The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1897-07-15
Observation-Disclosures
How the DaniOrthS Moved. !
BY GLEN HATHAWAY. )

observation-disclosures
THE Danforths were NOV ing that
first of May. 1t was their fourth
hove in three years, very unusual rec
ord for a 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
gears.
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 Aprii' 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
all 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
might say something against, but
won't, because-wcll. because ! won't,
Dick" she lucidly explained, with a
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. "It's
cramped and shabby and inconvenient
in, every way. When / thiak 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 sweetheart's small brown hands,
that We're 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
rs maid-of-nll-work and general man
ager as long as the money comes in so
slowly and the children grow out of
their clothes so fast. Therel don't let
us waste any more time tonight talk
ing of disagreeables or OF what can't
be-
IF your grnnd-aunt only hadn't
made such ,eruelly unjust will" Dick
began'agafn; 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
to suit herself, ms probably shall If ever
am wealthy old spinster and able to
afford dislilcs; and what is the use of
ifs? Once moro l suggest that you
start some plcasanter topic this last Of
our evenings on this pleasant old
porch"
Apparently he obeyed; for their talk
grew low-toned, and her pretty dark
bend and his coniely, 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 il. The
lacks were out of the carpet, and the
bookcase was empticd and it's contents
piled in corner.
The handsome furniture-much too
handsome and aristocratic in its state
~ old-fashion for the cramped little
room with its cheap, glazing. gilt paper
and worn carpet-borc traces of rough
usuage. Frances stopped on her way
to he'd TO pityingly study the scratches
md dents on secretary of inlaid ma
hopanv.
The furniture had been the sole leg
acy left Mr.. Dnnforth by the will Of his
Aunt Deborah, an eccentric old lady
who had practically adopted him as
II boy. brought him up in idleress to
expect her money, and turned him out
a penny when he declined to
marry to please her and did marry TO
please himself
His wife was an orphan, with pleas
ant house of her own, which Frances
etill regretted, and he had gore to
work gallontly TO support himself and
his, ard for time had prospercd. But
having no profession and being without
much business faculty, Mr.. Danforth
had failed to attain more than n 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 and
other needs ate into the family income
did not improve her chances of re-
cSvery.
When at length Miss Deborah died, it
was found that she had left oil her valu-
nble antique furniture to her nephew,
rs the last of the Danforths, coupled
with the provision that he should for
felt it if he ever attempted to sell
rirrle piece. and had bequeathcd her