Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-10-10

Cousin Jim is little more savin' than
I reckoned he was" thought Mr.. Crockett,
but it's just well. I'm keerful man
myself"
They climbed up and up, and it seemed
to Mr. Crockett that they would never
come to the end of those steps. He was
muscular man and could have thrown
Cousin Jim over his shoulder and carried
him quarter of mile without feeling any
overwhelming exhaustion, but he was not
accustomed to climbing steps.
You live pretty high up, pears to me,
Cousin Jim he risked at last.
Yes said Mr.. Pearson, with faint
smile; Its healthier, you know. The
higher you go the better the air."
Mr.. Crockett had not thought of that.
But the end of those steps came at last
ard they knocked at a door five flights
from the ground. They were welcomed
by Mrs. Pearson small woman, who was
palid and f1abby like her husband.
Mr.. Crockett was a gallant man and he
did not forget the ties Of kinship He
opened his arms and gave Mrs. Pearson a
hearty embrace. Then he kissed her on
the cheek. little color came into her
pale face.
Powerful glad to see you. Cousin Mary, !"
said Mr.. Crockett land it perked me up
nightly to see Cousin Jim, too, standin'
there on the platform when the train came
up. I'd a had a pesky hard time findin'
you all by myself in this great city. Now
don't you tucker yourself out foolin' with
my valise and overcoat. Just let your
corner anywheres."
1.-The fact is' said Mr.. Pearson "our
servants left us yesterday and we haven't
| been able to get others that suited yet.
| trouble we have in the cities with servants?
| Always dissatisfied, always striking
| There's no getting along with them.
| really believe it's easier sometimes to let
| them go entirely and do ones own work.
| That's so! That's sou assented Mr.
| Crockett, cheerfully. Il wouldn't have
| no slouchin' servants foolin around me
1 like doin' my own work, but it might
| be different with Cousin Mary. She don't
| pear to be real strong
"Oh. yes, 1 am strong said Cousin Mary
| my looks deceive you.'
| In proof of her words she snatched w
| the valise and overcoat and disappeared
| with them down a dark and pinched little
| hail. Mr.. Crockett was taken presently into
| the front room, where he struck twice
| against chairs and once against the wall
| An Oil lamp stood the dresser, and
| Cousin Jim apologized for the dimness OF
| It's light.
ITS bad. KNOW" he said, but the gas
| company is such a robber. Every month
| they'll send in bill for two or three times
the amount Of gas you really use. It's not
| 80 much the money we mind but it's the
principle Of the thing. That's the reason
| We had our meter taken out. It's the only
way you can fight these grasping corpora.
| tons. Lots Of millionaires on 5th avenue
| have done the same thing"
| Mr.. Crockett admired Cousin J1mS Stan(
for principle. He had great horror of al
corporations, which he was convinced were
running the country. and he was heart ant
soul with Cousin Jim in his fight agains
the gas company. But this did not drive
away the sense Of physical uneasines!
which had seized him when he entered tn,
room. He did not know where to put him
self. The chairs seemed too small for hi.
bulky frame, and he was afraid that If h,
| stretched out his legs they would reacl
from one wall to the other. Mr.. Crockett
was accustomed to wide areas. and he fel
suffocated
Mrs Pearson spread white cloth on
small table and brought in some coffee an,
cold meat and bread and butter. Mr.
Crockett was hungry, hungrier than h
liked to say, and he pulled up his chat
with alacrity when Cousin Jim invited hin
to attack the food But he was surprise,
to see that Mr.. and Mrs. Pearson took n
hand at the knife and fork. He asked then
to Join him. He said he didn't think 1t wa
manners for him to eat alone. But Cousin
Jim shook his head.
1--WE ate dinner" he said. with the sam
faint little smile, "before I went down t
the train to meet you. We ate 80 hearth
that we really have no appetite now 70
anything more"
Mrs. Pearson nodded assent.