Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1893-05-28

daily accompaniment Of bread, so there
was a corresponding diminution OF vigor.
The General set herself culinary
tasks equivalent to making bricks with
out straw BE-; the result vas hardly sat
isfactery.
The only lodger that Fad not deserted
No. II was the curate, who sthi occu-
pied the room on the upper story. Inc
children certainly troubled him less
than formerly.
Vitality was at the lowest ebb, and
there was a greater scarcity OF penny
whistles and tin trumpets. Him"
never c~ondescended to bestow pennies
on his offspring for such frivolous par
chases as toys.
One day in midwinter the curate
climbed the three flights OF stairs after
aB arduous morning In the slums that
had left him sick at heart. He found
Melinda crouehing over his little CRATE
grooming some melancholy song TO the
baby, now a pale-faced child OF nearly
a year old, but yet with no notion OF
sitting up or taking an interest In sur
roundings after the cumtomary manner
of more fortunate babies.
you'll please excuse OF me, Sir"
said Melinda with a subdued note OF de-
fiance. Edward Albert e were fracti-
Gus, and l were that cold, and there
weren't no fire."
mo frel" said the curate, with an In
voluntary shudder as his glance fell on
the snow outside.
"All along of i'm a course" said Me-
linda. les been at IL wusser h
never"
But didn't I pay him my rent yes
terday a week In advance"
Then you was an ijut," broke from
Melinda angrily. LES been and drunk
hisself into the perlice station, and Id
manage a sight better if e was to stay
there
Albert Edward set up a whine OF re-
moustrance at this vindictive remark,
whereupon Melinda turned him round
upon his face, an attitude popularity
supposed TO be agreeable to the infant
anatomy; then she set to churning her
knees round with a circular motion as
an additional sedativC. The cnrate be.
ing by this time familiar with the ways
of her kind made no humane emon-
STRANGE. "What is to be done?" he said
YEARLY, leaning agaii the mantel-
piece. 1.-THE children Will starye event
ually or go to the %workhouse."
That they never shall, F" said Melinda,
pale and vehement. "I'd rather pitch the
whele lot over the 'bankment first and
jump in after"
"Melindal" said the curate with gentle
remonstfance.
BEG pardon, Sir; bat 1t amt Chris
tianlike to talk o. that workhouse." She
sat down meekly, and presently re-
sumed: Couldn't you take of the dror-
ing-room floor? 1t nd give the children
a extry meal now and then"
Impossible" said the %curate, looking
down to her eyes so pitlful In their en-
treaty. "Why, they're thirty shillings
a week"
81 see you 'ad 'em for fve-and-twen-
ty-" said the General. "Only think of
the red velvet sofa and them orny-
ments." Her voice took q cajoling note.
He only shook his head. Humor had
long since gone out of him. 81 might
perhaps get you a lodger," he said at
last; ian American"
who'd ever stay along OF i'm and the
noise e kicks up?"
Couldn't you make him up a bed
down stairs?"
80 l might, II he'd be persuaded to
stay there" said Melinda, more cheer
fully, "but he's terrible afraid OF black
beetles and Gravity things, and he might
set the 'ouse on fire."
The curate knew nothing OF Mr.. Til
ley's tremors
sis it a man lodger?" said Melinda
after a pause. They gives a deal more
trouble with boots aud dirty pipes than
the females"
"No, a lady, an artist; she goes to the
drawing school every morning"
And she'd pay reg'lar?" said Melinda
anxiously.
Pm sure Of it. I think I'll go and
speak to her at once, before she leaves
the college. l know she's looking for
lodgings" Hereupon the little man for
got his tired feelings and took up his
hat again.
mot till I ave made you a cup Of tea.
See, the kettles on the boil" And with
scant ceremony Melinda deposited AL
bert Edward on the hearth-rug and
fetched the teapot from the cupboard.
The lldy proved amenable to persua-
sion. Within three days she occupied
the d~rawing-room flSor, bringing with
her an amount of baggage that afforded
Melinda a substantial guarantee OF SOL
vsncy. This agreeable fact was, how
ever, somewhat unplrasantly balanced
by the new lodger's outspoken com
ments on the furniture and decorations.
"Mercy, now! Roses and lilies and
daffy-down-dillies growing on the car
pet, and the whole rainbow making a
display on the wallpaper. | reckon I'll
have a color nightmare this blessed
evening"
But she smiled so pleasantly that Me-
linda was constrained TO carry OF the
''ornyments" to a cupboard downstairs
without demur. "She ave got the coax
INCEST eyes you ever see," she remarked
to Miss Louisa in privacy.
When she brought up the young lady's
chop in the evening, Melinda found the
6rawing-room floor had undergone a
singular change of aspect. Eastern
rugs effectually diminished the. glories
Of the roses and lilies en- the carpet, and
the red velvet sofa was swathed in some
artistic fabric which rendered this for
midable piece of furniture less consptc-
nous Photographs, flowers, and books
graced the mantelpiece and tables, and
an easel was already set up near the
window. All was dainty, tasteful, home
like, and Melinda opened wide eyes OF
establishment. "Well, | never!' she
said, as her glance travelled around the
unfamiliar apartment. us that how
you do it in Amerikey?"
sIt's Just how folks do 1t everywhere