Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1892-04-08
CHAPTER III.

CHAPTER II.
In the crowded homes of the poor the
corridor and staircase are regarded by
them as another apartment. The child
rem play there, while the women gossip
and the men smoke. When little Chipp"
made too much noise, her mother would
say
t.You drive me wild; go out in the cor
ridor and play"
The child obeyed submissively.
The same corridor was on the upper
tool~of an ancient dwelling. Economy of
space had formed no part Of the original
plan. It was broad with a high ceiling,
and protected on the side nearest the
stairs by a heavy wooden railing. At one
end it was lighted by a large window that
overlooked all the other roofs and chin
neys, and little way off the green turf in
the garden Of the Speeds house lay cool
and fresh among the dusty old walls and
superannuated buildings
There was little. to be sure, that was
very gay in the prospect. Still the child
liked IT infinitely better than the outlook
from the window OF her parents rooms,
which were always sunless. and well-nigh
intolorahe when it I;,imcd and her father
could not go out.
Horace Chipp was indolent, and always
forming plans to make magnificent for
tune At first he had imposed upon his
wife, but after repeated disappointments
she learned to estimate hun 1t his real
value, and no longer attached an import.
ance to his Wild dreams. Her comfortable
little dOWIy, wasted by hmm IN foolish
speculations had dWiudled to a mere pit
lance: an Indian shawl sacred to great
occasions, the lace she had worn on her
wedding day, and two diamond clasps,
small enough certainly, but still so bril-
liant that Sylvia often implored her moth
er to open the white velvet case in which
they had lain for thirty years or more.
Mr. Chipp had been for years seeking
some active employment. his health, as he
affirmed. not allowing him to lead
sedentary life 1t must be acknowledged
that in the early days Of his life, when
his business was prosperous and money
was plentiful, when be kept his horse and
groom, he was thrown from his carriage
and severely injured.
This accident had served ever since for
an excuse for his idleness. No one was
ever five minutes with Mr.. Chipp without
his saying. in a confidential tone
you remember the accident that hap
pened to the Duke of Marlborough 2" And
then he would add, invariably tapping his
own bald head, "PreciseIy the same
thingw
Situation after situation had been
abandoned as not lucrative or dignitied
enough, 50 that at the time Of which we
speak he was a burden to himself and to
others. Everyone can relate anecdotes of
the eccentricities Of artists and literary
the pl'cposterous follies Of half educated,
unemployed tradesman? IF new street
was being laid out, he felt called upon
daily to inspect the progress of the work
men. No one knew better than he the
specialties of the different shops, and
sometimes Mrs. Chipp, weary of seeing
her husbands vacant face pressed against
the window-panes, would say, as she
ironed the house linen
You know the pastrycooll's shop, in
such a street, where they sell such ex
cellent buns2 Go and get couple and
we Will have them instead Of a pudding
to-day"
So the husband sailed forth. slowly
traverSed the streets, went to the shop,
and passed half the day out OF doors, re-
turning in triumph, wjping his forehead,
as he entered the house with the bag of
and the whole morning.
His wife made no complaint, though she
honestly wished that he would earn
some money. The poor woman made no
more than he, but she so thoroughly
understood the art OF saving it, that absO-
lutte poverty had never yet entered their
doors. Their rooms were always scrupu-
lousy clean, and The old furniture shone
brightly under her care.
Opposite the Chips door were two
smaller ones. On the first, a card, fasten-
ed by four small nails, bore the name Of
"Florence, Designer Of Wallpaper Pat
terms for Manufacturers" and on the
other was small brass plate with this
inscription, Mrs. We're de Lacy. Beetles
| and Humming- birds" The De Lacys'
door was always open, and showed a
large square room, where two women,
mother and daughter, the latter almost
child, labored at one of those small indus
tries demanded by the luxurious fancies
Of ladies Of wealth and taste.
At that time it was fashion to ornament
hats and ball-dresses with those brilliant
beetles from South America, and with
those dainty birds whose breasts glitter
as if set closely with rubies and emeralds.
This was Mrs. De Lacy's speciality.
A wholesale house to whom the goods
were consigned from the Antilles sent
them at once on their arrival to Mrs. De
Lacy. When the cover was removed. s.
dull dead odor and fine arseuical dust
filed the room. The beetles were piled
one upon another; the birds were closely
packed. each with its wings stretched on
a bit Of stiff paper. All these We're 10 be
| mounted; each beetle must tremble on
fragment of wire; the ruffled plumage of
humming- birds was to be smooIhed. and
two pearl beads inserted instead OF the
eyes that were no longer there; and each
| tiny creature must be made to assume a
| ife-hke position.
The mother did her work under her
| daughters direction for Dora. though so
young, had such exquisite taste, such
| originality Of invention that no one could
arrange the birds as she could.
Lame from her infancy in conseque nee
| of an accident that had in no way lesseued
the beauty of her refined face, Dora had
| acquired, In consequence of her enforced
| seclusion. a certain high-bred pallor, and
| her employment was of such a nature
| that the natural beauty of her white
| hands was uniniured. Her silky hair was
always carefully arranged. and she passed
| her days buried in large arm chair,
| before a table that was covered with
| fashion-plates and birds OF all tints. find
ing some compensation in the elegance of