The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1897-01-23
spent her lite in q rolling-chair-she
had lOnc 400 lost the use of her limbs

and on the floor. BESIDE her, Sab II
child Of eight years, playing with the
damaged bits of red silk discarded ny
her mothers quick fingers.
She looked up with in exclamation
as the door opened.
"llamma, she cried, "its Ella"
"Ella!" exclaimed Mrs. Elson.
CLONE, at this time of day? My
dearest, what has happened?"'
81 am discharged, mammal said
Ella, endeavoring to speak firmly. "
have lost N.Y. situation!"
And then, ainging herself On the
floor at her mothers side, she buried
her face ID the poor cripple's lap, and
burst out crying.
While all this was Transporting, some
thing moro singular still had taken
place at the store where the automa.
ton bird had sung his last cantata. and
the music-box that played "Annio
Laurie" was being carefully packed
up. Mrs. Wrangley IVES just turning
to the door, when stout gentleman,
who had beeu sitting on red velvet
stool, near tho entrance, rose up-a
ponaerous individual, with fur lin
ings to his coat collar, and q red silk
pocket handkerchief tied around HIS
neck.
"Aha!" said the stout man, with q
nod.
"Why, it's Uncle Rob! said Aman.
dina.
"Oh, my brother!" said Mrs. Wrang'
ley. "Why Robert, when did you
come in?'
GIVE been here some ti,ne," said
Mr.. Robert Rudford; "I've been wait
ing for you to get through and recog'
nize me. Upon my word, sister Ser
ena, you're capital hand at driving
q bargain. / couldn't have bought
that muslc-box to better advantage
myself. Why, the shopman didn't
have the shadow of a chance"
Mrs. Wrangley bit her lip, but she
smiled. Uncle Rudford was person
OF too much Importance not to be
allowed to have his own way, even in
the matter of making disagreeable
remarks.
"But it wasn't quite the fair thing
OF you, niece Amandina," went on this
terrible old gentleman, ''to let that
poor shop-girl lose her place for your
clumsiness in tipping that automaton
bird over, and breaking the cover Of
the showcase, was it, now? Answer
me, honestiy!'
Amandina Wrangley hung down her
head.
"What" cried Mr.. Wrungley.
81 saw it ALL" said the old gentle.
man; 81 know Malcolm. I've lent him
money to carry on this very business,
and l shall speak to him. Don't look
so frightened, niece Amandina.
You're not going to be arrested. Only
let it be lesson to you through life,
that you can't do mean action With
out its being found out. Is this your
carriage, Serena? Let me help you
in"
And the next ba}f.hour tete-a-tcte
with her mother was lot q particularly
pleasant one for Miss Amandina
Wrangley.
"Just as your uncle was beginning
to be little fond Of You, too" said
the indignant matron; "anl now he's
thoroughly disenchanted, Amaudina, I
couldn't believe this OF you"
':But, mo-, whispered Amandina,
"you didn't tell tho storekccper that
day when you knocked the cut.glass
cologne bottle Oft the counter, and
broke ii. You said it was his business
to look after his Own goods. You told
me-
"Will you hold your tongue, miss 2"
said Mrs. Wrangley, with acerbity,
cts strange how little judgment girls
haTe!"
After due reflection she went to
Malcolm's, the next day, to inquire
how much damage she was liable for
in the matter Of her daughters cAre.
lessness, but was told that Mr.. Rul-
ford had settled all that.
"Dear, dear" sad Mrs. .Wrangley,
things are getting worse and worse.
Your uncle Robert is just enough OF a
modern Don Quixote to so chasing
around town TO hunt up hepert shop.
miss and restore her to her place. Men
are such fools where pretty girl is
concerned"
II don't think she's pretty bit, "
said Amnnaina, sullenly.
'Be quiet, Amanalna" said her
sharply. "You've done gate
mischief encngh already
Mrs. Wsangley proved q true pro.
phet. Uncle Bob, who had no par.
ticular business Of his own to mind,
had an especial penohant for the mind.
ing of othellpeople's affairs. He OBJ
tanned Mrs. Elson's address from Mr..
Malcolm, and went straight to the old
house on the docks, where dealer in
marine stores occupied the ground
floor, a family of Polish refugees