Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1891-06-05

1Ously a1ter SdIli rs ne qultlSu lHc
yard.
Seems to be sort o. breakin' away"
she remarked, awkwardly, as she went
back into the kitchen. There amt
been nobody at the post Office this
week, an | wouldn't be surprised if
there was a letter there from some of
Cousin Sallie's folks / feel sort O.
called to go down an see"
Mary Jane glanced keenly at her
mother, but, discreet young woman
that she was, made no comment.
No, there were no letters from Sallie
Smiths folks, the postmaster informed
her There hain't been letter frora
Ohio this long time, onlys2ne that ole
Miss Lankers got yestebay. 1t must
a been from Tom"
Mrs. Kalometer did not go directly
home from the post Office, but paused
at an old-fashioned frame house on the
outskirts of the struggling town. Tom
Lisco, himself, opened the door for her,
and, after a hearty greeting, showed
her into the sitting-room.
II heerd you was talkin' o. rentin'
place" she began, coming directly to
the point, IAN dropped in to tell you
that think some o. rentin' miae."
Good gracious, Mrs Kalometer, you
don't sayl'
"Yes, I'm sick of farmin'."
You're goin' to try restin' awhile?"
IL caclSilate goin' into business,
in the boardin'-house line, down to Bos-
ton," bringing these last words out in
an explosive fashion, as though startled
at her own boldness. Lisco gave a low
whistle.
"Well, Mrs. Kalometer, if we can
agree on the figures, guess your
place d suit me well enough" he re-
marked, mentally averring that, with
the close-fsted old woman, this would
not be an easy matter. On the con-
trary, however, Mrs. Kalometer seemed
disposed to be liberal, and the upshot
of the matter was that, when she left
the house a half hour later, the terms
had been agreed upon.
When it became known in Pikeville
neighborhood that Nancy Kalometer
was going to Boston, great, indeed, was
the excitement. This the good woman
seemed to enjoy, and, with an air of
conscious superiority, she answered or
ignored, as pleased her best, the ques-
tions of her curious neighbors.
The first of April found herself and
Mary Jane established in a dingy
clearinghouse on Dyke street. To
tell the truth, matters had not yet as
sumed the roseate hue of which Mrs
Kalometer had dreamed. In the first
place, the uninviting aspect of the
house, together with the exorbitant
rent, had well-nigh appalled, her; and,
but for the dread of being laughed at,
she would have given up the plan alto
gether.
AS the warm weather advanced, pat
ronage had grown lighter, and the
small fund they had brought with them
to the city was fast disappearing. On
this particular morning, as she stood
vainly trying to polish the battered
woodwork, Nancy Kalometer acknowl-
edged to herself that she was thor
oughly disappointed woman.
The bell tangled noisily, and min
ute later, Mary Jane ushered into the
room a young man whom Mrs. Kalo-
meter recognized as the manager of the
she accommodate him with meals dur
ing the heated term, he inquired, po-
litely. He would wish special service,
and was willing to pay special prices
Some of his meals he would take down
town; therefore he would ask her to
charge to him the meals he took, cred
iting him with those he missed. TAX
ing blank book from his pocket, he
began to explain more elaborately his
meaning. AS he did so, he cast furtive
glances toward the corner where Mary
Jane stood looking on in apparent indif
ference.
mo, won't tell her." she muttered
to herself; shed tell me to mind my
own business; besides I reckon she's
got to learn some way"
In spite of the advent of the exquis-
ite Mr.. Tyson, prospects did not brighten
greatly. July came, bringing unusual
heat To the two women, accustomed,
as they were, to the pure country air,
each day was fresh horror. To her
dismay, Mrs. Kalometer found that she
was growing weak and hystericaL
The house was well-nigh deserted
The real-estate young man still came
with tolerable regularity, consuming
fresh fruits, milk and ices galore.
"It's powerful expensive" AIRS. kalo-
meter complained; but bargains
bargain, an as long as he's willin' to
pay double price, we can't afford to
lose him"
"He amt paid none yet" Mary Jane
resDOnded drVlv
mo, but I've got it all down in the
little book"
"It'll be four weeks next Wednesday
since he come here, an if you don't tell
him he's got to settle, 1 will. "
That afternoon Mary Jane wrote
letter. "Well, Luke, poor mas about
beat out" it ran, land l hope you'll
get here in time to settle that rascal.
| guess mall be glad enough to see
you"
Ready to settle? Why, certainly"
Mr.. Tyson was saying, as he slipped his
mocha "You have the book?"
Eyes, jest forty meals That makes
twenty dollars"
"Ah. yes" making note with his
pencil. "And the credits?"
hS u SNANo' W. .NSof w ~ SNAS'
I've made-somc mistake" her eyes
growing wild
"Forty-four credits, believer"
"Yes"
"Quite right; twenty-five dollars
credit against twenty, balance of two
dollars in my favor"
"But that amt right; it can't bel"
she shrieked 1--WE spent nigh my last
cent a-buyin' yer high-toned truck"
'I believe you agreed to this,
madam"
"Yes; but"
II was under the impression, madam,
that you were a woman of your word;
and"
A woman of her word? Who had
ever dared say she was notl An ashy
color overspread the old wonan's face;
she set her teeth grimly, and, taling
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