The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-03-16
SIGNOR SALVINO.

After my old nurse, Jane Williams, had
been left widow, and, worse than that,
with two grandchildren to look after, it be.
came one of my duties, as well as one Of
my pleasures to suggest various means by
which she could make both ends meet.
She owned her little house, and as it was
pleasant cottage. just outside of the
hustling, noisy part of the city, 1t often
occurred to me that Jane could not do bet
ter than rent one Of her rooms She was
too old for active work of any kind, and
in any event the care Of the children
would keep her near home. But to my adj
vice In this direction she at first turned q
deaf ear, One of her neighbors had aspired
to dodgers and had put out a sign to that
effect, only to get man who came down
with smallpox the night he entered the
house. The neighbor had to burn up half
her furniture before she got through with
the health board.
"Thcn look at the expense Of them
printed notices" eaid Jane, who counted
farthings as most people do dollars. "I'd
have to put out new one every month,
for between the sun and the rain and the
dust the paper would get dirty, and dirty
sign might make the people think thas the
rooms was like tho sign"
Iovercame this objection by offering to
pay for all the printed signs entitled
Rooms to Lot that Jane could need,
and before I left for my next trip south I
had the satisfaction of seeing the neatest
placard could find adorn the doorpost of
Mrs. Williams cottage, and one nice young
man had already been to look at room.
THAT will bring you good fortune,
Jane, / said in parting with her. "Now
remember what predicted. 1t will bring
you good fortune. I feel 1t in my bones"
My first evening walk upon getting
home, a few months later, was to see Jane.
Had she lodgerp Or should have to pay
for scores of soiled and wasted placards
and listen to her reproechesp My curiosity
rose as l approached the cottage There
was no sign on the door. Evidently she
had lodger. Moreover l could see, even
in the dim light, that the house had been
newly nainted. Andwhen the door opened
and Jane welcomed me into the neat sit
ting room, it didn't take second glance
to tell me that the carpet was new and
that the children were better dressed than
usual. Jane herself showed the signs of
uncommon prosperity.
Didn't tell you that dodgers would
bring you fortuneS" were my first words.
"Who Is he and when did he Gomez"
"What!' exclaimed Jane in amazement.
Haven't you heardY"
Haven't .ou heardf" echoed the chill
dren.
"Heard what?" said.
"Why, it was in all the papers, contin-
ued Jane. "If you find us all alive, Mr.
John, you have q right to be surprised.
And you haven't heard wordp'
"Oh, Mr.. john" shouted both the chill
dren at once, 1--WE might all Of us been
"Stop, STOP" exclaimed. "Let your
grandmother tell me all about 1t from be-
ginning to end. Sit down there, Jane and
begin at the beginning. So that nice young
man turned out to be murderer"
"I'll tell you all about 1t, Mr.. john"
her face flushing with Importance. sit
was an awful thing. You may well be sur
prised to find us all alive"--
But, Jane said, a trifle testify, "I'm
to find you all dead"
All" said Jane, "but you don't know
what happened. oh, it was just awful"
well, but go on. Did that young man
try to murder your"
"That young man, Mr.. John? Oh, no.
He took the room for week ut 90, and 1
spent 10 cents upon cake of scented soap
for him. He went off without paying
cent. He left letter in which he said he
was going home to die. He took that cake
of soap with him too" Jane sighed and
went on.
For two weeks after he left not soul
asked to see the room till one rainy night
about o'clock, just rs l was a-fixin a pen
to write Inquire Within on new sign,
there camo loud knock at the front door.
Mercy sakes, alive says l, what can that
beP'
" Perhaps it's a lodger,' says Lizzie,
who was studying her lessons at the table
there. Laws, no, says ], faint light
enough to see the sign With that step
ped into the hall and opened the door.
I'm lookin for lodgin's,' says gruff
voice, and big man with red beard all
drippin with rain stepped inside. ITS not
4 night for dog to be out in, is it, mum9'
He was inside the settin room before I
knew it. Johnny got half under the table,
and Lizzie helped me stare at him.
" 'Lodgin's is what 1 want, mum-a
place for to sleep in. see your sign up
when come by here this afternoon, and
I says to myself, "This is the place for
Bill Crumtt" Bill Crumfit, that's me,
mum. Now, it's for you to say whether it
IS the place for me or not.
II kind of hesitated, for his eye was sort
Df wild, but could think Of no way Of
getting him out.
It's for you to say, num- he says
lgain, almost in shout
My room is "a week, says all of O
jremble. That was double what I always
ssked, and thought he might go away.
The price Is high, mum, says he,
but as like the house, l Il take the room.
ri move in right now And he stamped
he water off his boots so hard that the
rouse shook. Then he asks for light.
"A lightf says I.
Yes, mum. don't generally go to
Jed in the dark when pays "a a week for
/ room. Iwant a candle. Not, says he,
that 1t Is indispensable. For here's whatI
alls the wanderer' own friend. And with |
hat he pulls out a bullseye lantern. The |
wanderers own friend Is wonderful In |
'ention, says he. do you know, mum,
hat IL you open the friend square in the
ace Of person in the dark, that person