The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1891-11-06
HOUSE TO LET.

Spencer. lu6 Wllu lttStieQAh ~ "A
! poplar trees, the muslin curtains tapped
in the draft. Old Dorcas, the colored
servant, went on sprinkling the pillow
cases on the pine table in the corner.
give seen it coming this long time"
said Selma. "The landlord has been as
good and considerate as possible
DE landlords an old harpyi" said Dor
cas-. "Lan'lords allays isl"
mo, he's not" persisted Selma. We
W him eight months rent already, and
do not know how he is ever to get his
money l would offer him the piano
and the carved rosewood parlor set, if
thought they would possess any value III
his eyes-in part payment | mean.
Dorcas rolled up the coffee colored
whites of her eyes.
DAT piano as was Miss Adelaide's
when frs she come from Baltimo' board
ing SCHOOL," said she. dat lubly fun
chure as was made to order in Annapolis!
No, Miss Lina-not wiz dis chile's con
sentl''
And she rolled a thin old damask ta-
BILE cloth very tight and packed it into
the basket with emphasis.
Mamma must know nothing of this,
Dorcas," said Selma sadly.
Dunno how you'se gwine to keep it
from her, Miss Lima"
st q be done, Dorcas. I've thought
it all out" said the girl. She must be
made to suppose that she's going to spend
a few days with my employers at New
port
Has dey done asked her, Miss Lima"
NO, you goose! | don't suppose that
they even know that I've got a mother.
| am only a typewriter and stenographer
in their eyes, and render my services at
so much a day. Mrs. Plinlimmon is
known all through New York as a fe-
male philanthropist, but while she's
helping poor immigrants out of the
slums and rectifying the slopshop ques-
ton, she don't appreciate that a we'll
dressed southern lady may be in sore
straits. But she'll make as good a fig
urehead as any other
Miss Lima" said Dorcas, after a brief
silence, during which she rolled and
sprinkled, patted and folded with I'M
ceasing vigilance.
"Well?"
Il knows whar l could git four dol
lars a week for laundress, or five for
cook. T'ink O dat, Miss Lima
"Do you want to leave us, Dorcas?
The old woman uttered a subdued
groan. Lord knows it amt dat, Miss
Lima! Lord knows it's honor enough to
work for de ole Spencers! But it's
money we uns wants-an cherry cent o
de ole woman's wages, deyll come back
to ole missus and Miss Lima"
The long lashes dropped over Selma
Spencer's lovely hazel eyes. Its of no
use. Dorcas,' said she. We've got to
bend before the storm. Hushl Do you
hear that tapping
Somebody knocking at de dor cried
Doreas. Why On arr don't dey ring de
bell?'
No. Selma, OBTAINING her as she
was about to answer the supposed sum
mons. "It's the agent putting up the
TO Let But whatever happens, Dor
cas-, don't let mamma know
She rose, and getting up her hat and
gloves, went up the wide, gloomy old
staircase. Dorcas looked after her and
shook her turbaned head
"Meks b'lieye she's pow'ful braver"
muttered she. tTinks ole Dorcas dunno
she's cryin dis berry minute! Why didn't
she marry Mars George Berkeley when
he axed her an sabe herself all this trou-
ble?:"
Up in the dimly lighted sitting room
Mrs. Spencer sat, a faded belle of the
olden days. The piano was open, the
window was full of carefully tended
plants; a pink shaded lamp burned OF
the table. and Mrs. Spencer herself was
engaged in erewel work with slow. Ian
guild fingers.
"You are later than usual tonight, Sc
lima" said she fretfully. perhaps your
idea of a dutiful daughter is different
from mine, but | think any amount Of
Shakespeare and Browning classes
oughtn't to take so much of your time
away from your mother.
Il stopped to give Dorcas orders in the
kitchen, mamma" Selma cheerfully
answered. "But I'm all ready now,
What shall | read to you until the tea
comes up"
w ell, SdlI IAS pun ltuy 4GSDI9t 1Q
like a few chapters Of the Scottish
Chiefs 1t was the first novel my dear
papa ever allowed me to read-and in
my opinion your 'Ouidas' and 'Braddons'
don't come neal it"
And while Selma read out the trials of
Helen Mar and Bruce the brave, she
wondered how on earth she should man
age about showing the house to the eager
sightseers who would be sure to be at
tracted by the legend "To Let" on the
morrow.
Cant go in dat ar roomt" said Dor
cas-, interposing her stout figure between
a hard featured house hunter and the
door Of Mrs. Spencer's boudoir Oats
private, dat ar Isl"
Anything wrong in the room" sharp.
ly questioned the woman.
Nom" stolidly responded Doroas.
Ceilings cracked? Water pipes
BURST"
"No'm."
Then why can't | see itT" with u
sudden push in that direction
She might as well have attempted to
charge a battery of artillery. Old Dorcas
stood immovable.
Lady amt well, mum" said she.
Can't nobody go in dat room? Tole yon
20 afore!'