The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-01-24
THE BOOTS OF BUMPUS.
BY MRS. ALEXANDER.
Copyrighted, 1896.

II nT+'s half-past SIX, Miily, Sdiu MI .
~ her niece, land there's no sign OF
your pa.
,or If Margate which has since developed
custon-ville. where at the period of this
torv a row of small, bow-windowed
houses had already strayed up hill.
IN the front parlor of one of them the
H.neaker. a stout, elderly woman, in puce
Al, gown. a black lace cap, with
lherrv-colored ribbons, and light-color-
"a front secured on her head by three
4 .,ds If narrow black velvet, was putting
IbeIast touches to the array of tea-table,
Iobpndantly spread with pigeon, ham,
lnreserves and shrimps.
/ The boat must be late! yet it is lovely
aoyspine-the sea is like glass" returned
I,pv Bumpus, fair girl of perhaps nine
oer in lilac muslin, with wavy red hair,
H. .aucv little upturned nose, laughing
Il .rev ewes. and very white regular teeth.
S.1m sure hope he will come in good tenn
5ner | know he is kind and generous and
Ian that. but he can be disagreeable, can't
3he, auntie?'
i "Weu. perhaps so. But he is an excel
3lent man. and quite the gentleman. It's a
Xnty YOU rubbed him up the wrong way
aabout that Mr.. Jones; he has never been
3Oulte right since
a "Weu. aunue, papa was downright silly.
HVhv. he would not even see Mr.. Jones, or
Nhear reason IN any way, and all because
H. mentioned Brown Brothers as his ref
=. m
Nsbout an opposition shop is quite ridicu-
- us so cruel and revengeful-more
8nke the Corsican Brothers than respect
aha Christian man of business. Every
one ought to do his best for himself, and
pspa can't expect to be the only grocer in
#Islngton
n Italian Warehouseman, my dear. l wish
Il YOU would not vex your pa with trities;
and | hope, Milly, you have put that Mr..
Jones out of your head. He was only a
8uaveller in a small way, and Mr.. James,
as your friend Maria Baker introduced to
4 us is an elegant young man-good-look-
ling, with no end of go. Looks well to do,
Into the bargain"
q Poor Jones was every bit as nice" re-
4 turned Milly, with a mischievous twinkle
q in her eyes Besides"
a Here her aunt. who was looking from the
#woectng window down the road, sud-
3 denly cried
Here's Mr.. Bumpus, sure enough-and,
Why Mr. Jenkins is along with him-and
II carrying his bag"
You don't say SOL cried Mlly darting
10 her side. "Well, declare! 1 never saw
the like Of Jo-I mean Jenkins
And your pa is laughing quite agree
liable" resumed Mrs. Cocks, watching the
MspprOach of the formidable Bumpus. 'If
be is pleased and content Wen be able to
make out till Tuesday quite comfortable"
Here the sound of mems voices APP
approaching made both observers retreat
tom their coign of vantage.
Good evening. and l am sure l am
#reatly obliged to YOU said the unmistak-
able tones of Bumpus, which were loud
and dictatorial. and apparently uttered
#hrough medium of mashed potatoes.
on, papa dear! How late you are"
cried Milly, opening the door, and then
narrowing her arms round his neck.
Not so very late, my dear. could not
hnd anyone to carry my bag! At last a
acc young fellow, who had talked a good
Nt with me on board the steamer offered
% take it Mr.. Jenkins, who said he
was staying next door here, and had been
muoduced to YOU by some mutual friends
M-Very civil and obliging-of mine. He is
Hther superior kind Of man, rather my
#own style"
Bumpus entered the sitting-room. sat
.oWn' removed his hat, and wiped his
brow
Phew" ne exclaimed, cts a severe
pull up from the pierr' Then he deigned
extend hand to Mrs. Cocks, who acted
FL MS housekeeper and Milly's chaperon.
nope ! see YOU well. ma'am," he said,
sDn dignity. you've got a nice room
es' they are very clean, neat, apart
TTsuls' nut | am sorry they are so full.
we've been obliged to get a room next
anyhow, 1 must take what I can get.
~ De thankful. Let us have tea as soon
you can, Mrs. Cocks. I'm parched.
enats in the pie?"
tAgeon and steak" was the prompt re-
ny. as she left the room.
Mlly, said her father, "open my bag
u give me my slippers; my feet ache
aolsn as usual, my boots are decidedly
49, and he viewed his lower extremi-
WIN complacency. We'll, my love,
sidu TO see you look so bright-quite
your Old self. | hope you have for
aI about that presumptous snob
W. Ventured to ask for your hand. No
sio~ with low connections shall have NV
usntef! What was his name? d. Jones
%!y. and he laughed.
,, ~ papa, may give ii up to please YOU
I'M. a. Goh forget so easily. had no fault
ind with poor Jones"
! udre say you hadn't. You are like
H. Iest-ready TO jump at the first man
mat asks YOU
iTst?' sauciy. eS vas NY
In 'IImpus' the sedate, the pattern grocer
- slon whose manners were sup
H. 10 be quite courtly and worthy Of
- balance 1t was said he kept at his
1si,E y paused, staring at his daughter.
h. s'ockinged foot on his right knee
"r't slipper in his hand.
&kn'ndl DO you mean? Have any other
&mr, oeen talking 10 you? / like their
4tpuaenee! They think you've an old fool
H., 'a'her who will give you all his prom
no matter what vagabond you take
H. ,,n But they are mistaken. Reunem-
nllly' my girl, no pennlless. worthless
- shali have the lingering of my
aio-earncd cash.
In w sure don't want to have anything
- WIN any vagabond, papa. Come
oom 1 ,.a and wash your hands in my
Io91 VI send your boots in next door.
H.. nave to pay for the cleaning. anv
una our poor slavey has enough to
H. %t morning rose bright and clear
W'''E daughter Of Bumpus neverthe-
'geomplished her toilette with a 70
" q