The Washington bee. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1884-1922, 1895-10-26
THE CAMELIAS.

r, 1,on ,,rs Ma,trovers T.
Fraser, her Gardener, ancient. auto
cratic, and well-meaning.
Scene: A Conservatory.
Mrs. Maltrayers-"It is very singular,
Fraser, that we shouldn't have single
camelia. Now Sir Francis houses-I
saw them only the other day-are full
of them"
Fraser-"There's wulgarity, mum,
about camelias as it doesn't surprise me
Sir Francis-begging your pardon If
he's partickler friend of yours-should
have a heap Of 'em. A nasty, snowy
shrub is a camelia, to my thinking,
mum. AS gaudy as you please for a
little; but pick 'em, and in ten minutes
they're as brown as brown-and no good
for nothing. It's hallegorical, to my
thinking, num-"
Mrs. Maltravers-''AlTego What
in the world do you mean, Fraser?"
Fraser-"Well, mum, it's this: Sir
Francis wallet tells masters wallet, and
masters wallet he tells me, as how Sir
Francis has lost lot Of money lately,
and, camelias or no camelias, amt half
as rich as you'd think. Took to the
turf says masters wallet to me only
this very morning. No fortun'll stand
that, Chawls,' says I, sententious like.
I believe you, Mr.. Fraser says he. It's
a pore lookout for our Miss Lyddy,' says
I, as they're going to marry to Sir
Francis. and I'll make it my dooty to
let the missus know his goings on"
Mrs. Maltravers with dignity)-"Real-
ly. Fraser, you are excessively kind to
busy yourself so much with my-private
affairs. Let me recommend you to look
after your own business-which very
sorely needs your attention-a little
more, and mine little less. You do not
know, perhaps, that your candor is
something very like impertinence."
Fraser-"No. mum, don't. I'm that
fond OF Miss Lyddy (as favors my own
girl, who died when keeping company
with Mr.. Jones, the undertaken, as was
in a nice way Of business, mum, and
buried the county families) as I'd do
anything for her. Sir Francis amt
good enough for our Miss. and that's
the truth. And Miss Lyddy-do she
care for Sir Francis? You take my
word for it, mum, not jot. Why, when
he give his grand ball. l meet Miss
Lyddy a-sauntering slow-like on that
very lawn, and says she to me, L sup
pose must have some flowers to wear
this evening, Fraser And says /,
agreeing ready: You shall Miss. Will
you have them there white 'zaleas, or
steffynotis, or vilets? Name your flow
err, Miss, and I'll do it, oh. I don't care ,
thank you, Fraser says she with her
smile, only tired lie. 1t don't much
matter. Send me whatever you will !
miss least Now, that's unnateral, |
mum. My idea is. when young We |
mans in love. greenhouses and the deli |
catest of plants and the feelings Of hall !,
the gardeners in creation amt nothing |
to her. Why, Miss Lyddy herself, when |
the Captain was a-staying up at the |
house. treated them pots O. lilies of the |
valley cruel. Lilies for her nosegay, |
and lilies to put in her frock, and lilies |
(whicE was wicked to pin, quite sense !
less, on her fan. And all accuse, !
suppose, Of the Captain saying to her |!
one day. heard him, though busyprun !
ng-'Lilies are your flower, Miss NAL
travers. I never like to see you wear
any other Or som'at like that
Mrs. Maltravers frigidly)-"You seem
to know great deal more about my
daughters feelings than I do, Fraser.
[ must really beg that you will keep
your information to yourself"
Fraser-"No, mum, can't. Sorry as
am to disoblige a lady as has been al
ways considerate-except for asking oc-
,asional for flowers and coocumbers out
,f season. must say my mind about
Miss Lyddy and Sir Francis If Sir
Francis were sure of his money
shouldn't have spoke Moneys a nice
hing, mum. I'm not going to say
no. she don't think Sofia. if Sir Fran
lis had been all tight and snug it
have made up to her in time
or losing the Captain. But it amt It
lin't at all. His wallet is an honest
spoken gentleman, and he says to our
Shawls: You take my word, Chawls,'
avs he, we shall have bust-up at our
'lace afore long, And so they will
Mrs. Maltravers-"May I ask if YOU
re presuming to offer me advice as to
whom Miss Lyddy is to marry?"
F'raser-"No, mum, not yet; but I'm
oming to it. If you and master amt
bove listening to an old fellow who Is
Ugh upon as fond of her as you are.
ay let her have her Captain. He amt
ot much, cook tells me. But what he
as is sure. And as said to my Polite
7hcn the undertaken was a-walking {
Nth her: 1T amt wealth Jones has. ]
larry, but it's sure. Now pictures I
there was picture dealer as had been c
dangling after herr. they may go out !
{ fashion or they may stay in. Good i
ess knows. But die people must, fash I
IN or no fashion. And be undertook .
hey must also-by the laws of the
md. It's the same with ISIS Lyddy's
aptain. AID she's ond of him-which
ont count for much in the hupper =
lasses I'm aware. but In useful, un- +
ommon useful" :.
Mrs. Maltravers "a little less sarcas- .
cally)-"May ask, Fraser, what rea- 1,
I'M you have for thinking Miss Lydia q