Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1894-01-20


up his profession was enough to bring
tears to ones eyes.
Happy man, idolized in his own home,
saluted respectfully by the neighbors
when he appeared in the street, for Lon
doners have an extraordinary predilec-
tion for the theatres and those connected
with them.
And yet this great man went contented-
ly every Saturday evening to milliners
In Regent-strect, huge paper box under
his arm. to carry home the work Of his
wife and daughter.
Even in executing this commission his
manners and costume were so irreproach-
able that the young foiewoman whose duty
it was 10 receive him found IL extremely
embarrassing To hand him the weeks
wages, so laboriously earned, and 80 small
In amount.
On these evenings the actor did not
dine al home; his wife never expected
him; his excuse was always ready, he
had met an old friend, and invited him TO
dinner. He brought home the remainder
of the money. to be sure, and sometimes
a flower for Dora, or little gift for his
wife. - mere nothing" he said loftily.
Thus you understand how. notwith-
standing the industry and the courage Of
these two women, and though their labors
were comparatively lucrative, they were
often pressed for money, particularly at
certain times. when ''the season" was over,
and their particular branch Of trade Ian
guished.
Fortunately Florence was near at hand,
and always ready to serve his friends.
William Florence. the third tenant on
that floor. resided there with his younger
brother Frank. younger by fifteen years
than himself. The two were natives Of
Cumberland, and their tall, manly forms
and fresh compilations seemed to lend
some Of their own vitality to the dark and
drcary house. The eldest was designer
to the Speed manufactory, and paid his
brothers expenses at school.
When William first arrived in Lonion.
a stranger, and ignorant of the ways If
cities, he gladly availed himself of the
kind offers Of assistance made to him by
his new neighbors, Mrs. Chipp and the
De Lacys.
They gave him advice and recommend
ed their own tradespeople, and, altogether,
were most useful 10 him. In a few
months they all became like one family.
On holidays the brothers were always
asked TO the rooms Of one or other of
their new friends. and II was no small
consolation to the two exiles To find them
selves welcome at these modest firesidcs.
Florence's salary was so large, too, occupy
ing as he did, an important position in the
wealthy establishment of the Speeds, that
was enabled to bestow on the De Lacys
many tangible benefits. and 10 enter the
Chips room laden with gifts. This
little Sylvia soon understood, and ran TO
meet him, climbing on his knees. and
boldly searching his pockets Occasional
ly he invited them all 40 theatre, and
now and then he went with Mr.. Chip or
De Lacy TO the Vine. a quiet public-house
in the neighborhood, where he rcgaled
them with beer and pipe.
Pipes and beer were his only vice, and
his greatest enjoyment was between his
two friends. joining in the conversation
only with an occasional nod or laugh
Naturally reserved and unable to express
himself fuently. and conscious Of certain
proyiDcialisms that clung TO him still, he
shrank from new acquaintances. His old
friends absorbed him. while at the same
time, impressing upon him their immense
superiority. According tD Mr.. Chipp. no
man who worked ten hours a day could.by
any possibility, have at the end Of that
time any opinion worth Offering To any one
on any subject.
Sometimes the designer came in over
whelmed with care, meaning after an
hours rest to return to the factory. and
work all night. Mr. Chipps air Of sur
prised contempt was an absolute study.
IL can't imagine man Of sense being
guilty Of such folly," he would say.
De Lacy was less fierce, but his SUPER
cilious condescension was equally amusing.
own inferiority, and gently sought 10 in
duce his friends 10 overlook and forgive
il by thoughtful attentions and kind
nesses. In each Of these three humble
homes Sylvia Chipp was always welcome
and equally at case. At any hour OF the
day she would rush into the DE Lacy's
room. perch herself ON the arm of Dora's
chair, and watch the rapid movements Of
the pale girls fingers. When tired Of this.
the child would pounce on some discarded
beetle, one which had lost wing on its
long voyage, on humming- bird whose
feathers were hopelessly damaged, such
being always preserved for her use. Al
ready more coquettish than playful, the
little girl would arrange them in her
clustering curls. while Dora and her
mother smiled TO see her standing on tip
toe before the old tarnished mirror. When
she had studied herself sufficiently, Syl-
via, craving more admiration. would
gravely go and knock on the Florences'
door.
During the day only Frank was there,
busy over his books at his table by the
window. Sylvia, holding her head very
stify, lest her tiara should be disarranged,
appeared on the threshold. Farewell to
study! Everything must be abandoned
10 do honor 10 this princess of fairyland,
who came, crowned with shining jewels,
10 pay him visit.
1t was droll enough to see this tall,
overgrown youth absorbed by his eiels,
year-old girl. WELDING t~ hoI caprices and
whip,s. 90 chat later when he became mad
ly in love with her, no one could fix the
date when his passion began.
Petted as she was in these different
rooms, there was yet many an hour when
Sylvia gladly took refuge in the large
window on the staircase. 1t was there
she found her greatest amusement. there
that she contemplated vague future.
The child watched the glittering
windows Of the huge factory buildings; ;
and the heavy smoke that at certain hours
rolled from the chimneys and enveloped
the gray walls only added the additional
charm of mystery. The Speed manu-
factory represented to her the acme OF
luxury and wealth, while the swaying
tops Of the trees in the garden seemed to
beckon her to the promised land, the
country of her dreams.
She listened with intense interest TO all
that Florence would tell her of his master,
and of his kindness, an,l his success in
business, and she watched with childish
curiosity every detail of Mr.. Speeds home-
life. The stone steps down to the garden,
the aviary. his perfectly-appoinier
brougham, all were constant obie~
admiration. anats of the bouse.
She knew tbs for dismissal of the work.
hola The payday. when the cashiers
lamp burned far in the evening; and Sum
days, when the profound silence about the
premises brought nearer the voices ofMiss
Annie and her cousin Geor rs they
p,ayed together in the garden. From
Florence she had acquired much infor-
nation.
.Show me the drawing room windows"
she would say; .and now, which Is An
MES bedroomr
And Florence, charmed with this
SYMPATHETIC infatuation for bis dear
manufactory, explained over and over
again to the child the arrang,men, oi the
bnildings. the position >I the different
,rorLrs and sbovcd her the special
corner " where his e.sn Office was situated.
E;n.,,w one ~ Sylvia penetrated into