The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1886-06-25
LOTTIIl'S SURPRISE.

I'M ~
1t had blown perfect hurricane all
day, and early in the afternoon the rain
had commenced to fall, increasing in
violence until at six o'clock, when Lot
tie started home, the streets were mud
dy and the wind fierccr than ever.
"Oh, how good home will look! she
said to herself, pulling her coat collar
up about her ears, and tucking her mu-
sic-roll securely under her arm. "How
happy ought to be that have it to go
to, even if it is only little room all by
myself. What do poor girls do who
have none. no work, no homeland no
Robcrt!'
Then she laughed shyly to herself
and blushed-a happy rosy blush down
inside the coat-collar, and walked faster
than ever.
Home was quite a distance, but her
fleet steps carried her quickly there,
and the hall-door had flown open in re-
Spouse to her latch-key, when from
somewhere in the darkness near, a
voice came a tremulous. pleading
voice:
"Pity-oh, for the love of God, pity
metz
"Who are you? Where are you?'
asked Lottic, startled, and stopping
right where the hall-light shonc in her
face and dazzIed her eyes.
Here" and from the shadow behind
the door rose a woman's figure-a wom-
an that the next moment also stood in
the light, showing wrinklcd, aged
face and snOw-whitc hair, covered with
a tattcrcd bit of shawl. IL am starv.
ing, and maybe dying. If you have
any pity. give me some food and some
kind of shelter" she said, with Il dcs-
pcratc sort of famishcd eagnrncss.
Il will-oh, will! Come in,'' cried
Lottic, her voice Iuivering, and hcl
eyes shining with the generous pity
that flooded her young heart. Il have
no place can take You To but my room
on the top lloor. Can YOU climb the
stairS?'
For warmth and food? Yes, yes
lead the way, cried the woman eager
ly. looking nj the girl with trembling
delight burning in her hollow eyes. 81
can follow anyw Iere.
But she was aged and weak, and the
four long flights of stairs were slowly
accomplished, Lotto assisting heI COM
panion aS well rs the narrow staircase
would allow, and gong very slowly.
This is my room, she exclaimed ut
last, throwing open the door and lead
inc the painting woman in. ''Slt down
here, and in two minutes the fire will
be ali@ht. Are You very tircd?'
The weary woman could only nod as
she sank into tn chair LOttie gave,
while her Young hostess flew about the
room.
Everything was most eXquisitely neat,
and the little CRATE, brushed and pol
ished. was already laid for the fire. and,
at touch from Lottic's match, blazed
and cracked with amazing brightness.
..Is not that lovely?" She cried, turn
ing to her strange visitor' "NOw you
will soon be warm, and in few min
utes will make you a cup OF tea. Move
nearer, won't your
Apparently speeches. with grateful
amaze and delight. the woman did as
bid. throwing off her wet, tattered
shawl, and holding her wrinkled hands
over the blaze, while hcr eager eyes
still followed every move Lottie made.
II am my own housckeeper you SEE"
continued the girl gaily, as if wishing
to make her visitor less timid and more
at home. Here is my little kitchen;'
and with merry laugh she threw open
the door of Il large closet, showing with
in two ncatly-papered shelves of dishes
and tins, while on II small table below
stood little single-burner oil-stove.
Here bake and BREW" she went on,
lighting the single wick and quickly
putting some water to boil in diminu-
tive tca-kettle; land am just as happy
and independent rs can be. How do
you like it?'
Like itr' echoed the woman. ''Does
it not look like heaven to me? But are
YOU all alone?'
"Ycs, all alone. l have not rela-
tive in the world that know of" said
Lotto, taking off and hanging up her
things, now that she had all things
started. 81 would be very lonesome il
l had the time, but haven't
"Then YOU work you too are
poorp" cried the woman rs though the
surroundings were to her suggestive OF
| wealth and ease.
"Oh yes, | am poor; and yet | am
| rich. for | have health and strength
and good work." sau Lottie, with 4
| world of thankfulncss thrilling her
blithe voice .'In the morning am up
early, and arrange my room and fire.
and have my little breakfast; then
am away all day as a nursery-gover.
ness and music-teacher in Il great house
in the city never have time to be
lonesome, and am very happy"
The woman turned her eyes to the
fire again, and us she steadily and sill.
emily watched the dancing flames, Lot.
tic seized the opportunity of looking al
her closely, when the woman turned, al.
most sharply.
You were studying me. What dc
You think?'
h-why-I-I was wondering-ii
you had always been so poor" STAN
mered Lotto. honest but embarrassed.
The woman laughed, and not un-
unsteady.
NO" she said, 81 was not. But you
are young and am old. therefore LEI
us talk OF you and not of me. Tell me
do you always intend to live so alone
don't you want TO marry?"
| A wave of color, like the warm tint tC
a sea-shcll, covered Lo!tie's sweet face
II am going 10 marry very soon,
she said after moment.
"Are you? And do you mind telling
me about it-and him?" questioned the
woman.
ale is teaching German and French
TO the children that | am nurscry-gOv
erncss to, and we meet t!itr, very often
| know he is good and noble, because
because do. He shows ii in every lool
and act"
.And you love him?"
"Ah yes! Yes. indeed!'
Something in the sweet purity ant