The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1891-04-30
GEORGES MISTAKE.
OF What the Van Duzener Pride
Really Consisted.

OF What the Van Duzener Pride
Really Consisted.
Bar ring an occasional bill or adver-
Using circular. George Mortimers mail
had. as a rule. consisted mainly of GER
tain darling little notes which sweetly
thanked him for flowers or candy; or
told him that the writer would be de-
lighted to accept his invitation to the
theater: or else, that she had a cold
and couldn't go. SO would he ''come
around instead Fancy. then, his dis
may, one misty, mostly morning" as
the nursery rhyme goes. upon finding
beside his breakfast plate in the shabby
clearinghouse dining-room letter adj
dressed, in feminine hand, to be sure.
but not at all the hand which had
penned the darling notes above men,
toned. When Mr.. Mortimer had mas
tered its contents. he was SO upset that
he forgot to eat his breakfast, but set
forth downtown to the Office where he
enjoyed the proud position and slender
salary of assistant bookkeeper, with =
mind full of conflicting emotions. The
accounts must have done themselves
that day, for Mr.. Mortimer has no recol-
lection of rendering any assistance
whatever. And when night arrived, he
got through his dinner with speed
that was simply frightful, and started
for the abode OF his hearts treasure in
violent hurry.
IF only Bella's grandmother, he
thought as he walked along. could
have held on to her bit of property just
little longer. they might have pre-
scented quite a respectable appearance
in the eyes of Aunt Van Duzener; but
rs the old lady has gone broke, and
Bella insists on going to work, I'm
afraid things will look rather rusty to
my proud relation
In short time. Mr.. Mortimer was
seated in the shabbiest, contest little
>itting-room In town. pouring into the
ear of the girl of his heart the most
crazy. incoherent account of the con-
tents Of the letter that could possibly
be imagined. Finally, he wound up
with:
Its insufferable, now, isn't it,
Bcllaa"
Bella's pretty face looked anxious.
If one could read it for ones self,
George"
Certainly And he produced the
letter with an air which plainly said
We are one.
After reading it carefully s.1rangh,
Bella handed il back, saving:
As understand i, the position is
this: Your aunt, Mrs. Van Duzener,
who has been living abroad for three
years for the benefit of her invalid son,
is about to return home on account of
her sons death. She asks you to have
her fine house put in order, servants
hired and so on, and, furthermore, to
relieve her loneliness, she begs you to
make your home with her while she
lives, and you shall receive a just por-
ton of her worldly goods when she
dies. Now, should think that quite
endurable."
Fine, Bella. as far as it goes. Only,
you see" said the young man, with an
apologize air, this aunt of mine is as
proud as Lueifer. Famous for dragging
in the Van Duzener pride, you know,
on all occasions. and"
In fact" said Bella, trying to laugh,
''you think humble person like me
would not be quite in touch with the
Van Duzener pride. ell, George?'
''Candidly." said Mr.. Mortimer, II
don't. So shall decline my aunt's
offer immediately"
You won't do any such thing" said
Bella, promptly. When you are Sc
lucky as to have any relations, don't be
so ungrateful as to turn your back on
them. Your aunt is an old lady, and
perhaps her heart is aching with lone
illness. If your companionship will be
any comfort to her, it is your duty to
give it, As for us, we couldn't marry
at present anyway. Your salary is too
small to take in grandmother, too,
comfortably, and must stay and work
for her. At all events let us each dc
what seems right, and surely some day
fortune will smile upon u.s."
When Mr.. Mortimer said good nigh,
to his sweetheart he was quite con
WINGED that she was little short of ar
angel. She had unselfishly insisted
upon his doing his duty by his aunt.
And only to think" said he to him
self. what jolly good heart she's got
When that shabby old grandmother of
fered-almost insisted, in fact--on go
ing to the Old Peoples home, SO thai
our marriage might be more possible
or SO that Bella might find more lucra
tive employment away from home
what do you think Bella did? She jus
Rugged that shabby old grandmother
and told her never 70 dare to say sue /
n thing again. Yes. sir, she did," Ant
Mr.. Mortimer. in the violence of hi,
admiration, stamped his cane down SC
hard on the sidewalk that he broke it
Bella. when she announced that she
must go to work to maintain her grand
mother and herself. found that the
choice of an occupation, to say nothing
of procuring the employment vhe1
the choice WAS made, was no easy mat
ter
Il can't typewrite,.. thought she, dis
consolately. one morning, soon after
Mr. Mortimer had taken up his abode
with his aunt; land / hate teaching,
and know couldn't sew all day long
and. as to cooking, which seems to be
quite the proper art, nowadays, TO,
nice but impecunious young women
like me, why, that won't do, because
there is such an awful uncertainty
about my culinary performances. !
never can tell until 4 dish is done
whether it will be really good or not.
Well III take . peep at the advertise