The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-12-05

tions could be secured. Dirt and confu-
sion ruled over all, their reign disputed
only by q Smell-forceful, emphatic and
self-assertive; very terror OF Smell,
which met me at the door and wel-nigb
denied me entrance, and being dehed
chung around me and tried its best to
strangIe me as long as | remained under
that portion of the Clemen tina street roof
which shuts away the Brotsky fiathold-
more's the pity-from the purifying winds
and rains of high heaven.
The presence OF a rusty cook stove in
active operation and greasy sink in the
corner nearest the window apprised me
that was in the kitchen of the esta blish
ment; it was also evidently the dining
room and parlor. Through an open door
l had a slanting view of another room,
the view EN- bracing only sort of trundle
bed, IN which, among tumble of soiled
quilts, sat q pale old woman with her
head tied up in a once white cloth and
dingy little shawl pinned across her bent
old shoulders. She looked out at me with
the cowe6 and furtive expression OF a
uch-beaten animal and then busted
herself pulling the bedclothes about, aim
lessIy affecting to be unaware of my in
terrogative presence. Mrs. Brotsky,
dowager, was evidently not receiving on
this particular day. nor was her daughter
n-law, who had, though audible to my
guide previous TO the opening of the door,
become invisible when l entered the
portal.
A small man extricated himself from
a clatter of pans and dishes at the sink
and came forward wiping his hands on
his trousers legs He was man OF per-
haps a few wears over 40 and weil-looking
of his kind, with rather unusually good
features, closely curling brown hair,
really handsome full beard, long and
curling as that of Jove himself, and most
obsequious manner.
He was Mr.. Brotsky7 l asked the
question merely as a matter OF form, for ]
knew from a description that had been
furnished me, as well as the unsought
testimony of my young cavalier of a few
moments before. that he was. But to nv
utter surprise and the almost complete
paralyzation of his astonished off pring
WHO was acting as master of ceremonies
he smilingly denied the imputation. He
was not that gentleman, oh, no; that gen.
tJeman had gone away, out in the country.
to return possibly tomorrow, or the mex
day, or, possioy-his eyes grew dreamy
with speculaIiou-not until next week A
gIoan from the next room punctuat.d his
remarks Evidently the sick woman
owned something like a conscience and
her sons denial OF his identity caused her
pain; or else her feminine subtlety made
her feel that he had done a most unwise
thing in eliminating him self before he
n d learned my GRAND.
Could l see Mrs. Brotsky thenP The
slightly ajar door at my side quivered
anxIously, but the Brotsky who was not
Brotsky frowned darkly in its direction
and regretted much that the lady OF the
fat was also absent. Was there no one 10
whom l could speak of matters concerning
the familyP The old lady in that other
room-she was Mr.. Brotsky's mother l
knew, and she could doubtless tell m
what l wished to know-but a very deter
mined shoulder was interposed between
me and any communication with that
inner room. She could tell nothing; she
as too old, and 1t was not we'll for her 10
see company. II / had business l might
tell II 10 him, he was a friend of the
family. staying there to look out for Things
during the absence of the RICH tful heads o.
the e>tab lsnment, and he was the soul of
reliability and prudence.
Part OF my business was TO find out
something definite about the family and
It's circumstances, but my questions hit
against a solid wall of simulated ignor-
ance and bounded merrily back to me nm
answered. This trusted friend of the fam.
lily knew nothing. asked nothing, and
speculated not at all concerning the al
1airs of the eight who made this place
their home. Indeed he did not know that
there were eight of them, for when l asked
him how many children there We're in the
family he declared that he was unaware
of their exact mum Der.
81 count no mans children for him" he
said loftily; Get each man count his own.
If Mr.. Brotsky was here he light tell you.
l cannot