Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1900-03-08
A Paying Guest.

- raging uueSl.
The Graysons were annoyed, and they
| had good reason to be. Their ex-
! penses insisted upon exceeding their
| income. 1t was not the fault of the
| GraysOns-it was the fault Of the in
come. Nor could they find any solu-
ton to their problem. Pa Grayson
had been in the same position at the
railroad Office for fifteen years, and
the likelihood was that he would be
there Till he died. His salary was not
elastic, 1t remained the same yes
tcrday, today, and forever. II the
wants of his family had been as fixed
all would have been well. But as
Marcie and Odele, the two handsome
daughters, grew older and the social
position of Mrs. Grayson became more
assured, it was dHicult-nay, i'm
poSsibe-for the Graysons to live on
the same amount that they had in the
comfortable old days when the girls
were little. and the only thought that
Philip Grayson and his wife had was
10 give the little things a few simple
pleasures and a common education.
1t would be unfair to accuse the
Graysons Of extravaganza. The girls
rontrived their own frocks, and Mrs
Grayson was a wonderful cook, 50
! they managed with a minimum of
help But still the bills crept UP till
the three women came to have feel
ing that they We're turning poor Pa
Grayson into a dray horse. They did
not like that idea. They wanted Pa
Grayson, not for his power Of dragging
heavy loads, but because he was their
own, dear Pa.
" don't know enough to teach, ;"
complained Marce to her mother 81
suppose neither you nor Pa would
hear to me working in a store. And |
haven't a talent in the world, unless
| ii is for bieng amusing and the only
way could get anything out of that
questionable accomplishment would be
to go upon the stage
"Why, Marcie,' said Ma Grayson, re
p"oachfully. You really must not
talk so recklessly. You almost shock
me, my dear"
20, II | didn't quite do it, mamma,
You will forgive me. feel deeply.
must express myself with vehemence.
You say We are two months behind
with the rent?"
Ma Grayson nodded dejectedly.
at must have taken a great deal of
lev, MN Inv Inn n
cried Odele kissing her mother to take
the sting out of her words, ITO succeed
in making two girls as utterly useless
as we are.
Won are far from being useless
returned Ma Grayson with dignity.
You are simply not commercial Your
father and | are deeply panied that
You have to be made acquainted at all
with our embarrassing condition"
The girls laughed at Mas dignity
They told her she was dear old
goose and they rumpled her hair up
and pulled her tie around under her
ear, and leased her tin she begged for
mercy
1t was the evening Of the day on
which this conversation occurred that
Odele came running down to the
dinner table with the paper in her
hand.
Listen TO this" she cried.
" Wanted-A refined and cultured
home where gentleman can live as
a paying guest and where no board
erS are taken.
"Well9" asked PA Grayson. rather
coldly. He was altogether too proud
for a man with non-elastic salary.
We'll, dear dad, that is for us The
paying guest was designed for our
needs. OF course, you and ma would
never take boarders Not on any ac-
count, But 4 paying guest'-why, it
would actually be a distinction He
can have the big front room with the
| alcove OFF Marcie and | will be just
as comfortable in the back room-and
anyway, We like to get the southern
outlook, Come, be dear ducks, and let
me answer this advertisement"
But he might not like us 0dele
and then think how mortified We
N''uu o. 1uletlcu Nd JTdNson. VINO
| il IL unnecessary TO explain, was ac-
Icustomed to meet only with the polite
/ phases of life Odele threw back her
| big blond head and laughed
Il shall answer tie advertisement at
once, she announced.
Ten DAYS later -, paying guest"
moved into the z 10y ion second 'front.'
with alcoye ue wing was 4 seri-
Gus underta ~ he was possessed