The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1886-03-03

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Reception.
LIFE OF LUXURY.
A little French gilt ti,nepiece ticking
away the minutes in an upper room 0!
one of Murray hills fine residences
struck the half-hour beyond 9 o'clock on
q recent morning. and while its deep
cathedral note yet echoed upon the ali
there was a sudden movement among
the lace hangings Of brass bedstesd
standing in recess of the same apart
ment and a woman's face looked forth.
The room was full of pretty things.
warm with the blaze of hickory fire,
and brilliant with the dazzling winter
sunshine, which, fltering through the
draperies of the broad windows, lay in
patches of light on floor snd furnish
fngs, but there was nothing one-half SO
pretty. so warm. or so brilliant, no pict-
ure so sunny or dazzling within the four
walls, as that made by this same face.
the face of young and lovely woman,
which, flushed from the pillows downy
caress, the ewes dewy with sleep. and
the rumpled chestnut hair framing the
whole in sweet confusion looked out to
see what had awakened its owner.
s-Oh, it's you, you chattering little
clock" as her eye fell upon the telltale
hands, then, before she sank back into
her nest, she leaned out to touch an
electric button within easy reach. A
moment and a soft knock preface1 the
entrance of neat-looklng middle-aged
woman in cap and apron.
Good morning, Barker" came from,
the pillows. My bath. please;" and
Iarker opened q second door and dis
appeared. In three minutes she was
back standing at the bedside with a
bath gown of thick, soft flannel and g
pair Of low shoes, warm and woolly.
The Young woman got up, suffered the
flannel garment to be thrown over her
lace and cambria night dress, thrust two
white feet into the wsdded shoes, ano
crossed to the bathroom.
Barker only waited to take from
various drawers and presses an outfit OF
feminine apparel, finished with an en-
broidered muslin combing gown whose
ribbons were OF the same pale-pink hue
as tinted the silken stockings, before
she vanished a second time, and the
room was left to the clock and the fire,
with occasional mutfied splashings from
the naiad in her tas.
But not for long. The hall door un-
closed again to admit q tall old negress.
black a. Ercbus, her head bound in 9
brilliant bandana. She shuff1ed to the
door of the bathroom and knocked.
..Ez YOU ready, honey?
'.In moment, NANNY. sounded!
from within; then:
..You NAV come now," and once
more the fire and clock had it all their
own way in the outer apartment.
Next Barker reappcared bearing a
silver tray, on which was cup OF bouil'
lon with some wafer-llke crackers. She
had scarcely placed her tray upon a
stand and wheeled a luxurious Turkish
chair before the cracking fire when the
inner door was flung wide open and,
fresh from her plunge and glowing with
mammy's vigorous massage, Beauty
came out, her flannel gown wrapped
warmly about her and her beautiful
hair still closely snooded in its oilskin
cap.
She sank with supple grace into heI
waiting chair, the stand with its light
refreshment quickly lifted to her side
then, as the fire cleaned too ardentlly
on the soft. clear skin, Barker inter;
posed glass screen. which tempered
the flames fervor, while it took nothing
from its cheerful light.
While the bouil:or was slipped and the
crackers muncned nanny brought q
low hassock. upon which she drew Eel
Young mistress feet, and with gentle
caressing touch pat aside the waddeo
shoes and incased each slender ankle
and arched instep in its silken covering
using silver Shoe-horn of exquisite
workmanship to spring the little satir
slipper to its place.
Then mademoiselle stood up while the
black hands went deity on with The
task they loved so well.
..You's jest like ez if you was baby
vet. honey" the old woman said. pat
ing the lovely shoulders which ross
smooth and dimpied above the cobwet
chemise; and, Deed, I wish you was.
as she slipped the clinging petticoat 0
knitted silk over her charges head:
Mademoiselle laughed, and the dress
ing went on till. the last ribbon of th'
muslin gown tied. NANNY was forced
reluctantly enough to resign her nurs
lino to another's care.
For. Barker had not been idle during
the robing process. The bou!llon tray
and stand were gone; low dressing
table whose beveled mirror was the per
lection Of reflective excellence had beer
turned to catch the proper light, al
armless chair placed before it, and now
aanked by her implements Of Office
rows of silver~mounted brushes ant
combs, steel pins. pomades, and per
furiel water-lhe priestess Of the hair
dressing ceremonial awaited her victim
Madsmoiselie seated herself, barke
slipped of the oi.Skin cap. loosenet
some pins, letting tie veil of chestnu
hair fall in wavy richness quite to tn
floor. and began her work. As the tire
woman labored her mistress let her eye
stray idly before her, and her giane