Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1897-06-25
How the Danforths Moved.
BY GLEN HATHAWAY.
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'liE Danforths were ing that |
i first of May. 1t was their fourth
move In three years, q very unusual rec
ord for n family of any pretentions to
responsibility in the staid little town.
And the Danforth name had been one
of the most aristocratic' there for many
years.
First we lived in our own dear old
home, where / was born," Frances had
enumerated the evening before, sitting
on the porch in the soft April moon-
light, with her lover on the steps just
below her. "Then when Cousin Zebe-
dee and the mortgage took that, in
spite of all our pinching and planning
uil the years was growing up, we had
that nice house on River street. The
next year we had to give that up as too
expensive and move to this place, that l
might say something against, but
won't, because-well, because / won't,
Dick" she lucidly explained, with
downward smile at the young man,
who knew very well that she forgave
the house its many faults for the sake
of having found her romance within its
walls. But there's nothing but the
lowness of the rent in favor of the
house we're going to-" she ended. TITS
cramped and shabby and inconvenient
in every way. When think how far
below the old home we've got in only
three years, IL really fear we shall
find ourselves moving out to the poor
farm one Of these springs"
"If you would only move to my house
one of these springs-or sooner" began
Dick Stedman, reaching up to take one
of his swcethcart's small brown hands,
that were pretty in spite of all the work
they had had to do.
But Frances pulled it impatiently
away.
"You couldn't afford to marry my
whole family, Dick, even If we'd let
you, and they can't possibly spare me
as maid-of-all-work and general man
ager as long as the money comes in so
slowly and the children grow out of
their clothes so fast. There! don't let
us waste any more time tonight talk
ing of disagreeables or OF what can't
be-"
"If your grand-aunt only hadn't
made such cruelty unjust will" Dick
began again; and again Miss Danforth
cut him short.
"If wishes were horses, then beggars
would ride" she quoted, absurdly.
"My grand-aunt did make her own will
tosnit herself, as probably shall If ever
am a wealthy old spinster and able to
afford dislikes; and what is the use of
ifs? Once more 1 suggest that you
start some pleasanter topic this last OF
our evenings on this pleasant old
porch"
Apparently he obeyed; for their talk
grew low-toned, and her pretty dark
head and his comely, fair one drew
quite unnecessarily close to each other
as it went on. When he left, which was
early, in consideration of her busy NOR
row, there was the brightest Of smiles
on Miss Danforth's face as she went in
to the parlor.
But the smile faded as she looked
round the familiar room. The trail of
the mover was already upon it. The
tacks were out of the carpet, and the
bookcase was emptied and its contents
piled in corner.
The handsome furniture--much too
handsome and aristocratic in its state
ly old-fashion for the cramped little
room with its cheap, glaring, gilt paper
and worn carpet-borc traces of rough
usuage. Frances stopped on her way
to bed to pityingly study the scratches
and dents on secretary of inlaid ma
hogany.
The furniture had been the sole leg
acy left Mr.. Danforth by the will Of his
Aunt Deborah, an eccentric old lady
who had practically adopted him as
u boy, brought him up in idleness to
expect her money, and turned him out
without penny when he declined to
marry to please her and did marry tc
please himself.
His wife was an orphan, with pleas
ant house of her own, which France;
still regretted, and he had gone to
work gallantly to support himself and
his, and for time had prospered. But
having no profession and being without
much business faculty, Mr.. Danfortt
had failed to attain more than a very
moderate salary in an office, while his
wife had early settled down as q mild
chronic invalid, whose constant worry
over the way her doctors bills ant
other needs ate into the family income
did not improve her chances of re
covery
When at length Miss Deborah died, II
was found that she had left all her valu
able antique furniture to her nephew
nc the last of the Danforths, coupled
with the provision that he should for
felt II IL he ever attempted to sell
sinple piece, and had bequeathed he
very considerable fortune TO distan
aid already well-to-do cousin, Iebede'
Smith by name.
Mr.. Danforth had philosophically nc
cented the situation and the furniture
selling off the commoner things ne al
ready had to settle some bills OF hong
standing with the proceeds, and crowd
mo his small rooms with the richest o
carved oak and mahogany, most o
which was presently still further dec
grated by the jaclSknives and pootheei
of his irrepressible boys.
Mr.. Smith had likewise used M
legacy to the best advantage, and mad
considerable merit of soon after accom-
,nodating his Danforth cousins with
loan on their homestead.
The next day was one OF storm an
s.ress TO Frances, on whom the weigh
Of the household burdens always fell
Mr. Dapforth, of course, had to go t
.ho of;ce and Mrs. Danforth retired I
friends house with her usual head
- before the moving had fairly be