The Opelousas courier., 1904-07-23

AN ACT OF CHARITY.



Mrs. Boldero, having been advised b,
the doctor ito keep up her strength,
had ordered for luncheon a rump
steak-and-kidney pudding, which sh
was just about to carve, and some NUT
ton outlets, now in front of Miss Luc.
Westlake. her companion, whose prin
cipal duty vas to read Mrs. Boldero t.
sleep after the present meal and din
ner.
The pudding was served in a whits
basin with a napkin around it, and tht
parlor maid stood interestedly looking
on while Mrs. Boldero cut a V-shapec
piece out Of the top, placed this on
plate, and began to spoon out thseseon'
tents. Suddenly, pausipgne51th ths
spoon in her rfgssFnand, she turned
wrathfully toward Mary.
Where" she severely demanded
ARE the %kidneys?"
Cook said the butcher didn't send
them in time" was the answer.
Mrs. Boldero felt disappointed. She
had thought Of the pudding once or
twice since her 10 o'clock breakfast,
take it away!" she exclaimed, and
Lucy Westlake tried somewhat marked.
ly to look as if the affair possessed no
interest in the world for herself, as,
indeed, it would if Mr.. Roper had not
CHANGED to pass the house at that mo-
ment.
Mr.. Roper occupied one roo in a
very small house a few hundred yards
away; there he had lived as long as
Mrs. Boldero could remember, and, al
though she had naturally W spoken
to the old man, he was well known to
her and to most other persons in the
,neighborhood by sight.
He looked more than 60 years of age;
he was short, erect, and remarkably
thin. His limp-brimmed felt hat, once
black, and o become green, his tight
ly fitting coat and faded from dark
blue to brown. AS Mrs. Boldero had
often remarked, "a crossing-sweeper
could not have dressed more stability"
yet his white hair was always closely
cut, his chin clearly shaver, his large
mustache carefully curled. From n
of her servants (Mrs. Bodero had a
habit Of exchanging condolences of the
kind) she had learned that Mr.. Roper
half-starved himself. HE certainly
looks as If a good meal would do him
good" she would remark.
Nevertheless, Mrs. Boldero felt a
kind of interest in the old man, who
often passed her window, and this af-
ternoon she happened to look up in
time to recognize him.
"Ah! she cried, sit would be an act
oftcharity to give it to that poor mani"
Who is that?" asked Lucy, helping
herself to the smallest outlet.
MIR. Roper" was the answer. at
would make him a meal every day for
a week. have a good mind to send
it."
ooh, but"
81 beg your pardon? said Mrs. Boil
dero, sharply.
Lucy's cheeks were crimson, for she
perceived what Mrs. Boldero could not
see, that, although his clothes were ft
for the dust-bin, Mr.. Roper was a gem
'You couldn't do such a thing MUIR
INJURED Lucy.
Not perform an act of charity? And
Why not, pray??' asked Mrs. Boldero.
Mary" she added, take away my
plate and the pudding. I will have some
Cook can put the basin in a
basket and Miss Westlake shall carry
It to poor Mr.. Roper directly after
Lucy Westlake looked inclined to re
bel. But, although Mrs. Boldero might
,e q trying woman to live with in many
respects, Lucy had a comfortable home,
with sufficient salary to enable her to
help her W people. Caution prevail
she set forth half an hour later
with tingling cheeks and reluctant
steps. Lucy vas %, fair hairea:~and
a sensitive plant forced by cir
,umstances into a stony garden. A
gfdebrimmed hat shaded her face from
he sun, the basket hung on her left
lrm as she timorously drew near to
he terrace Of small houses where Mr..
Roper lodged.
Lucy's voice trembled as a short.
stout, red-faeed woman opened the
Itreet door.
May I speak with Mr.. Roper" she
lsked, and turning her back, the wom-
N of his house shouted his name at
he foot of the narrow staircase. He
anne down q few moments later In the
ct OF buttoning his shrunken. faded
oat, too courteous to betray surprise.
90 hungry to refrain from smiling
lightly as the SAVIOR Of the steak pud-
Ing tickled his nostrils.
You wished to see me" he inquired,
nth a bow.
aYe-es, If you please. said Lucy.
from the basket to Mr.. Ro-
face and scarcely knowing how
o explain her errand.
"A remarkably fine day. cried Mr..
topper, with a cough.
sMrs.-Mrs. Boldero saw you pass
window" Lucy faltered.
II have not the-er-pleasure OF Mrs.
'oldero's acquaintance, / believe
STILL" said Lucy, becoming more
ervous every instant, she knows YOU
reIl by sight"
Mr.. Roper Strengthened his back; ne
ad been somewhat of a buck in his
ay-major in a line regiment, retired