The Irish standard., 1908-03-28
CHAPTER vi,
The Genius Of Bernard's.


A narrow planed and painted strip
on the largest false front in town an
nounced Demands Hotel" The per-
sonality indicated by the name "Ber-
nard" was miner, an incurable, al
ways wandering in the silent noun
tafns. always just going to Strike it
RICH But Sally Bernard. his wife,
was equal to her lone hand" and
scrupulously faithful to her husbands
interests. For her mother and her
daughter Viola she made home, hap.
py If rude; for her husband she made
dollars that he dropped into his pros
pecting holes.
The hotel was the most imposing
structure In the town and aggressively
new. The odor of pitch met the guest
before his entrance. and continued
with him, warning he wisely needed
by keeping away from all partitions.
Doors and windows stood. open to
patrons and flies alike, for the tenn
perature spoke of summer, though the
calendar said winter.
Sally Bernard was known from Sac.
ramento to Virginia City as Sally B.,
and it was in her motherly heart and
home that Stella Anthony, orphaned
and kinless, found her niche and her
work.
why, Mrs. Bernard, you've only
known me few weeks. I'm not wise
enough to be Viola's teacher"
They were sitting in grandma'am's
room, which was family bedroom, sit.
ting room and parlor, conglomerate
Of furniture, color and uses, that none
but q Observation-Disclosures frontier
woman could have evolved. A wide
shelf high above the floor extended
the length Of the longest wall. Under
this two rough bedframes we're hooked
up, though the mattresses were the
best that money could buy. Beside
them were homemade dressing cases,
q washstand with pail for a pitcher,
a gourd for dipper and a shining
brass basin. Nails adroitly disposed
utilized every angle for hanging
clothes.
Stella gave Sally B. no time to re-
ply, but went on firmly: you need
capable governess for her, one who
can prepare her to meet life. OF
that am as ignorant as little child.
I'm quite satisfied with the dining
room work, Mrs. Bernard"
Don't Mrs me; amt used to it.
AS for knowledge, you know heap
sight more'n Viola; an anyway. l
want her to be with you. I might
hire herd of governesses, an not git
the right kind. There's more'n arth-
metic an fancy readin' girl will
learn from her teacher"
Stella's voice was grateful. "But
Mrs.-but-"
Call me Sally B.. like the rest
does"
mo, I'll call you Mrs. Sally. l
shan't earn my living. Mrs. Sally"
Sally BIS black eyes snapped. III
you don't you'll be the first ever took
Sally BIS money without givin' value
received
Stella smiled. She had already seen
house where strikers could hide; yet
If one were i'll or unfortunate. no other
good Samaritan than Sally BIS self
was needed.
I'll send to Auburn an git the
same books they use in the schools
there You can put vi through from
. to 10. help me in the dinin' room on
busy days. an keep school agin from
two to four. Here in g.andma'am
room can be the place. An I'll double
your wages. How'll that suit?"
Its not a question of how it will
suit me: it's all on my side. Let me
make the beds and sweep Saturdays
and 1t will be nearer fair"
Sweep? Have Viola's teacher
sweep? No. stree! An I wouldn't
let you go in that corral for six bits
minute!"
Viola entered, small, childish in fig
ure. old of face, yet lovely in coloring.
Between her dark mother and grand