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

unfortunate LrlOe spectrum as k0uoAe'
servants, and her home was In a Blooms
bury lodging house, In a shaoby-gen-
teel street which abuttsd on a large
SQUARE. Not much room for romance
or interest here. you think; possibly not,
except the everyday kind Of rOmance
~ipseparable from any human life lived
honestly and bravely. Pass on, my
friends, il that Is not TO your liking.
n Melinda, the little maid who OBLIGATED
at Mrs. Tilley's establishment In various
useful capacities, was no poetic visitor
10 the outward eye. She had no claims
to comeliness, being red-haired, pale
faced, with freckles large and distinct,
though light in color, looking as II they
had been bleached by long residence In
cellars. She was underslZe1, as a mat
ter Of course, having so many weighty
duties on her young shoulders, and was
remarkable for her partially to large
r and caps Of a surprising attl-
tude, though not Of Spotless purity. The
uniform Of her slavery was dear 20 the
little Generals heart, identifying her
with the vast army Of workers. No bud
ding ensign, introduced 70 the glory OF
scarlet and the Queens buttons, ever
cherished his insignia with half the JOY
and loyalty Melinda accorded 10 her cap
and apron.
Notwithstanding her puny appear
ance and pale face there was a consid-
cradle amount Of vitality In her ways OF
speech, and, In spite OF daily travelings
IN four flights OF stairs and the arGuOus
labors OF boot blacking, herindOmitable
energy never abated. IL was some three
wears ago now that Mrs. Tilley, being In
need OF the assistance Of a young person
who would not give herself airs or take
liberties with domestic rights, had en-
Agaged Melinda from the w~orkhouse.
THE miserable little drudge had been
loyal TO her liberator, deeming it a
happy change OF circumstance which
offered her independence and the right
to call her soul her own.
The latter fact was especially agree
able 10 her sturdy spirit, n she
promptly discarded the religious cloak
which custom had compelled her TO
wear beneath the eyes OF parish off,
- cials. In the beginning OF her service
she had earnestly assured her employer
that she didn't want no Sundays out;
for she'd had prayers enough to last Der
N lifetime" Mrs. Tilley herself, not be-
ing specially devout In the matter OF
c~hurchgOing, made no demur, and the
little scoffer had continued TO practice
the same irreverent attitude for three
years, only now and again making one
OF the outer ring az a Salyati0nlSts
gathering. This was probably done
more with a view of some amusement TO
be extracted fromthe lively proceedings
than with any idea Of devotional wor-
ship.
Melinda's tip-tilted nose, worn after
the fashion OF an arrogant terrier,
shifted a long time disdainfuily at the
poor curate who lodged on the top
story Of Mrs. Tilley's domicile, appear
ing TO live chiefly on bread and butter
with an occasional relish Of blOaters or
marmalade. The little General cher
ished a vast contempt for man cOmpre-
hensively, for clerical man particularly.
1t was a troublesome II not always IN
incapable sex, destined 10 cause the
misery OF WOmankind. Melinda could
vet recall her wi early childhood when
she had been employed by her paternal
parent "a begging, canttng impOStor) 10
f~urther>his schemes. Her Independent
soul had revolted from the cant and
speciOus lying which had Invariably
the benevolent and sympa-
thetic. The hypocritical s%cOundrel, who
had finally landed himself Ia a Jail and
his offspring IN a w~OrkhOuse, waSuOt 70
be remembered with pity or affection.
ScriDtural language and wOrds,Of spirit
ual advice had more than an echo of
humbug, aud the doctrines Of theology
were aired chiefly as a means OF gain
and deception. Did not the hat come
round after? So said Melinda.
Mrs. Tillsy, being q w~eak-minded
matrou, large, limp and lachrymose'
soon discovered her young subOrdinate's
superior strength OF character. Melin-
da was employed publicly in the service
OF dodgers and privately as a friendly
N~confdent and recipient OF tears. Upon
the little maids shoulder such cOpiOuS
| floods were at times discharged that she
was constrained 10 demonstrate. III
YOU goes on, Missis, L do declare l
sha'n't ave a dry rag on me. Why,
bless yer, yer could wiring Of me out
most nights"
The most frequent cause Of the lady's
lamentations was the arrant ways OF her
partner, a gentleman referred to vugue-
~ as ''in business when inquiries were
Apressed by prospective dodgers. So FAR
As il could be discerned on the surface,
the business consisted chiRy OF tasting
the taps Of neighbOving public houses.
The landlady, however, managed to
keep him out Of sight at moments when
he was not presentaOle, aud so far, be-
ing void OF Ofsnse toward dodgers, they
tacitly ignored his misdemeanOrs. But
Melinda, coming in more personal con-
tact with the offender, heaped alternate
derision and abuse upon him. Her sat
ire was deadly as poison 10 the weak
minded man, and he hated and feared
her equally.
The aspect Of this girlo of sixteen years
holding forth on the lniQuities OF man
was A sight 20 move the gods TO mirth.
The whole army Of the shrieking sister
hood could not more adequately have
maintained the equality, II not the su-
eriority, of the female sex. With her
Big apron Of course sacking envelOping
her meagre form, with her bony arms
akimbo. IAN attitude ever significant OF
defance) and her taEgle Of carrOty curlS
shaken from beneath her formidable
cap,M Melinda dashed the weaknesses OF
man with ~unspariDg criticism. Mrs.
Tilley would offer, one by one, feebly
e%xtenuating arguments, but they were
quickly swept away by the torrent Of
4 the Generals elOquence. Her tiradeSln-
variably concluded with the same piece
NJ advice. ''YOu should up and give i'm
4 bit Of your mind like = woman as re-
specks of herself. l wouldn't knock