Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1888-05-17

Barbara gleefully recounted her adj
ventures at the McStuffums' to her
brothers and sister.
She had found the drawing rot ms
.'such chaos of gilt frames and
crude colors. with perfectly hope
less carpet" But she had tried to
make the best she could out of things.
Not without struggle she had pre-
vailed on Mrs. McStuffum to have
some of the 'lively paintings hung
in less conspicuous places. and en-
cravings and etchings hung in their
stead. Curtains had been redraped.
and few really choice books put
where they could be seen. while vari-
Gus cheap and gaudy ornaments had
been consigned to oblivion. She had
pulled chairs around so that they
would look as if intended to be sat
upon. and, best of all. spread beau
tiful Persian rug over the obnoxious
carpet. In fact it was impossible to
| describe all the changes she had
wrought, or the delight of both Mr..
and Mrs. McStuffum. They had en-
gagged her to come every week Ito see
that things were kept all right" And
then it was a proud little Barbara
who exhibited five-dollar bill to her
admiring brothers and sister:
This engagement led to Others.
Barbara had number of friends pos
sessed of ample means, who were only
too glad to avail themselves of her
weIl-known taste and skill in house
lna>notion W ho thoy a
little shocked at first at her new de-
parture; but this feeling soon gave
way before her enthus iasm and sue
| cess.
She entered into an agreement with
several reliable business establish
ments. by which she received a COM
mission on goods purchased. and in
this way the monthly bills lost their
| terror for herself as we'll as for Jack.
Barbara had been engaged in her
ne ~ enterprise for about four months.
when she one day received an order
for work in the library of a DR.. Wor-
cester. He wrote that he had recently
! come into possession of large num-
Der of valuable books, and, having
had new shelves made, he wished to
rearrange and classify his whole
! library.
Here was work after Barbara's own
heart. She was passionately fond of
books, AMI declared she always re-
ceived inspiration from contact even
with their covers. Her fertile imag i
nation pictured to her mind the schol-
! arly old gentleman whose acquaint-
ance she was about to make, to tn cir
mutual benefit.
Il know by his letter that he is a
delightful gentleman of the old school.
Think what a chance shall have for
improving my mind!' she exclaimed
rapturously to Jack.
But. much to Barbara's disappoint-
m mt. on reaching the doctors fine
residence the next day., she was told
by the comfortable. motherly house.
keeper, Mrs. Boardman. that DR..
Worcester had been obliged to leave
home unexpectedly. However he
hoped Miss Bedford could work with
out him, as he was extremely deslrous
of having his books arranged as soon
as possible, and he had left full direc'
tions, as to the manner of classified
ton, ETC., in writing.
| Having told her this. Mrs. Bordman
led Bar bara into q spacious. richly.
furnished room, which our young
friend inwardly pronounced utterly
perfect for n library" From the cheer
full wood fire burning on the tiled
hearth, to the rich Persian rugs on the
highly polished floor; the rare engrav-
ings and etchings on the wall, to the
exquisitive draperies. OF be autiful and
unique objects of art and antiquity
decorating various mantels and
shelves. nothing was lett to be desired
except order. For an endless array
of books. piled in huge stacks on
floor, chairs. and other av ALA bic space,
were waiting to be placed OIL the bare
shelves. NJ any of these were curious
old works in musty leather. and Others
in vellum that would drive a biblio-
maniac mad indeed.
| 1.-The doctor never allows me tt
touch as much as magazine in thi:
ROOM" tsaid Mrs. Boardman. .:
hardly understand how he came to en-
gage you. although / do not wonder
this prospect appalled, him. Some
thing in your advertisement took his
fancy; but l suppose you are much
younger than he thought you would
be-" she concluded. looking doubt.
fully at Barbara's trim little figure.
and decidedly bewiching face
Barbara hastily ass ured her that she
was quite accustomed to this sort o.
occupation. And having carefully
read her directions. she proved the
truth of this statement by going to
work so understandiugly and ener
getically, that, after the housekeepel
had watched her for short time, she
shrewdly decided she could safely
withdraw. and left Barbara il
proud and happy possession o
the apartment. She fitted about
the books. like bee among flower:
| Go use trite expression), smiling
with satisfaction as she worked. and
so absorbed did she become. that she
did not hear hasty step in the hall,
or an exclamation of surprise from
Mrs. Boardman. Nor did she notice
the entrance of rather good looking
young man, who. for his part, did no.
tice the charming picture Barbara
made, as she stood in her white dres:
with her arms full of books, in from
of a hideous Eastern idol. who grinned
Indignantly at the shapely head
crowned with golden curls caught NJ
with silver shaft. and the big blue