Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-02-18
" was all the Cursew's fault" sighed Mother
b THE Curfew's?"
4 We'll, Charlotte is intense, dear. And
$3.50 highminded"

We'll, Charlotte is intense, dear And
$3.50 highminded"
Charlotte is an orphan, and Fathers ward
and perfectly beautiful, and horribly poor.
Don't know that? But what had Curfew to
do with il, pray?"
And she has always felt that Langdon Bogardus
had some such low, material tastes.-Luoy Ann, run
along to the library, dear
ran, obedicntly. But not quite out Of earshot
The poor child longed for them to be truly
consenial! But Langdon could never rise to her
standard. He loathes good music; yet he sings
coster songs and impersonates deiciousy. And
Charlotte felt it sheer contrariness. that he
would appreciate better things"
"And the final break came right there Don't you
remember the Iiasty Puddings Reunion, just before
you sailed?"
Il should hope did," Father chortled. And Bogar-
dus spoke pieces, Marco Bozzaris,' and Curfew
bonnet, and panalettes, and shaving curls. ana
lisp. Can't hear him?
at midnight, in hith guarded tent,
"The Turk wath dreaming
"Unluckily, that affair fell on one OF Charlotte's
most soulful days And while you and l sat Shrek
Ing for Joy at Langdons antics Charlotte sat IN
smiling, rigid statue. l knew tremendous
storm brewing. They encored him five times
you remember; and for the sixth you rushed
behind the scenes and dragged him out and made
him speak 'Curfew again, twice over When he
finally escaped. he came grnning down to Charlotte
and me. His pink sunbonnet hung down his back
ms shaving curls were over one eye, his rufed pima
fore was ripped from chin to toes, where he'd swung
out into the belfry with the Curfew. He didn't look
like dignifed Corporation lawyer I'll admit.
began chatting him. but he didn't hear me. He was
waiting for Charlotte. And she never glanced his
way"
~ say, Charlotte he began haven't you any
bouquets tonight? Not even bone to throw your
"Charlotte's lashes narrowed exasperatingly
Really Haven't you won sufficient praise?' said
she Longdon turned crimson through his grease
paint
I'm sorry you didn't like It, Charlotte knew
Marco Bozzaris' would bore you But hoped you'd
laugh at the 'Curfew.'"
Curfew seemed even more tedious than the
other selections said Charlotte, deliberately. I
dont believe that care ever to hear you recite
"Langdon turned on her." said Mother His
ook made quake.
Very well, Charlotte. You will not hear ne
speak 'Curfew again. till you ask for it. And you
may be thankful if you get it then. And he
swung on his ridiculous scufed schoolgirl heels and
shot away
Bully for Langdon!" remarked Father, inelegant-
ly: Hell never yield an inch. either. Charlotte
VIII have to ask for 'Curfew, and ask mighty pref
ty, at that"
And she never will ask. She does not really care.
either"
HIN. Yet she has fretted and moped till nobody
but tranquil Lucy Ann get long with her. Lucy
Ann always was the most comfortable child! Now.
Melvna says Lucy Ann needs sea air. And Char
lote has longed for Italy, since she studied
Renaissance Art And Melvina says she will take
the two girls to Italy for the spring"
(Melvina used to be Grandmothers housekeeper;
then Mothers maid; then nurse for all us children;
md nowadays she's Grand Lama to all our family.
And you'd better believe she's brought up to look
sharp! Even big majestic Father steps lively I'M
der Mevinas steelgray eyes,
Well the night before sail, the whole house
hold began that Plftng-LucyAnn stunt again. No
wonder thought was Public Benelacor
Well started Off next morning. feeling noble
and so sanctited, so loaded down with my own
tact and trustworthlness that it's wonder didn't
fall off the gangway, going aboard. First. l was
helpful and considerable to Charlotte. But Char
lotte didn't appreciate my gentle ministries. When
ia offer to go to her musty old galleries with her.
instead of looking touched and pleased, she'd heaye
weary sigh, clutch Baedeker, and hunt collec-
lion suited to my stainless youthful mind.
Discouraged. switched my helpful passions to
Mevina, but Melvina wasn't grateful and | found
myself denied any object for my pent-up devotions.
AS ! sat wondering where to turn that golden
food, remembered Mothers last letter. She'd re-
marked that she had just become president of the
Orphans Homo Board. With that thought cGmo
my uckless inspiration WY not VISIT t an na tai
1t was hard to make Pasquale, our guide under
stand whero wanted to so, for his English and my
Italian are both rather skotchy. But finally he
grasped my orders. After long, twisty trip, we
climbed out of the gondola, and scrambled up a
weird hippety,hop street, TO the Asylum.
That Asylum was simply disgraceful. No crisp
bingham nurses, no brass cribs, no frily curtains
Just an old yellow marble pcrgola. And one tooth.
less old woman for Superintendent, and Board OF
Managers and nurses, all at once! But the babies!
Nine Of them. the daringest, velveteyed dumpngs.
like lovely puppies! | poured all my small silver
into the nurses lap, and told her it was for the
Asylum which sent her into spasms of gratitude.
Then sat down. and played with the babies till
dinner time. Oh, they were dear Garlic and
strings Of orange beads, and petticoats made of old
damask chair seats and all
At last, Pasquae said must go. And what a
howl those angels did set up! Especially the three
cunningest ones, godenheaded girl, Addolorata
and the podgy twoy ear-od twins, her brothers They
were the prettiest OF all and how they did cling to
me- and how they did roar. I looked down tenderly
at those lovely heartbroken cherubs then up swept
my noble generous emotions, and fairly swamped
what little sense had left
Are they real orphans? Are all their relatives
dead? Father? Mother? Grandrnotner? l asked in
my best Bertz.
Now do wish that nations like italy. which use
pantomime all the time, would establish an o1lcla
gesture code, instead of wigwagging at random
The other day when Pasquale showed us the Doge
d I.apponis tomb he made three large. 1owint
gestures to indicate that di Lapponi reposed here
that he was dead. and that he had been dead FOL
some time . .
Now, when that old nurse made the same identi
cal fourishes, how could / know that the cherubs
father was working on the railroad embankment
that their mother washing windows at I'M
Hotel Britannia, and that their grandmother was
stirring eel-broth stew?
did some lightning figuring. My months allow
ance had that morning; then there was I'M
four WOrShDing