Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1892-05-12
HOU Sc To LET.

popular troes, the muslin curtains Mapped
IN the draft. Old Dorcas,, the colored ser
want went on Sprinkling the pillow cases
on the pine table in the corner.
Il We seen it coming this long time"
said Selma. The landlord has been as
good and considerable as possible
DE Ian lord's an old harpS!' said Dor
cas-. Ian lords allay's is!''
No, he's not, ;" persisted Selma. 1--WE
owe him eight months rent already, and
| do not know how he's ever to get his
money. ! would offer him tue piano and
tie carved rosewood parlor set, if |
thought they would possess any value in
his eyes--in part payment, mean"
Dorcas rolled up tie coTee-colored
whites of her eyes.
:Dat piano as was Miss Adelaide's
when frs she come from BaItmo' board
II G SCHOOL," said she. dat lubly fun
cbure as was made to order in Annapolis!
No, Miss Lina-not wiz dis chile's con-
sentr'
And she rolled thin old damask table
cloth very tight and packed into the
basket with emphasis.
Mamma must know nothing of this.
Dorcas, y said Selma sadly.
'Danno how you'se gwine to keep it
from her, Miss Lima
1T can be done, Dorca8. I've thought
1t ali out, =" said the girl. She must be
made to suppose that she's going to spend
a few days with my employers at New
port"
Has dey done asked her, Miss Lina?"
mo, you goose! | don't suppose that
they even know that I've got mother.
am only typewriter and stenogtapher IN
their eyes, and render my services at so
much day. Mrs. Piinlimmon is known
all through New York as a female phil
lnthropist, but while she's helping poor
Immigrants out OF the slums and rectify-
ing the s'opshop question, she doesn' t APP
precate that a we'll dressed southern
lady may be in sore straits. But she'll
make as good a figure head as any
other"
Miss Lima" said Dorcas, after a brief
silence, during which she rolled and
sprin kled, patted and folded with unceas-
ing vigilenco
'Weli?"
Il knows whar | could git four dollars a
week for laundress, or FIVE for cook. Think
o dat, Miss Lina?'
DO you want to leave Us, Dorcas?'
| The old woman uttered a subdued
gr0an. Lord knows it amt dat, Miss
| Lima! Lord knows it's honor enough to
work for de ole Spencers! But its mon
ey We 'uns wanIs-an cherry cent O. de
ole woman's wages dey'l come back to
ole missus and Miss Lima"
The long lashes dropped over over
Selma Spencer lovely hazel eyes. ''It's
ofno use, D0rcas." said she. "We've got
to bend before the storm. Hush! Do you
| hear that stapping?"
| Somebody knocking at the do'?" cried
Dorcas. ''Wyh on earth don't you ring
| de beIi?'
'No," Selma OBTAINING her as she was
about to answer the supposed summons
Its the agen putting up to 70 Let. But
whatever happens, Dorcas, don't lee
mamma know"
She rose and taking up her hat and
! gloves went up the wide, gloomy old
staircase. Dorcas looked after her and
shook her turbaned head
''Meksb 'lieve she's pow'ful braver'
muttered she. thinks ole Dorcas dunno
she's cryln dis berry minute! Why
dion t she marry Mars George Berkeley
when he axed her and sabe herself all
this trouble2''
Up in the dimly Lighted sitting-room
Mrs. Spencer sat, faded belle of the
olden days. The piano was open, the
window as full Of carefully tended plants
a pink shaded lamp burned on tue table,
ard Mrs. Spencer herself was engaged Ia
crewel work with slow, languid fingers
You are later than usual o-night, Sc
lima, said she fretfulIy. Perhaps your
idea Of dutiful daughter is different
| from mine, but think any amount of
Shakespeare and Browning classes
oughtn' to take up SO much of your time
away from y ur mother"
Il stopped to give Dorcas orders in the
kitchen, mamma" Selma cheerfuIly
answered. "But I'm all ready now.
What shall read to you until the tea
comes up?"
We'll" said the poor old lady feebIy,
I'D like few chapters of the Scottish
Chiefs. 1t was the first novel my dear
papa ever allowed me to read-and in my
opinion your 'Ouidas' and 'Brondons
don't come near it,"
And while Selma read out the trials of
Helen Mar and Bruce the brave, she
wondered how on earth she should man
age about showing The house to the eager
| S1g0LSeerS VINO WOuIQ De sure 10 be attend
ed by the legend ITO Lett On the NOR
row.
Cant go in dat ar room2" said Dorcas
interpreting her stout figure between hard
| featured house hunter and the door of
Mrs. Spencer's boudoir. Oats private,
| dat ar isI'
Anything wrong in the room ?" sharp
| ly questioned the woman.
Nom" stolidly responded Dorcas.
Ceiling cracked? Water pipes burst ?"
Nom
Then why can't see ?" with a sud
den push in that direction.
She might as well have attempted to
charge a battery of artillery. Old Dorcas
stood immovable.
Lady amt well, num- said she.
Cant anybody go in dat rooom! Told
you so aforer'
Anything contagious9''
Nom"
''Sure?"
Yes m, sartin shuah!''
Very well" said the house hunter with
a forward jerk of her chin; 81 shall take
no house that | can't see every inch of y
and she founced out.
All day long Dorcas fought the army of
investigators valiantly, and at night as
she herself observed, ''she was jes' as tired
as if she'd done double days wash"
Stout ladies peered into The sub-cellar and
denounced the drainage; lean ladies polk
ii &l,o,, - = o oh 90 i