The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1901-02-15
ACall From Eliza
BY w. R. Rose.
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smooth, hard road that led to the high
way on the level below. The tall man
who had been resting on a rustic seat
arose and looked down at the approach
ing figures. One was a girl-a black
eyed girl with rather sharp features and
wavy, black hair. The other was a
boy-a rather stolid looking boy, whose
complexion and hair were light and
whose light eyes wore an uneasy look.
They were plainly but neatly dressed,
and both were scrupulously clean.
AS they came across the brow of the
slope the little girl caught sight of the
tall man and gave him bow and a
smile. The boy clung closer to her hand
and fell a little back
Sir she said, with a precise air, II
hope we are not intruding"
She was so quaint and old fashioned
and she looked up at him in such a frank
and honest way that smile rppled
across his pale and somewhat careworn
face
"No," he said, you are not ntruding.
You are both quite at liberty to enjoy the
grounds as long as you like"
There" said the quaint little girl,
with an air of triumph; Il told Henry so.
| said to him, Henry, as long as we are
well behaved they won't disturb us
What did you say to that Henry?
The small boy. pulled forward by the
girl, looked shyly at the tall man and
thus conveyed his answer:
Il said they'd set the dog on us and
chuck us out"
"Henrys from the country" said the
INT ;rl
suspicious. He's most 8, but he's small
for his age. His aunt sent him up to
visit us. He amt got any father or
mother, and she tied tag to him, but he
tore the tag all up cause he was 'shamed
of it. But you knew where we lived,
didn't you, Henry?'
You bet" said the small boy, with sol
emn earnestness.
"Sit down and rest yourselves" said
the tall man as he pointed to the rustic
seat.
THANK you," said the girl "Sit down,
Henry. I'm not tired myself. When you
do housework, you don't have time to get
tired, you know"
The tall man looked hard at the child.
This morning after breakfast daddy
gave me % cents and said, Now you and
Henry go for nice long ride on the
street cars. And one Sunday daddy took
me for a ride out in the east end, and
when we passed the gate down there he
said. That's the road up to very rich
mans house And said viii they let
people in there to see the beautiful
place. And daddy said, 4 guess they'd
let nice little girl in who didn't pick
flowers nor act impolite or nothing"
The tall man, who was leaning against
the arm of the rustic bench, laughed.
"May | ask your name?" he inquired.
"Pm Eliza Martin" replied the little
girl. My father is John Martin, and he
works in the rolling mill out at New
burg. Are you the gardener? p
The tall man laughingly shook his
head. "Then you're the 'sistant?" Again
he shook his head "Oh, know. You're
the man that shows people round?"
"Am p laughed the tall man. "Well,
guess am. Do you like flowers?
"Oh," cried the child in an ecstasy, 81
love them. I've got three potted plants at
home, and Mrs. Ryan says they're doing
fine. You love flowers. too. don't you.
HenryW
mo-" said the boy with great frmness.
Nevertheless they all went to the green
houses, and Eliza was in transport Of
delight as they wandered up and down
the perfumed aisles. Once the tall man
slipped away for moment and spoke to
some one on the outside, and presently
when they came from the last greenhouse
there stood trim little horse with a
broad seated phaeton behind him and a
man holding his head.
Now we will take a look about the
grounds" said the tall man. and the
children and the tall man got into the
phaeton and began the most delightful
ride that Eliza was quite sure she had
ever taken. Such splendid roads. such
beautiful views, such shady dells, such
sunny knolls! The girl prattled on with
out cessation, and the stolid Henry's eyes
grew big and bigger.
isn't it the loveliest ride, Henry"
she presently turned to him and asked.
Great" said Henry with strong en-
phasis.
'And don't you regret that you can't
20 to school?" the tall man presently
asked the girl.
Daddy feels worse about it than l
do" she answered. But every night he
ledCleS Sdh' hhh lShd piSAtS
good and spell a lot of words, and when
daddy gets his debts all paid maybe he'll
hire somebody to keep house for us and
send me to school for awhile. We talk
it over together lots of times"
When they finally drove up to the
house, fresh surprise awaited them.
81 want you to come in and have a lit
tie refreshment," said the tall man.
"Your ride must have made you hun
cry"
Henry's eyes snapped in anticipation,
but Eliza simply said: "Thank you. |
should like to taste somebody else's
cooking"
"The ladies of the family are not at
home," explained the tall man, $50 you
must accept my escort about the house."
And he took them into the great recep-
ton room and the parlor and the library
and presently back to the grand dining
room, where lunch was spread.
"And what do you think of the house?"
inquired the tall man. with quizzical
smile.
"I'd hate to have the care of It," said
the practical Eliza.
And then he seated them at the big
table, and Eliza pinned a napkin around
Heprv's neck. much to bis disgust. and
spread her own napkin across her lap.
There were two heaped up plates of won
derful sandwiches. and q pitcher Of milk,
- rtIwn~ I;ab nf xwhtfA muH walln-