The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1895-10-19
AT PINK HOUSE.

Joiu IOIt ntiu huDOIulnhto post on
the Eastern Bengal state railway, and
the post carried with il, besides GER
tain number Of rupees per month, lit
tie pink house that sat very fiat upon
the ground near the railway line. IL
was also near tank and had in conse-
quence green, dank garden, where
marigolds and peoples sprawled together
and big bushes starred with the scarlet
shoe flower, grew in inharmonious fell
lowship with the magenta masses OF the
bougainvillea. A decaying tree trunk
was glorified by the tangled wreaths and
orange trumpets of the Bignonia YER
nesta, and there were many foliage
plants, dumps Of brightly colored leaves
boosting long Latin names, but John
Port called them, one and all, burning
bushes. "
" 'Tisn't what you'd call 'omelike, "
said John Port to his pipe as he paced
among these Towering splendors, "but
Ellen'll make difference, trust er "
And Ellen was ON her way out, and
every throb of the steamers screw
brought her nearer to the pink house
-
man, TO whom her coming was to make
such difference. 1t was four years
since Ellen Gee had promised to marry
John Port, four years since he had gone
to seek his fortune in India He was a
steady, handwriting man, and the for
tune had not been long of coming, the
monthly salary. with good prospects,
and the pink house and the green garden.
In the pride Of his heart John Port sent
home money, cruel sacrifice at time
when 10 rupees barely equaled 90 shil-
lings, for Ellen's passage out
1.-The ideal" said Ellen when she
received the money, and she promptly
put it into the savings bank against q
rainy day. Ellen had made her arrange
ments for the voyage. She came out in
attendance ON delicate lady and two
small children, and second class fare
was gladly paid in exchange for her
services.
II only wish you could stay with
me, " said the lady. and sho gave hei
30 at parting.
Tho marriage took place in Calcutta.
John Port was nervous and excited, anc
the best coat of four years ago was al
ready little tight for him. Ellen wa,
very quiet and composed and wore &
gray wooden gown.
They went straight from tho church
TO the train, and as Ellen travelled with
out a ticket she felt that she was indeed
entering into her kingdom. Six houri
of slow progress brought them to tn,
little pink house, which Port had fur
nished as n man in his ignorance fur
nishes Ellen was impressed by the foul
rooms and the veranda, but her quicl
eyes took instant note of the scalines,
OF the color washed walls, the inferior
woodwork and the clumsy doors thai
would not shut. But the servants aston
ished her beyond all things
"Whatever ave got all these people
forG" she asked, as row of four stoot
salaaming to her.
"Most mems wives AS more, 4" sale
Port
1.-The more shame TO them. II
couldn't manage to do the work of m,
own 'ouse, after all the time I've beer
a general. it would be pity"
''Some Of 'em you must ave- an,
you won't feel much like working whel
the 'ot weather comes, you'll see, " SAT-
Port. secretly filed with tender admira
ton.
1--WE 'ad it 'ot enough in the Re,
seas, I'm sure, said Ellen, "and a
long as was looking after Mrs. Nugen
or doing anything for the children
didn't mind il, but when / sat dow
with my 'ands in front of me it wa
awful. Keep busy, and you'll be al
right, that's what l say. I"
She had already changed her wed
ding dress for serviceable blue cotto
gown, and she was on her knees as sh
spoke busting the long neglected legs Q
the big square table. Her sleeves wer
turned up, and she wore large apron
John watched her in approving silence
She was certainly making a differenc
already. She went into the veranda (
shake her buster, and Mrs Gasparez. tn
wife Of ticket collector, watched he
from across the road.
"Ooh, thee bride is veree grand. sh
said to her husband that evening. "Sh
has brought out an English maid wit