You don't mean." cried Mrs. Tor
rance, with spasmodic catching in he
breath. ':that he is going to-adop
you?"
mot in tho least" said Nelly
NOW mamma, darling, don't Jump q
conclusions. just hear my plain. uu
varnished tale. went to Cousin John
told him wanted something to do
He asked me if could cook. Thank
TO that course of lessons once took q
Signor Silverspoon, was able to an
swer yes. Then he told me that hi
cook was gone, and asked me If 1 woul
come to his house this afternoon an
take her place.
..And you gasped Mrs. Torrance
Il said yes, Of course"
Eleanor cried Lucctta, II an
scandalized by your conduct! Yes, per
fectly scandalixed. You will do moth
ing Of the sort.'
.Certainly not.' said Mrs. Torrance
developing strong hystcrical symptoms
If your cousin Brown intend
to insult U.S.
but he doesn't mean to insult as.
pleaded Nelly. He intended the offe
in all good faith. and accepted it ii
the same spirit.
..Yon surely do not mean to degrad
yourself, cried Lncetta. ..by turnin,
-c0ok-f0r any man living!"
II don't see, urged Nelly, ..that
is any more degrading to cook TO
Cousin John than it would be to EN-
broider slippers for him. or read tn
newspaper aloud TO him Of an evening.
.Eleanor never had any propc
pridc,' said Mrs. Torrance. wringin,
her hands.
.Never!" echoed Lucetta.
.And." added Nelly, ..my cousil
would have every right to believe N
an impostor if | told him | wante,
work and then refused the first offer b
made. It will be useless for you t
demonstrate, Lucetta, and hope ma
L III .haA~ Il