The San Francisco call., 1897-10-10

asked her what sort of book was missing.
Bring 'em to me-:hose books over
there she said, brusqIely, IAN I'll show
! you what IT'S like"
Later, when she had left the stand and
| had asked permission to go nome, she
stopped beside Miss Bells chair to talk
for moment.
Give me that chair you take an.
other" she said to the man who was
seated beside Miss Bell.
And evidently it didn't occur to him to
demur.
Nanny Pleasant, for all l know, may
be the vile, mercenary intrigusr her ene-
mics say she is. or she may be possessed
OF that great white heart beneath black
skim of which her friends assure me.
| But her faults and her virtues must be
those OF strong temperament. There is
nothing weak, nothing lemporiZing about
her. She is exquisitely loyal. Not even
the awful, cumu!ating misfortunes of
Sarah Althea Terry's terribly tragic life
could weary the devotion of this tena-
cious, faithful old black woman. She has
been good friend. l don't doubt that
she can be relentless enemy.
My interview with Nanny Pleasant
should rightly be written up under the
head, People [ Haven't Met"
Ii foreign Prince comes to San Fran
cisco your managing editor, through an
influential friend, may arrange short
meeting for you, when only stereotyped
| questions may be asked. Ii a famous mur-
derer IS 10 be hanged soon you may talk to
him, provided your questions are not too
| personal or indelicate. Ii great lady's
daughter is to be married she will grant
sou an interview. If you will be sufficient
ly grateful. But tell me, ye gods of the
pull, what is the magic string that will
open Nanny PIeasant's door and Nanny
Peasants lipsl
Invent up the steps at 1861 Octavia street
and rang the bell and waited and-no one
came.
Again l waited, and again, ana present
ly pretIy-faceo lad of about IA appeared
at the door. He was gentle, even smiling,
but he was delightfully."- firm
All hail to Nanny Pleasant! Any one
who can secure service such as this must
be power.
Mrs. Pleasant was very busy. She was
engaged. No, he couldn't really take my
card up. He wouldn't think OF disturb
ing her.
Did he know when one could see Mrs.
Pleasant?
He couldn't say, really.
And Mrs. Bell?
Mrs. Bell was not UP. He was sorry.
Evidently not a workingwoman-Mrs
Bell
1t was 10 o'clock in the morning.
And Miss Marie Bell?
MISS Bell was out of town, Iisped the
gentle, courteous little liar.
Too bad and he didn't know when
Mrs. Pleasant could see one?
He relented at this-just shade.
''She might-might happen to see you
from the upper window as you are going
out and call you back-if you walk very
slowly"
I'm ashamed to admit that 1 walked
very, very slowly.
And I'm still more Inundated to con-
fess that she didn't call me back!
l tried again few days later.
! This time an elderly woman admitted
ME.
l wSs so surprised at really being on the
inside OF that charmed door that could
only look about me in silent amaze.
A very, very vide. generous, deep hall,
with broad staircase starting halfway
! back, and-suddenly, from above, a deep.
| imperious voice:
WHO'S the lady? Who's the IadyP" it
demanded.
wasn't engaged in any dark, diabolical
scheme. But that authoritative voice
made me feel as if l were. l haven't felt
Just that guilty tremor since the first
| school-teacheT had bade ms read from a
page that was Greek and Sanscrit and
shorthand to me.
I'm bringing up her card and the
letters, said the gentle, timid voice of the
woman who had admitted me.
81 can't see anybody. What's your
pame?'
| Up toward the undistinguished dark
ness 1 confessed my name and quality, or
lack of it.
"Y Gu were here the other day."
Yes" l admitted, like culprit
well. l can't see you. I'm too busy.
1 don't want to see anybody. If 1 want
you, P!l send for you
! laughed aloud at this. 1t was so un-
expected; said SO simply, though.
The harsh voice softened almost i'm
perceptibly. 1t bade me good by, and
repeated not so GROSSLY,
IF l want you, I'll send for you'll"
Up to the present time--and The CALLS
about to go 10 pTess-l haven't been
! sent for.
Is it possible that Nanny Pleasant
doesn't want me?
MIRIAM NICHOLSON.