Gulf Coast breeze. [volume] (Crawfordville, Fla.) 1897-19??, 1898-05-27
Next came Mrs. Emmons.

the girl, mechanically.
'I've come 10 ask you about your
plans, added the plump widow. BE.
cause, II you have no other intentions,
I'll be glad TO have you help me with
the housework. I'm goin' 10 have q
house full o. summer boarders, aud
there'll be q deal more work than me
AMI Elviry can manage. OF course
you won't expect no pay, but good
home is what you need most"
stop minutel' said Joanna. Am
I to understand that you expect me to
assume the position and duties of a
servant, without servants wages?"
you'll be member ofthe family, "
said Mrs. Emmons; "and you'll set at
the same table with me and Elviry."
II am much obliged to you," said
Joanna, but l must decline your kind
offer"
And Mrs. Emmons departed in
wrath, audibly declaring her convic-
ton that pride was certain, sooner or
later, TO have fall.
II have plenty of friends" said
Joanna, courageously, or rather dear
grandpapa had. / am sure to be pro-
vided for"
But Squire Barton looked harder
than any flint when the orphan came
TO him.
Something to do, Miss Fox?" said
he. well, that's the very problem
OF the age-womsn's work, you know;
and amt smart enough to solve il.
Copying' No, our firm don't need
that sort Of work. Do know OF any
one that does? N-no, I cant say I do;
but II ! should hear Of an opening,
I'll be sure TO let you know. Aheml
I'm little busy this morning, Miss
Fox; sorry 1 cant devote more time
to you. John, the door. Good morn
ing. my dear Miss Foxl I assure you,
you have mine and Mrs. Barton's
prayers in this sad visitation of an i'm
scrutable Providence"
Old Miss Grunge, who had fifty
thousand dollars at interest, and who
had always declared that she loved
dear Joanna Fox like daughter. sent
down word that she wasn't very well,
and conduit see company.
Doctor Wentworth, in visiting
whose invalid daughter poor old Par
son Fox had contracted the illness
which carried him to his grave. was
brusque and short. The doctor was
sorry for Miss Joanna, of course, but
no didn't know of any way in which
he could be useful. He understood
there was kid.glove factory to be
opened on Walling River soon.
mo doubt Miss Fox could get a
place there; or there could be NO OBJ
lection to her going out to domestic
service. There was q great deal Of
false sentiment on this subject, and he
thought"
But Joanna, without waiting for the
result Of his cogitations, excused her
self. She would detain him no longer,
she said; and abe went away, with
flaming cheeks aud resolutely re-
pressed tears.
When she got home. she found one
of the trustees OF the church awaiting
her. He didn't wish TO hurry her. he
said, but the clergyman didn't want to
live in such ruinous old place; and
il was their calculation, as the pArson-
age was mortgsged much beyond its
real value, to sell it out, and buy n
new frame house, near the railroad
station, with all the modern convent
ences, for the use Of the Rev. Sias
Speakwell.
Am / 10 be turned out Of my
homer" said Joanna, indignantly.
Deacon Blydenburg hemmed and
hawed. He didn't want to hurt No
ones feelings; but ~ to her home, it
was we'll known that to oil intents and
purposes the old place had long ago
passed out Of Parson Fox's owner.
ship; and they we're willing to accord
her any reasonable length Of time 10
pack up and take leave Of her friends
say q week.
so Joanna, who could think OF no
remaining friend but her old COVER
ness, who had long ago gone to New
York TO fight the great world for her.
self, went down TO the city, aud APP
pealed to Miss Woodin in her extrem-
ity; and Miss Woodin cried over her,
and kissed her and caressed her, like
an old maiden aunt
"Whst am I to do?" said poor. pale
Joanna. 81 cannot starver'
There's no necessity for any one
starving in this great, busy world"
said Miss Woodin, cheerfully. "All
one wants In faculty."
Joanna shrank littlefrom the hard,
stereotyped word, which she had so
often heard from the lips Of Mrs.
Emmons, Miss Sabins Sexton, end
that sisterhood.
"But how do you live?" said she.
''Do you see that thing there in the
corner?" said Miss Woodin.
l..