The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1892-09-24

1t was a sultry June day, with sum
less, leaden sky, the atmosphere
charged with electricity, the trees In
the park powdered over with fine dust.
The children had been contumacious,
the lessons hard. the trustees unusual
" exacting in their visit of inspection
that morning. and Miss Middleton, rs
she united her bonnet-strings and sat
down in the one easy-chair that her
room afforded, drew . sigh Of mingled
relief and vexation.
.sOne might as well be slave at
once!'' said Miss Middleton. III Iwere
. man, I'd snap my fingers in their
faces, send in my resignation and go
out to Kansas TO farm government
land, or weave corn-baskets, or mako
nv living in some other shape where .
person can be independent. But, as
I'm a woman, can't. I'm fond OF
children by nature, but could have
cheerfully choked every young imp in
nv class to-day. Now, al this isn't
the proper state of things. I'm the
wrong woman in the right place-the
square block of humanity in the round
hole"
Miss Middleton looked ut herself in
the glass She was fat, fair and thirty
stx. with here and there silver thread
shining In her braids and incipient
crows-feet at the corners OF her bright,
hazel eyes.
IL ought to have been married" said
Miss Middleton, vaguely following mp
the current of her ideas But what Is
. girl to do when the men don't know
what they're about? And. dear me,
never had but one offer, and that was
from poor Dick Brandegee, who couldn't
even support himself, let alone wife.
He died in the lunatic asylum last year.
Perhaps he would have died there
sooner il he had married me-
.vhat is 1t, Mrs. MoscovitzT'-to the
l.ndlady of the boarding house. "A
bow to see nsS What on earth does {
boy want to see me for?"
s'He's been here twice, Miss Middle
tcu,r said the landlady, pursuing up hel
thin lips. .And I've seen him through
the basement windows changing round
the AIRY, and nm free to say ~ sent
Caroline TO bring me the spoon-baske'
and the silver tray, for he amt exactly
what you would call IN ornamental
member of society!"
..Send him in" said Miss Middleton
: brusquely; and tall, ungainly lad o.
fifteen or thereabouts slouched init
the room, ragged, dusty and wearing
shoes which scarcely covered his feet
.Oh!" said Miss Middleton, recognix
ine former member of her class II
the public school. 'It's Benny Pole
isn't il YemlSm sure it's Benny. now
and what cdr You possibly want VIII
Z ae, Benny Pole?'
"Plesse, IN, want TO borrow nv
dollars answered the ungainly youth
.Ohv' said Miss Middleton. saith
ically. Wouldn't i've hundred DO
well?'
"Please, IN, haven't never had n
luclx since they turned me out Of schoo
for laughing because Squire Hopkin
sneezed his spectaclcs on his nose, sal
Benny. dolorously. II got place TO
vrocer's. but my .errand-basket wa
stole. and tried newspapers ON tn
erpress. train, and fell on the last ca
and hurt my ankle 30 IS I've iimpe
ever since. And they say I'm too big :
learn 4 trade and too little to 60 out 10
days. work"
.Well. said Miss Middleton. and HOY
can I prevent all this sccurnulstion
misfortuneg
sPlesse, m" said Benny. piteously
s.vou was always good to me.
hsven't got a friend IN the world, e.
cart it,s mother and you.
s.r1.A>h,n e.;d Mas Middleton