The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-01-15

softly droned, aftet the style of the man.
ager of a side show at country circus.
"Ladies and gentlemen, step up and see
the pozzuolana baby. Only 10 cents q
head!'
Four dainty gloved hands were prompt
ly extended, each holding q silver dime
between thumb and iorefngcr. Four come
ly feminine faces bent forward in blissful
expectation, when Elizabeth swiftly de.
scended upon them, looking. l dare say,
like pretty little Jezebel, white and ter
rible in her. wrath.
80, you dreadful, dreadful girl Next
you'll he selling the silky locks on her dear
little head or drawing the precious drops
OF blood from her darling veins and trad
ing them off for shoddy jewelry or red cot
ton velvet gaitersl" Elizabeth had gath
cred our wee daughter into her arms while
she was speaking, contriving with wom-
ans cunning, in the midst OF her wrath,
not TO expose so much as a line of the
dainty features as she did so. And you,"
she continued, addressing the startled
group OF women, ''what manner of lady is
that who will condescend to purchase from
nurse girl privileges that are denied by a
mother" n
"To think of our baby, this precious,
darling little girl, being exhibited TO those
wonderland heaven knows how many
others-like a tattuoed Hottentot or an
educated pig, at 10 cents head" cried
Elizabeth, rs she rccounted the incident TO
me that evening, Ind hercy blazed again
rs she spoke. g.
We held a council of war forthwith. /
favored throwing up the house at once;
but Elizabeth, who cooled down pcrcept-
bly, when she hadstransierrcd her griev-
ance TO me, pointed "in CONSERVATION TO
the terrible prospect before our baby in
case we took such a step. We had really
begun TO get on In the world. The saving
OF rent and ear fare was beginning to tell;
and then the baby, instead OF being an adj
diiion to our expenses, had actually been
a help. II was surprising how many little
things, hitherto regarded as indispensable
we had found il pleasure 10 do without
for her sake.
''lf Tom only knew" Iexclaimcd. Gle
means all right"
81 have it," she cried; "let him find out
for himself"
looked at her inquiringly aud she I'M.
folded her plan. We would invite him Ia
come and spend month with us. There
was the pretty guest chamber unoccupicd
and-it was close TO the entrance. She
would do the homework herself during
his stay. (llulda had taken the afternoon
boat up the riyer) My dyspepsia would
PROSTATE me when at home. Tom should
have all his iavoritc dishes and, with his
customary gallantry would be sure TO read
lily relieve her Of the duty Of entertaining
our unbidden guests when he was in the
house.
our plan was consummatcd without de.
lay. Tom walked into the trap with such
giilelcssncss and cordial appreciation OF
our hospitality that felt like traitor.
Elizbcth's prophecies were also fulfilled.
lie did the honor Of the house with q
warmth and readiness that put our more
stilted courtesy 10 shame. hut IL somehow
happened at the frst that the rush was
least and the incest people were sure 10
put in an appearance during the hours OF
Toms presence aud W. were appalled, Ia
hear him congratulate Elizabeth on the
second day OF his stay upon the agreeable
| diversion that the entertainment of such
| pleasant guests must create in her quiet
home life.
On the third night after Toms installa
ton rs an integral member of our house
hold, the unusual throng of evening
visitors ceased about 10 O'Clock. aud We
hnstcncd 10 bed 10 rccupcratc our strength
and prepare for the disturbance Of our rest
| in the morning. Somewhere between ~
and O'Clock we wcrc all aroused from a
sound slumbcr by tremendous peal oi
the front door-bcll. ! will explain that
the bell was one Of those ingenious Attain.
that have gong on the inside Of the door
aud can be- muiiied or intensified al
pleasure by few turns Of screw. Al
the decrease Of sound is somewhat Of pro
portion to the square of the distance III
my philosophy il nj fault II must bc nj
trbutcd to the time which has interviewed
between my collegiate aud work-a-dnN
life. IL IL only reasonable 10 suppose thai
the sound must have been little short %
terrific in the front room where Tom slept
| was about 10 spring out Of bed from
force Of habit, WHEN felt tight grip on
the sleeve Of my nighl-robc.
Don't YOU dare, Juhnl Can't YOU un
dcrStand2 ] did II ON purpose"
"Did what, my DEAR"
Turned on the ball - II would rous,
the seven slcepers. It's sure 10 wax
him" 'r
And suro enough, nj that very moment
We heard through crack Ia the door
which Elizabeth hal pulled little ajar
the sound Of quiSk steps in the hall nnC
Toms excited voice.
"What in thunder is the matter? tir
or MURDER
woman's voice answered clear and in
cisiyc, with n metallic ring 1--WE hay'
come to see the pozuolana house"
Good l.ordl'
This eloquent remark may OF may no
have been distinctly audible 90 those out
side. out Of consideration for the baby, NJ
Tom aitcrward explained, he decided 20 d,
the honon Of the occasion, and after max
ing n hnsty toilet lin the dark. lac spccdil,
returned 10 the door aud began 20 shoy
the party around, touching mp the gas jet
~ hc went
The party consisted of an elderly nader
lady (shc Of the yoiccl with the unmi-tak
able Boston stamp; quiet elderly gentle
man. who seemed q somewhat insigniii
cant fnct'r and a stylishly aitircd youn
lady, whose face was ~ cnycl0pcd h
heavy folds Of lace, flung about her lac
~ n protection from the night air, tina
her features were not plainly visible.
Tom patiently led the way from room 4
room, aud the visitors commented frccl
upon the taste displayed Ia the iuruishin
aud adornmcnls When they reached lh
sitling.room, where the magazines AM
papers We had been reading during th
evening still encountered the table, th
young girl reached forward and curiousl
examined the contents 81 Elizabeth
work basket, ON which lay q tiny pair q
baby socks with holes IN the toes.
"llow sweet and how very rcal!' sh