New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-02-22
ROWENY IN BOSTON
III.
INVITED TO A SEA-ANTS.

idSb Sie SHOULD
The fire had long since gone ont IN her sto'e'
It seemed miles away, in an undiscovered anu
dreadful country, that the supply of klndiing
and coal probably was kept.
She did not dare to turn on the gas lest some
thing should EXPLODE. She knew that there was
nothing gas liked so well as exploding. She wouiu
get small kerosene lamp that very day. Wneh
kerosene exploded she knew where she was, OF
thought she did, which was equally comfortlhs'
She dressed herself in the semi-darSness' WIN
shawl wrapped about her she went out into thc
narrow musty hall and leaned over. listening
An Irish servant girl came out of the room or
p04ite and brushed indltferently by her ko"eha
wished she dared to ask If she might come DOWN
and get some wood and coal, but the girl went
dumping down fight after flight, and Roweha
could not speak The house was as mysterious
to her as any Radcliffe Castle. Once, when some
door was slammed open far down in the abyss, sie
heard trghtful sound and did not know that IL
was the milkman's call. She wondered II she
should always be trying not to cry
Presently there were more steps somewhere
IN the halls She heard Mrs Jarviss voice ask
ing somebody where them tickets WERE" ana
then inquring if the reg'lars had begun to come
in yet She could not hear the replies She
told herself that her Uncle Reuben must be more
Of regular than otherwise, since he was there
at certain times. The cabbage odor of the day
before had become stagnant now. and the active
perfume was that of frying liver and Lacon, With
something thai was probably called coffee Row
ena did not care whether she ever ate not. She
had no oil for her little lampstove, and no coal
She could not imagine when she should have
any breakfast But sue could not swallow food
She knew that she must go down to tile ground
H. G1p Ia g.
part of her meme.
My darling home" she said in a whisper. AMI
twisted her hands in her shawl
What if Reuben Little had eaten already and
gone?
She started hastily but she was obliged to go
slowly it was dark. and she was sure there
rents in the stair carpets A. she went on
the smell of bacon became stronger and the sounds
of dishes rafting louder. And this was Boston
At last she finished her cautious descent and
stood in the hall into which the street-door was
opttling constantly to admit what she supposed
to be the reglars. Each deposited ticket
with Mrs Jarvis, ~ho sat at a small table IN
the open doorway into the pcrlor. Nearly all
of this ladys patrons Of those who are obliGe9
be at their work al o'clock.
There was the most reduced fame Of gas going
at the mouth ot tie one burner which stood out
from tie wall high up toward the dingy ceiling.
This blue fame revealed the fact that every one
who came in covered with snow. Few had
umbrellas There was hasty stamping Of feet
4 firging down of hats deliver OF tickets ard
then a russ down the stairs into the basement
Ii seemed to Rowena she stood there shrink
inyly that nearly all o: these were girls. Where
did they all come from? What were they doing
As they went by her each gave her one swift
cold glance
Mrs Jarvis was constantly saying good-morn-
ing" in dry impcrsonal tone. She kept her
tickets in piles. She a waddcd, loose morn
ing gown. 1t so much wadded and had such
a large pattern of palm leaves on IT, together
with hitherto uncassiiied tropical fruit, that
the wearer looked very much II she had wrapped
her bcd-comfortcr about her. The Pompadour
roll on the top of her head exactly as it
was the night before that Rowena gazing trem-
ulously at it. felt almost sure that il must have
been taken of and put in box before its owner
retired.
In a u in the arrivals Mrs. Jarvis leaned
back YEARLY in her chair and her wandering
glance rested upon Rowena. She said goodmorn-
ing a.ain this time with slight show OF interest.
The girl hurreGiy advanced.
Do you know whether my uncle, Mr.. Little has
come in yet ?' She asked quickly.
Il don't think so goodmorning. Miss Chute
os pallid girl in long, straight "gossamer,'
deposited her ticket. and then almost ran down
the stairs.
hope haven't missed him." said Rowena, IN
a low, strained voice
Il presume not: presume he will soon be
here. Did you sleep well. Miss Miss
"Tuttlc, said Rowena, feebly
Bat Mrs Jarvis did not hear her. So 1c ody
"a but IL of nt[-f Vp lEet
for So This person was stou, young man with
an ulster 50 long that it draggled about his heels
Rowena had stepped into the parlJr and was stand
ing directly behind Mrs Jarvis, leaning over
that laly's chair and watching the door eagerly
She did not see the young man But he watched
Ter quite lntcntly AS he put the tickets into his
pocket she uttered cry and pushed out into the
hail again
Hello Roweny!" cried Uncle Reuben, stamping
his feet brskly. Bright n early. amt ye?
Grand snowsiorm. Guess Phil Rarrc' III wish yop
could Try his sleigh. If this keeps up | sh'll have
TO 20 back Oh runners OF course, you amt got
to goin' yet Come dowr to breakfast with me
I've got lots Of tickets. | amt in any hurry
How do you like Bors,on?'
Rowena caught the mans hand and held IT fast
Il hate Boston" she answered, with subdued
violence.
That's cause YOU amt got to runnin' yet
You'll think df'runt in day or two"
Uncle Reuben spoke 50 comfortably that the
girl felt Gained She went downstairs with him
By this time the outward flow had set in: but pco-
pie were constantly filling up the empty places.
Rowena did not see single face there was for her
only confused nightmarelkc medley of human
beings, good deal of heavy. muchchipped white
COOKERY, n lavish provision OF food and drini<
some TALKING AMI laughing two black haired Irish
girls running back and forth between kitchen
and dining room, tc,rng plates and cups and sau-
GERS
Mr.. Reuben Little felt that he was doing the
honors of Boston lie conversed ahably with
a stout young man opposite who had taken OFF