The Newtown bee., 1891-10-02

VI haven't had time to wash my lace to- day, let alone comb my hair. What'll you have-ice cream?"
 Mrs Vanderpool assented.
 "Ginger snaps or lemon snaps is all the cake I've got," said the young woman. "Well, we have to take what we can get here. 'Tisn't like the city. You're from the city?"
 Mrs Vanderpool bowed.
 The young woman vanished and short ly returned with a plate of vanilla ice cream and some ginger snaps, napkin and glass of water on tray and, hay ing placed them before her customer, ,seat- ed herself in the other chair and regard ed her steadily.
 '"This is an awful place, "said she. "But here live year in and year out. l mind the store and do the homework and plant the garden and see to the refreshments, while pa goes kiting around in New York. Did you ever hear of such case before?"
 "Lthink not" said Mrs Vanderpool, much amused. "A kind of prodigal fa- ther.'
 "Yon've hit it, |" said the young woman. "And I have to kill the fatted chicken when he comes home, I tell you. He comes to collect all he can ;then off again. As for mel live principally on cold beans and this is my best gown"
 Mrs Vanderpool looked sympathetic.
 "Oh, pa is easel" the young woman continued. "Ma was single and kept this store. She married pa for his beauty and he never did thing afterward. Kit ed around like he does now. He broke her heart flirting but the last thing she said to me was: Take care of poor pa. We'll, I slave and he enjoys himself. He's very stylish. You wouldn't believe he was kin to me in my gingham. Jefferson Norseman is the handsomest man here abouts and am plain and I know it. l take after poor ma in appearance"
 "Jefferson Norseman," repeated Mrs Vandcrpool to herself. But she kept her eyes fixed upon the saucer before her and governed the corners of her mouth as on- ly society women can.
 'I guess you think I am unfilial and cantankerous, "said Miss Norseman, after moments pause, ''but you don't know pa. When he is at home, he is just the meanest and hatefulest-why, nobody dares come near the house to see me. might have married when was 17-even if you are plain, | Youth is taking-but he kicked my beau out. You see he want ed to keep me here to keep shop while he kited about
 A remembrance of the passing mention of the sleeping partnership in certain mercantile establishment here caused Mrs Vanderpool's lips to curve little. Miss Norseman saw it.
 ''I suppose it is funny to other folks, ; said she. Fl almost have to laugh my self; and now he is going to be married ,
 "Are you sure?' asked Mrs Wander pool, smiling again.
 'He says it's all settled,' said Miss Norseman. "He got all he could rake and scrape for new clothes, last week. and sold the horse. She's widow We'll, I don't wonder. Pa, with his com. pany manners on, is taking. His private ways are different. When she sees him with his false teeth out and no padding in his coat, she'll be astonished, l rather think; and what names he can call a body, if things don't suit him''
 "Really, you ought to warn the lady, said Mrs Vanderpool, smiling outright this time.
 "Catch me-" said Miss Norseman. "As soon as they are settled, I'm going to break up here and go and live with 'em He can't refuse his only daughter home and guess the mortgage will be fore. closed pretty soon. I'm going to have ease and comfort after that, widow or nc widow. I'm match for pals new wife I've got determined spirit of my own and if she tries to triumph over me, hair will fly. Pa will uphold me, for there are lots of things he'll be afraid of her find ing out and he'll want to keep me quiet You see, I'm in his power down here, but it will be different then. Oh, wouldn't you like to see pas photographic"
 ''Yes, would," replied the widow, fin. ishing her cream. "And what do owe you?''
 '"Twenty-five cents," said Miss Morse man. Now, don't go until bring the album"
 Mrs Vanderpool had no intention of do- ing so. She waited patiently for the re- turn of her hostess with a rickety photo graph album full of the usual represent ations of aunts and .uncles, cousins and acquaintances and in their midst face she well knew. There was no possibility of mistake.
 "Now, aint my pa handsome?'' said Miss NOrseman, as she spread the book upon the table, open at this place and showing 8 certain pride in the exhibition. Handsome and stylish. Oh, dear! if he was as good as he is pretty, he'd be a very nice father to have, wouldn't her'
 "Yes," said Mrs Vanderpool, little sadly. It was handsome face and she had grown fond of it. s'Yes, I'm very glad I stopped here, Miss Norseman. Your conversation has interested me very muck."
 "We have had a real nice little visit, haven't weT' said Miss Norseman. 1T wish I'd been more fixed up; but guess I'll be more dressy when I go to New York to live with pa and his second wife,
 My dear Miss Norseman,' said the widow, "never calculate too much on anything in this world. It is one of dis appointmpntS