The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-12-14
CHAPTER xIv.-continued.

"who is Miss Barter?' said Lizzie
very colby.
under Mr.. Dowling's. But she CONC
out OF the White Hart--nnd IL WINS
the ladies'. ! wouldn't go near her or
her shop. Don't you ever have moth.
ing to do with her, Miss"
~ certainly shall not" said Lizzie.
YOU know there used to be talk
about her and Mr.. Jack--though Mr..
Bowling speaks up for her, and says
that was Just talk. But what say
Is this It's cruel thing OF her to 20
disturbing him after his days work.
and forcing him downtown--taking
her to the theatre and wasting HIS
hard earned shilllngs-and bringing
him into worse danger"
What danger?"
why said Mrs. Price solemnly. II
mean his being led astray by all TINT
wicked drinking lot thne hangs about
the theatre. When gentleman is SO
kind in his heart as Mr.. Jack, he hasn't
always the stren'th to say no--aisl
then It's one glass on top of another
until he has to be punished with the
bad headache next day-and not 1T Cor
his work"
punishment could be too severe for
gentlemen who went to the play with
impudent and vulgar drcssmdkers. She
expressed no sympathy.
"He had the headache tho other
morning" Mrs. Price continued sadly,
"and lie arst me to give him pick
me.up while he was doing his work at
that table But said: No. Mr.. Jack.
No pick -me-up will I get you-unless
It's cup OF tea He turned that off
with joke. and said the doctors had
scared him about tea--and tea was
jumpy stun to take except at tea time.
That was his Joke" and Mrs. Price
smiled. with affectlonate tolerance.
He called me Pricey-picey and made
a face at me and my ten--and then
laugh. OF course had to laugh, too"
HAD your" said Lizzie. without the
least smile. TT doesn't strike me ns
very funny"
NO, NJ ss Lizzie" and Mrs. Price be-
came iinpressively serious again. God
forbid / should see fun In drinking.
But didn't mean was afraid OF his
ever taking 1t heavy--like to destroy
him as we've seen happen In this
house-to our sorrow. But it's easy
for a gentleman to take more thans
properly good for hiin--when hc'gI
drawn into bad company"
If he drinks" said Lizzie colby,
my father will discharge him"
Yes. Miss Lizzie, but your father
can't discharge Mr.. Jacks shedding ~
his blood for him. And. I do say.
miss. TIN be on all our conscience If
we don't look after him and keep him
steady. now he's thrown over all them
as ought to look after him. and pu.
himself In our hands. Il. That's what
1 say, Miss Lizzie" and Pricey said 1t |
quite defiantly, and then moved to-
wards the kitchen door.
I've nc fear" she added, turning
again. while he's here along with us. |
But it's the evenings when he has no
one to look after him--except It's that
Miss Barter. Who's Miss Barter, I'd I
like to know" asked Mrs Price. In a |
sudden burst of indignation. What's I
he got to do with her? Let her mind /
her pins and needles. She was never +
q friend of the family UP at Hill +
House--or it's news to me II she was"
"Of course, she wasn't"
NO, ana not friend for him. NIlss I
Lizzie. I've spoke not to Brighten you. !,
only laying II before you-to take
more interest and use your influence.
Why not give him some OF your books |
for him to pass the time with? Or
why NOT let him spend his eVeningsI
the master, or playing of game at
the cards? You know how he used 10
love the cards--and what II rare hand
ne was with them. -. Eol aren't an
cry for my speaking? But do say,
we shouldn't neglect him He's trying
to do right, and it's for us tn strcn'then
him as best we can"
Then Lizzie. alone In the big room
sat thinking of Jack. She had work
to do. but AIRS. Price had put her Off
IL She was making manifold copies
OF the draft building agreement pre-
pared by Mr.. Eaton, the solicitor. This
contained conditions us to construc-
ton OF houses-sixpence haIfpenny per
cubic foot. etc.-togcther with theI
TERMS of the nInety-nine years. lease
that Mr.. crundcn would grant, when
the houses were built. Copies OF tkoI
lraft We're sent to all who seemed dig
posed to treat for Mr.. Crunden's eltgl-
de plots. Jack was always greedy for
the typewriter copies-could not have
too many of them. clamored for them,
and undoubtedly squandered postagel