The French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1896-1912, 1908-11-05
CHAPTER /.

children in the world; children are
the greatest determination in exist
ence!1 said Reginald, threading his
cay through his -innumerable broth
ers and sisters to the schoolroom
fireplace. A small sister mad posses
sion of the best armchair, a faded
Ehfntz concern with ears to it. Reg
gle, OF course. dislodged. her and took
possession. while little Lefty, perfect
Nv satisfied of the droits dame, made
40 Temonstranec, but squatted on the
g1E.
They were all there. Reggie, home
Gfom Oxford: the beautiful --Ianet,
who enjoyed the privilege of being
grown up; Arthur, whose future fate
vas not decided, but who was the
ta1Iest, handsomest and most attrac-
tive looking of lads, though all IMAM
1mOusly, declared that he had inher-
tied Saxon wit with Saxon beauty,
and would never do any good with
his brains. Little Lefty, on the
hearth rug, crept up and leant
against his long less, sure of not be-
ing rejected there, even though she
might be an Inconvenience and al
Ways In the way.
TO1a, an abbreviation of Ceneren-
lola, or the Cinderwitch, sat upon the
table,, little sunburnt brunette Of
seventeen, with curly brown hair and
eyes like diamonds; and she had chill
dren all about her. Tommy, Johnnie,
Mary CilIy, Jack Eddie! No wonder
the splendid Reggie looked down on
the herd with the outspoken express
sion OF disgust, which nobody minded
I'm the least.
Janet settled her hair before the
cracked old mirror swell, Reggie"
she said, having called family
council, what is the result? Are we
not all In eommittee?"
You know as well as 1 do"
gFOWled Reggie. "We must resolve
ourselves into a Committee OF Ways
and Means. There is something up"
Something down, you mean,' said
Tommy, who was seribbling at a
table Mothers eyes are red.
That's nothing new" said lola,
GOrroTfuliy, hugging the baby.
Don't jaw, said Reggie, giving
Tommy little kick; which extorted
n growl of.~shut up-doi
4 imagine" said Janet, coming
forward. and looking lovely, "that
Che last remaining hope of the family,
the last diner at the tenants dinner,
mas given, notice to quit"
And like our first parents we shall
be reduced to living vaguely on the
fruits Of the earth" said lola.
And how to avert it?"
by putting our shoulders to the
wheel, said Arthur. "Of course, we
fellows must take whatever work
comes in our way"
Reggie" said Janet, timidly, ct
have taken a step already. / have
put In an advertisement offering my
self as a lady help, and 1 have two
or three answers here, which kept
to open at our meeting"
SO Thatswas the secret of our daily
lola. "Quick, Janet, do see what they
are about.
Janet opened the first two letters
and read them at first gaily, then
falteringly. The one offered intoIera-
BILE conditions, and the second held
out no hope Of any salary
ooh. dear! Oh. dear!" she sighed.
This will never do. Now for my
Last hope. -
The third letter proved to be only
an agents advertisement.
1 am glad of it," said Arthur i
Nonsense, Janet; mother would
never hear of such a thing. What
could possess you to imagine it? Let
ms be serious. You can still haEe}
Uncle Alfred's clerkship,. suppose, /
Redge?" -.
suppose So" rather sullenIy. /
Sixty pounds year; after. sending ]
1ne to Oxford, too. / wonder how he /
has the FACET" 4~ - |
IT wouldn't. despise sixty pounds ]
year. said Arthur. 81 wish /. had a /
chance of it"
never said I did despise it; only 1
when one has been brought up to ex-
Reet everything sto4sbe so differ
emit"
~Hush!" cried To1a. as not that
papa calling?" -
A stentorian voice rang through
the house s.7
Boys! say, boys!"
Reginald rose slowly and went
downstairs
Poor boy! It is hard on him."
said Janet. II really did think
Uncle Alfred would have acted diner
emily" $,
@Isthink it was very kind of him.
said lola; "and after all Reggie,s
prOtestatfons, it seems that he wants
10 give up the only chance any one
OF rs has had. except Tommy.
Tommy"
Yes, Tommy. No! don't froWn at
me- I did not mean to let it out, but
as IhaVe begun I may as well finish.
Tommy has earned ten shillings from
the Rlumtree Gazette y .ssss-ssf
Well done, Thomas! said Arthur.
pulling his brothers curly wig. sand
AoW?"
By my literary efforts said Tom