The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1897-01-23

@ASV2HNHsIafNS@ one OF them must
HSEzSszNsEMj&S be annie Lau-
VE8zNEN#VNNgS" rie;' and ! can't
gsW!vO'0 W. possiblyp afford
to give more than seventy dollars"
"I'll speak to Mr.. Malcolm, the pro-
prietor," said Miss Elson, the girl be-
hind the counter, q little bewilderel
by the loud voice and overwhelming
presence of the stout lady in the seal
skin coat and flashing diamond ear
drops, who stood opposite her.
''But I'm in hurry" said Mrs.
Wrangley, imperiously. "Cant you
show me some music boxes? It seems
to me that you must all be very stupid
here
"Ill speak to Mr.. Malcolm, :ma'a am, -
said Ella Elson, who was as accus-
toned, mutely, to receive and endure
insolence as is the "Aunt Sally" of
lawn games to be buffeted and NAL
treated.
And Mr.. Malcolm came, all smiles,
to minister to the whims of the rich
customer, whose carriage flashed back
the sunshine at the door.
"Ma, amt she pretty" whispered
Miss Amanda Wrangley, an overgrown
girl of fourteen, leaning her elbows on
the show case. II say, mn, won't you
buy me something new? Won't you,
ma? What's this? A canary!
didn't know they kept birds here
"It is an autometon," smiled Mr..
Malcolm, who had just reached down
m ebony music box, inlaid with glis.
tenins mother-of-pearl ornament.
"Miss Elson, wind up that bird. Let
Miss Wrangley hear. Yes. ma'am," to
the elderly lady, "this instrument has
annie Laurie in its repertoire. also. "
Miss ella Elson wound up the arti-
fetal songster, set it where Miss
Amandina could feast her ears and
eyes on its beauty, and then turned to
show backgammon boards to new
customer.
In seccnd-or, at least, so it
would seem--there was q crash! The
birdcaee was overturned, tho brill
liant plumed songs:er crushed, and the
solid sheet of glass that formed the
top of the show case splintered into a
score of broken fragments.
Mr.. Malcolm's hair bristlea with
surprise and indignation, as he turned
to view the general ruin.
"Miss Elson!" he exclaimed, wrath.
fully, ''how did this happen?'
81 ON sure, sir, do not know"
said poor Ella, who was as much
frightened as it the ceiling had fallen.
II was showing this gentleman q
backgammon board"
"Do not attempt to cover your
faults by falsehood," stcrnly spoke
the proprietor. 'It conld only have
been your carelesEness!'
While Miss Amandina Wrangley,
the actual culprit, stood staring at
the overthrow, and lacked the moral
courage to confess her own guilt.
INA would DO so cross il she had
to pay for the artificial Bird" said
Miss A,nandina to herself. "And
maybe she wouldn't buyme the music
box, and, anyhow, I dare cay, the
shop-girl won't mind little scolding. "
"If you did not DO it, Miss Elsou,"
said Mr.. Malcolm, majesticalIy, "who
did,"
81 don't know. SIR" Ella answered,
with varying color, ''but it WAS not
l."
"Don't contradict me-" said the
proprietor.
81 must speak the truth said Ella,
pleading]y. lyon ask nae, and
y THAT will DO" said Mr.. Malcolm,
waving his hand. II an not accus.
toned to handy words with my EN-.
ployes. Go to Miss Mason. She will
settle with you to date. I Shall not
require your services any longer"
Nh4oo AloOA th1uEN Nuu ODeNeu, al.
though blur seemed toscome before
her eyes and deadly weight op.
pressed the beating of her heart.
Every proper said Mrs. Wrans-
ley, opprovingly. 'Ibe young woman
needs discipline. She seems both
obstinate and stupid"
While Amardina, clinging close to
her mothers side, still maintained a
resolute silence.
The late afternoon sunshine vas jusI
fading ont of the little room unde,
the roof Of ruinous old building
near the docks, where Mrs. Elson sol
at work, ell surrounded with roses,
Tor she worked for dealer in arti
fetal covers. and was making iacque
minot roses for a large order from 6
Bowery nilIiner.
Thn 1rar q ,,,)a ljttlo u,nr,op r,ho