New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-09-15
AFTERNOON COMPANY.
MR., GEORGE, THE OTHER POLLARD
BOARDER.

members OF tne company were 1Ormeu 10 Dcdr WV
ure. There some objects which defy description.
Mr.. George one OF these objects. have noticed
that in proportion thing is indescribabe people
are, so to speak, possessed" TO describe It. / am
thus possessed in reference to this young man, VINO
the " other Pollard boarder.'
1t is true had had glimpse of him in striped
flannel and sash when had first tried my camera
II he had at that time glass in his eye had
not noticed Ii. Now he appeared with m0nocle
screwed In in such way that IL made you vince
with sympathetic discomfort TO look at him. He was
in evening dress with an immense expanse OF shirt
'front.' and petuna in his buttonhOle. He must have
taken that petunia from one Of the beds In the yard
As we went out 10 the supper-table Mr. George
deliberately held open the door for and smiled, as
well he could with that glass, at Mrs. Minor when
she passed him.
Mrs. Pollard was at one end of the table and Miss
Pollard at the other. The latter had her hand up
10 her French twist. 1t turned out, 10 my great
satisfaction, that got next to Mrs. Minor Mr.
George was opposite. He was so Respondent that
he almost like electric light IN the low, homely
room. l could hardly bear TO look at him. On the
contrary, Mrs. Minor kept her eyes on him great
deal, with interrogative expression. Finally she
turned to me and Informed that her young friend
said he lost II he didn't dress for dinner even
when It wasn't dinner but was only supper.
She smiled at him she said this, and he gave an
adoring glance in return, we'll he could with
what he had in his eye.
There was absolutely not word spoken for several
minutes. We had all eaten one biscuit and one bit
Of cold tongue when Mrs. Minor uttered an exclama-
ton.
Pardon me, Mr.. George she remarked, "but l
have Just found out what is the matter with your ap
pearance."
This was very impollte, but Mrs. Minor could be
impote it appeared. The gentleman blushed.
at IS your eye glass;" went on Mrs. Minor calmly
taking another biscuit 1t is your eye-glass' ana
the fact that you have keep thai eye closed all the
time. Do you think it pays! I suppose You bought
It IN the city to-day, Do they all wear them with
one eye shut?"
From her voice and manner one would have said
Mrs Minor saying the most complimentary things.
Your mother will be sorry have you ruin your eye
sight" she concluded.
did not know Mr. George well enough to know
his countenance when he going to cry, but
Judged from his look that he felt like crying now.
1t was cruel My heart hardened toward this lady
who could say such dreadful things Was she punish
ing him for anything?
She turned to me and said in low voice that Miss
Ripley would probably sing this evening; she would
probably sing the "WOunded Hussar.n Had ever
heard the Wounded Hussar" MOI Then had
new experience awaiting me. Did play any musical
instrument? If did 1 should be invited TO play on
Mrs. Pollard's seraphne. II was UNI
acquainted with that kind Of instrument
1 had another surprise in store This particular
seraphine had been the property of the daughter OF
Mrs PollaIds only sister. The sister and daughter
had died. Mrs Minor did not know whether they |
had died because of the scraphine or not. Perhaps,
when had heard it / might think it was sufficient
for death.
Mrs. Minor continued TO talk all through the meal |
Mr.. Pollard not present. The lady near me gave
the explanation as to his absence by quoting from |
the gentleman: In bOarder time" he ate with |
the family. for he said, it too late for him 10
begin to learn to take his vctuas of tine tip end |
OF fork His folks might If they wanted to, |
but he'd got t. be ncUrished somehow
d" so,' said Mrs. Minor, Mr. Pollard takes HIS food |
In the summer kitchen there. without witnesses"
After supper Miss Pollard came heSitangly toward |
me- She looked 50 distressed that 1 involuntarily |
glanced TO SEQ If the twist of her hair loosened
No, it bore the same compact and CLASSY aspect.
She wiped her lips and fdgeed for several minutes
before she said:
o guess you'll think strange We amt arst you to |
take a picture while the high l hope you |
don't feel hurt? Wall, I'm glad If you don't You're |
sure you don't feel hurt the least bit2 We wouldn't
have you think you sighted for anything in the
world. But you see, Mr. George he told us he'd |
take group right in the parlor, m the seraph!ne m
all by what he called a flash light, If you'd lend him
your tripod or mebbe faint tripod; whatever tits,
any way"
for my reply. 1t was evident she had counted on
flash light as her best of entertainment. She
breathed meOdramatic sigh Of relief when she was
assured that the camera at her service.
Everybody had now come back into the parlor,
and We standing helpessy around. all Mrs.
Minor whose trail moving here and there over
the cubes Of the carpet, while her easy voice spoke
laughing sentence to this one and that. heard
Mrs Peters telling Mr. George about the potato rot
for nj m he still !
from Mrs. Minors words His petunia was also be-
ginning TO droop. l convinced that he would
give worlds take out that eyegla5s; but he hardly
knew whether TO take it keep It in Ills state
If mind was pitiable could not but hope he would
,evive when the time came for the fash licht.
Soon as twilight came on l heard some one speak
IF song. Miss Ripley heard also, for she mmedi
,tey took her roll of music from the seIaphne, where
t had reposed through the long after
noon. Mrs Minor sauntered over to NO.
he looked at me but she did not speak Mnty fol
owed her and put her hand through the lady's arm.
lr George was gooming, like novel hero in the door
yay. Somebody was instructing somebody else how
0 make pcalllli, and saying she might leave the
loves out If her husband so against cloves.
Lizzie came IN with very tall lamp, which had a
cry small blaze. She set the lamp down a mat
lade for Il and awaiting 1t on the instrument"
urcpttously put her hand 10 her hair and seated
ersclf. Mrs. Pollard, looking tired and hot, slipped
D and sat down by the door.
There was an air OF expectancy. For a moment no
ne said anything. Then Mrs. Minor asked If we
rere not going to have the pleasure of hearing a
ong from Miss Ripley.
That lady promptly rose with the air Of a Grenadler
,arching 10 battle which Characteristic of her.
Irs Minors black brows arched at me, but she said
othnc.
Lyddy Ripley sat down on the l;c stool and made
he sersphine give preliminary puff and snort
"Jes Think" said Mrs. Peters to her nelghbor,
Iyddy's never took single lesson; she's always
layed.7
1t is considered sign Of superior musician II you
ever took a lesson
II you feel equal to IT, would you give US the
ounded HussaT - as kcd Mrs. Minor persuaSivey.
The instrument whcezed ard struggled under Miss
lpley's energetic feet and fingers. Presently she