The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-10-25

drowned in tears-"the high-born lady
knows my father is poor, and the crops
-ah, yes. the Jew would have had all
Of the crops If he had but waited, but
he says it is not enough. and besides
OH oh! he thinks the crops will fail
this year. The snow lay so long on my
fathers little fields-just where my
fathers fields are II is fat-and when
the thaw came the water did not run
off. and the seed is not coming up well,
and the Jew says it must have rotted
in the ground! And he will not wait.
he will not waltz
III mimi" said Baron Charles
And now continued Minka. with a
gasp. 'he wants to take everything
our house and the fields and every
thing My father and mother and all
the children-there are six at home
younger than I-they will all. all be
turned out TO die, unless-unless--"
Here, with burst of sobs. she hid
her face in her hands: The tears
dripped through her fingers and one
fell with a splash on the black silk
dress
Baroness Betty Immediately wiped it
or and moved a little further away.
but she spoke very kindly.
Unless what, my child?"
"oh, gracious lady. unless 1 break my
promise to Janko and give him-the
yuicIred TeU-an 7 have al bax,a
worked SO hard for-this dress. and my
four aprons and my bridal gown, and
even-even my wedding cap-and the
feather beds"
The Baron Charles stamped with his
little polished boot and struck his fore
head with a groan.
And that is not ALL" pursued the girl
almost inarticuletely. He says-he says
I must not marry; I must remain a
servant for three years more and give
him all my wages-only in that way can
the debt he paid for he says he will not
trust TO my father any longer. Unless
agree to that he will take everything
and turn my father and mother and lit
/ tie ones out upon the road. Dear mis-
tress. how can let them be turned out
| upon the road?"
The baron groaned again and mechan-
ically began to search his pockets. They
did not contain much. A pocket hand
kerchief very coarse and clean. with
an embroidered monogram in one cor
ner-Betty's work; a pair of cotton
| gloves. with fingers OF somewhat pecu-
liar shape. for they were also made by
Betty; a very old pipe and a few cop
| per coins. valuing each the tenth part
of a penny Baron Charles liked to have
a number Of these in his pocket. for he
never could pass a beggar without be-
slowing on him some aims. just as he
never could pass child without press
ing a sugar plum into it's little expectant
inventory of his portable possessions
And. in truth. with the exception Of his
hat. his stick and very few articles OF
wearing apparel. he owned no others
Betty kept the meager purse, not indeed
because the tiny stipend upon which
]
the case-but because. as she used tc
say sometimes, with a little chuckle
ces messieurs were inclined to be ex,
travagant.
Her voice now broke in upon his abor,
tive calculations.
''Minka. my child. this is very sad. bu
what can be done7 You cannot refus,
to help your family"
But there is Janko,'' walled MInka
He has already waited four years:
cannot expect him TO wait another
three. And then II the Jew takes all
have how can he marry me7 How car
anyone be a bride without clothes?"
My good girl" said the baron. re
viving sufficiently to be little jocular
1T is you whom your sweetheart Il
marrying and not your clothes. II III
has the heart Of gallant man. as an
sure he has. he will marry you in you
canvas petticoat."
Minka gazed at him for n moment