The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1893-03-29
HOUSE TO LET.


"We have got to novel" sighed Sc
lima Spencer. The wind rustled in the
leafiess poplar trees, the muslin cur
tains tapped in the draught. Old
Dorcas, the eolored servant, went on
sprinkling the pillow cases on the pine
ia BILE in the corner.
"I've seen it coming this long time"
said Selma. "The landlord has been
as good and considerate as possible
"De lan'lord's an old harpy!" said
Dorcas. "Lan'lords allays isl"
"No, he is not" persisted Selma.
"We owe him eight months rent al
ready, and l do not know how he is
ever to get-his money. I would offer
him the piano and the carved rosewood
parlor set, if I thought they would
possess any value in his eyes-in part
payment, mean"
Dercas rolled up the coffee-colored
whites of her eyes.
"Dat piano as was Miss Adelaide's
when frs she come from Baltimo'
boarding school!" said she. DAT lubly
funchure as was made to order in An
nap'lis! No, Miss Lina-not wiv dis
chile's CONSENT"
And she rolled thin old damask
tablecloth very tightly and packed it
into the basket with emphasis.
"Mamma must know nothing of this,
Dorcas," /" said Selma, sadly.
Dunno how you'se gwine to keep it
from her, Miss Lima.
at can be done, Dorcas. I've thought
it all OUT" said the girl. "She must
be made to suppose that she is going
to spend a few days with my employ
ers al Newport"
"Has dey done asked her, Miss
LinaP"
mo, you goose! I don't suppose
that they even know that I've got a
mother. I am only typewriter and
stenographer in their eyes, and render
my services at so much day. Mrs.
Plinlimmon is known all through New
York as female philanthropist, but
while she's helping poor Immigrants
out of the slums and rectifying the
slop question she don't appreciate thai
a well-dressed southern lady may be
in sore straits. But she'll make as
good fgurehead as any other"
| miss Lima" said Dorcas, after 8
brief silence, during which she rolled
and sprinkied, patted and folded with
unceasing vigilance.
"WeH?"
II knows whar could git 81 weel
for laundress or So for cook. Tink o
dat, Miss Lima"
"Do you want to leave us, DorcasP'
The old woman uttered a subdueC
groan. lord knows it amt dat, Mis-
Lima! Lord knows it's honor enough
to work for de ole Spencers! But it,
money we uns Wants-an' ebery cen
O. de ole woman's wages, dey'n com,
back to ole Missus and Miss Lima"
/ The long lashes dropped over Sc
lima Spencer's lovely hazel eyes. "It'
of no use, Dorcas," said she. "We'v,
got to bend before the storm. Hush
Do you hear that tappingP"
Somebody knocking at de do!
cried Dorcas. "Why on arf don't de.
ring de bellp"
NO." said Selma, OBTAINING her a
she was about to answer the supposed
summons. "It's the agent putting u
the TO Let But, whatever happens
Dorcas, don't let mamma know!"
She rose, and getting up her hat an
gloves, went UP the wide, gloomy oil
staircase. Dorcas looked after he
and shook her turbaned head.
"Meks b'lieve she's pow'ful brave!
muttered she. thinks ole Dorca
dunno she's crying dis berry minute
Why didn't she marry Mars Georg
Berkeley when he axed her an sab
herself all this trouble?"
Up in the dimly lighted sitting-roor
Mrs. Spencer sat, a faded belle of th
olden days. The piano was open, th
window was full of carefully tende
plants; pinkshaded lamp burned o
the table, and Mrs. Spencer herse
was engaged in crewel work with slow
languid fingers.
"You are later than usual to-nigh
} Selma" said she, -fretfully. "Perhar
your idea of dutiful daughter is di
ferent from mine, but | think an
amount of Shakespeare and Brownin
classes oughtn't to take SO much {
your time away from your mother"
81 stopped to give Dorcas orders
the kitchen, mamma" Selma chez
fully answered. "But Pm all read
now. What shall l read to you unit
the tea comes up?"
"Well," said the poor lady feebl,
"I'd like a few chapters of the SEQ
! tish Chiefs It was the first novel m
dear papa allowed me to read-and
My opinion your Ouidas and Braddol
don't come near it."
And while Selma read out the tria
" of Helen Mar and Bruce the brave, 81
wondered how on earth she wou
manage about showing the house
the eager sightseers who would
sure to be attracted by the legend 81
Let" on the morrow.
Cant go in dat ar room!" said Do
cas-, interposing her stout figure b.
tween the hard-featured house huntt
and the door of Mrs. Spencer's boudoi
"Dat's private, dat ar!"
Anything wrong in the rooms
D, sharply questioned the woman.
Nom" stolidly responded Dorca
Ceilings crackedP Water pip
burst?"
g Nom"
"Then why can't I see it?" with
sudden push in that direction.
- She might as well have attempt'
! to charge battery of artillery. o
Dorcas stood immovable
"Lady amt well, num-" said SD
"Can't nobody go in dat room! To
you so afore!'
Anything contagious?"
"No'm."
"Sure?"