Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1897-11-04
CHAPTER LIE.

The carriage drew up before one of
the most imposing of these buildings
Ia large, double-fronted, four-storied,
brown mansion, with wrought-iron
balconies, plate-glass windows, mar
BILE steps. and all the external evi-
dences of wealth. taste and ma ynifi-
cence. Lights cleaned through the
nearly-closed shutters of the windows,
showing life, warmth and brilliancy
within.
While Elite gazed in stupefaction on
this magnificent dwelling. Mrs. Pinch
EFT said:
Here we are, my dear, at your
grandmother's house; take up your
little dog, and let's get out"
That" exclaimed Elite, with Eyes
and mouth wide open with astonish-
ment. why that Is not my grand
mothers house. My grandmother lives
in ever such a pretty white cottage.
with a flower garden all around it!
not in n grand palace like this
who told you so, my dearg' in
quired Miss Pinchett, as the driver
opened the door and let down the
steps.
why, nobody told me: thought so
of my own self" said Elite.
"Then you are mistaken, my dear:
your grandmother lives here replied
Miss Pinchett. as she alighted and
assisted Elite to get out.
The driver had already gone up to
the door and Knocked and rung.
Elite and Miss Pinchett went up the
steps, and by the time they reached
the top the door was opened by a
black footman In livery.
ss1Nan xar. y,icfrocO that hayn
brought her granddaughter home,"
said Miss Pinchett to the footman.
"Yes. mum-cert'ney, m~um-please
to walk in here, num-" replied the
man, with a low bow at the end of
every phrase. as he led the travellers
through the fine entrance hall to an
elegant little reception parlor, whose
floor was covered with a blue and
white velvet carpet. so rich that Elite
hesitated to step on it; and whose
window curtains. and chair and sofa
cover We're all of pale-blue and sill
ver-satin damask. A chandelier of
silver and crystal hung from the cell
ing and illumined the room. Elite
took nj n clean pocket handkerchief,
and laid it very carefully over n of
the small reception chairs before she
ventured TO sit down on a thing so ell
egant.
As soon rs the servant had disaD-
peared. Elite, sitting upon the very
edge of the chair, whispered, in awed
tones:
What does the black man wear
sIch fine soldiers clothes for, Miss
PinchettT"
1T Is not soldiers clothes; it is liv-
cry. my dear"
And what is livery. Miss Pinchett?"
"A particular sort of a servile uni
form. worn by the servants of indi-
vidual families. to distinguish them
from the servants of other wealthy
families"
"Oh!-how very light the house is.
as light as day, and a great deal light
er than some days. 1t really makes
my eyes ache, What n deal of oil it
must take. not only to light the house,
l mean. but to light the great streets
we passed through. Why. / should
think 1t would take all the oil of all
the whales in all the oceans In the
world to feed tliemr' said Elite, gaZ-
ing. open-mouthed about her.
1T is not oil; 1t is gas, my dear"
"And what Is gasp
.Well. I hardly know myself: ex-
cept that 1t is a subtle, invisible agent
made from coal. and much used by
the people Of the cities to light up
their streets and houses, and also by
politicians in their stump speeches to
dazzle the intellects of the voters"
As Miss Pinchett got through this
luminous description Of a luminous
subject, the footman re-entered the
parlor, and, with three bows. said:
IF you please, num-, you and the
young lady. mum. Is to walk up stairs
to the dressing-room, num-"
"You must show us the way, them"
said Miss Pinchett.
"Cert'ney. mum, cert'ney." replied
tho footman. with two bows.
Elite and Miss Pinchett arose and
followed their conductor through the
spacious hall, up the broad staircase
and into a lofty front room on the
first floor. the splendor of which SO
blinded the eyes of Elite that she
could make out nothing but a glow Of
rose-colored satin damask and sofa
covers, and window curtains, a CLEAN
Of lofty mirrors, "A drift of lace-draped
dressing table and a dazzle of gas
light over all.
At last. through the splendid con-
fusion. advanced a stately and beauti-
full woman, whose elegant mourning
dress OF black moire-antique, trimmed
with Grape, only rendered her blonde
beauty more radiant by its contrast.
Her plump neck and arms were bare,
and adorned by a necklace and brace
lets of jet that set off to the best adj
vantage the snowy whiteness Of both.
Her fair and classic face was flushed
with a delicate bloom. Her graceful
head had no other ornament thar its
own rich golden-auburn braids and
ringlets. There was a shade of deep
sacness upon this stately lady's face,
yet through it all she smiled as she
advanced toward the travellers. and
giving the precedence first to age. of
fered her hand to Miss Pinchett, say
ing:
Il am very glad to see you ma'am,
and to thank you very mich for
bringing Miss Burns so safely to us,
Please take a seat"
Miss Pinchett bowed and said:
"Not at all! 1t was quite a pleas.
ure," and sat down upon m of the
o e-colored sofas.
Then the lady turned to Elite, and
drew her to her bosom In a warm EN-
brace, saving: