Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-03-28
HER SPHERE.
Miss Susan's Fortune and the
Trouble It Caused Her.

ga fortunei Miss Susana Nonsense,
Herbert, why do you say such childish
things!'
"a child is supposed to speak simple,
unvarnished tale, isn't itl Well, my ad-
miring mother, that is just what am doing.
Miss Susan, tell you, has had fortune
left her."
SPY whomr
"Ah, now your curiosity comes to the res
cue of your unbehef; you grant me, then,
that Miss Susan has had fortune left her!"
Il would grant you a box on the ear, if
my hands were not so busy Just now, for
teasing me about matter that you must
know am sincerely interested in"
Mr.. Herbert Johns handsome mother
threw enough reproach into her tone to
bring the young man to more sober speech
He landed his chair safely on its four legs,
after pirouetting 1t around on one, and left
off bantering his mother. eyes, madame,
il good earnest, her California uncle has
left her SO, 000."
SIS it possiblel l wonder what the good
soul will do with it! l really am afraid,
Herbert, that the change at her time Of life
viii make her unhappy"
Then l hope, mother, that you will sug-
gest TO her TO give it to me. 1t would not
make me unhappy, I assure you"
But Mrs. Johns was not far wrong. Miss
Susan Park had learned the dress making
trade while she was girl in her teens. She
was an old maid of forty now, doing an ex-
ceilent business, getting dollar and a-haf
a day, and laying by little something every
year. She was entirely content with her
lot. The California lawyers letter had up
set her whole plan of life. Instead of be-
coming the beneficiary of the Old Ladies'
Home for the consideration of three hun
dred dollar entrance fee, which had hereto
fore been her earthly mbitlon, Miss Susan
now felt both the pleasure and the respon-
sibility of a possible benefactress. And
what, indeed as Mrs Johns had said, should
she do with itl
I'm thinking Of setting up an orphan
asylum, ma'am," Mss Susan said IN an
swer to the kind lady, the next time she
went to her for days sewing.
- An orphan asylumH' exclaimed Mrs.
Johns, in natural surprise The cid maids
cheek was still fresh enough to color deep
ly.
"Yes'm, love childer, an l think I'd
hardly want TO go to Heaven, if l could
have dozen of them, with blue eyes, and
eurls, and white dresses, in my house all
the time"
This was the old maids first dream of
what to do with her money Mrs. Johns
had not the heart TO break in upon it with
cruel facts, of dirty, wiilful, Unruly, dis
eased, ungrateful little creatures, such as
she well knew fell to the lot of most orphan
Rsylums. She only said: Don't be hasty,
Susan, take some time to look around you
before you make up your mind.''
"Well, Miss Johns" said the heiress,
plaintively, some weeks later, ''Im glad
enough | took your advice about looking
around bit before l set out for an orphan
asylum. l went to the Home of the Help
less, told 'em what l was thinkin' about,
and asked them TO let me stay few days
and look round. But lands sake! could
hardly stick it out Tor two days. ] didn't
have an idee that chihier was so noisy and
so pesteriu'. If i was younger may be |
could get used to 'em. but it wouldn't suit
me now, no way"
There was something in Miss Susau's de-
cided tone which suggested to her patrons
sharp ears that some other object had risen
above the old maids horizon, and she
promptly turned her glass upon it.
"WeIl, ves'm,' reluctantly admitted Miss
Susan. II did get hold of aplap that it
seems likely would just suit; the doctor at
the house says they're awful short of
nurses; he says, says he, you'd make
good lady superior. Sister Susan 1t does
sound a little popish, but we would't wear
crosses nor black walls, nor nothin' like
that" She looked anxiously at Mrs. Johns;
her approval had been Miss Susau's law for
so many years that she could not be COM
Portable without it. But that lady shook
her head sagaciousiy. Don't you get your
self pledged to a nurses life till you've tried
it, she said, warnIngly; remember the
orphans" Miss Susan was evidently dis
appointed at her friends lack of enthusiasm,
but agreed TO take nurses position at once
and put herself to the proof
Mother" SAID Mr.. Herbert Johns, CON-
ing into her dressing room one day, Ibid
you set Miss Susan Park up for nurser
mo, my DEAR" answered the lady, trying
vaguely TO recall what she had done in the
matter; 'but why's She hasn't poisoncdany-
body, hope"
Mr. Herbert picked ont his favorite chair
and then sat down 10 enjoy good laugh. Il
ran across the good soul to-day at Mr.. Ian
casters. who, by the way, is very sick, and
of all the sights she was the most absurd;
gotten up in some fanciful costume of cap
and cape, and SO on.
How did she seem 10 be getting on?"
asked his mother.
"Well, / was there about eleven O'clock"
he answered, taking out his watch and re-
carding it attentively; lit is now two, and
III eat my hat If one or the other of that
Duet isn't stark crazy by this time, but I'd
make safer bet on Miss Susan herself"
"Oh, Herbert, what sort Of speechls thati
Do tell me what you meant
y mean,'' said ne, with an effort TO look
reasonable, that Miss Susan has about as
good an idea of nursing as blacksmith,
aud felt obliged 10 go and tell DIR. Carr so.'
1t was some time before Miss Susan could
be coaxed back TO Mrs. Johas' house, but
the tide Of confession set in at last: Yes,
Ike to went crazy at the job; the doctor
told me so many things TO 90 and not 10 90.
that was all IN rnuddle, and then, bless
your life, the sick man wouldn't let me do
sny thing. He just swore at me and told
me 10 let him alone, and go about my busl-
ness. Now, you know never could stand
with my hands folded doing nothing, so
tried TO tip around and tidy UP things bit
on the sly, but la NE, I'd as soon % into
wild beasts den as try to nurse sick man
again"
Little by little came further confessions;
,Iiss Susanhad thoughtof making a home /.