Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-07-29

ciliation. II think Mr.. Chalmers meant
that perhaps one of you'-he glanced
woman at his -"might--er--accom.
He turned his eyes full upon Miss Flora
Blaisdell, and waited.
Me? Oh. mercy. no! Why, I live
all alone---that is, mean, l couldn't.
you Know, she stammered confusedly.
= dressmake. and l don't get any sort
Just women's things-tea, toast, and riz
biscuit. I'm so fond. of riz biscuit
But, Of course, you--'' She came to
an expressive pause
"Oh. ! could stand the biscuit. so long
Mr. ssy5s s .sny nGt health escg vs bsea
living on those and hot water quite long
enough as 1t is"
oh, amt your health good. sir.?"
The little dressmaker's face wore the
Well, it's better than 1t was, thank
boarder. all right"
why don't you go to hotel?" Mrs.
James D. Blaisdell still spoke with a
slightly injured air.
Mr.. Smith lifted a deprecatory hand.
for my purpose" he murmured. II
wish to be very quiet fear I should
find 1t quite dlsturbing-the noise and
confusion Of a public place like, that.
nently fitting, as well as remarkably
convenient. If could make my home
with one of the Blaisdell family"
With a sudden exclamation the little
Say, Harriet how funny we never
thought He's just the one for poor
Maggie! Why not send him tnere7"'
Poor Maggie" 1t was the mild
"Our sister-yes. She lives"
Your sister,. Into Mr.: Smiths face
had come a look of startled surprise
look almost of terror. But there
there We're We're but S''' three s Biaisdells. % TIVE, two
brothers, and one sster--you, yourself
"Oh. poor Maggie amt a. Blaisdell."
explained the little dressmaker. with a
lDuff's daughter by his first wife. you
know. He married our mother years
ago. when we children were little, SO we
were brought up with Maggie and al.
us at all"
course !" Mr.; Smith seemed oddly
something in his mind. "she isn't a
Blaisdell. then"
mo, but she's so near like one. and
she's splendid cook. and"
Wel sh,ns send III, him ,ratf, tH ,ss Masgie
enough on her hands, as it is, with that
father Of hers. Besides. she isn't d
Blaisdell at ALL"
And she couldn't come and cook and
ad care OF US r. SO much
took this man ter feed?"
"That will do. Benny" admonished
his mother, with nettled dignity. You
for forget ls!, that children should be seen and
to-. "Yes'm; But; please. : can't ! be h heard
send the man ter Uncle Frank an Aunt
Jane? Maybe they'd take him"
The very thing" cried Miss Flora
"Yes. I was thinking of them" nodded
her ,sister-in-law; And they're always
Ead Of ltsle ssod hep6espeShsly ane
James Blaisdell quietly.
Only the heightened color in his wife's
cheeks showed that she had heard-and
Here, Benny" she directed. "go and
show the gentleman where Uncle Franl
"All right :" With spring the bo,
dancag n sere ssa on his to
I'll show Xe, Mr.. Smith"
| The gentleman addressed rose to his
feet
help me, if you will in my work.
shall want to ask-some questions"
Certainly. sir. certainly! We shal
be glad to see you," promised his host
Come any time. and ask all the ques
| tionS you want to-"
And we shall be so interested" fut
tered Miss Flora. 'Ive always wanted
% know about fathers folks. And
There was the briefest of pauses. Mr.
Smith coughed again twice behind hi!
hand.
am. Through my mother am de
scended from the original immigrant
Ebenezer Blaisdell"
Immigrant exclaimed Miss Flora.
AN immigrant" Mrs. James .Blais
were a pair Of tongs that had picket
up noXious viper. :
Yes, but not exactly as we com
monty regard the term nowadays,
ton. He was the founder of the fam
ily IN this country. He came over ii
my. how interesting :" murmured tn
scended the steps.
Good d-night-good-night! And than
you again." bowed Mr.. John Smith t
the assembled group on the veranda
And now, young man. I'm at your serv
ice," he smiled, as he joined Benny
still prancing on the sidewalk.
"Now he's what l call a real mic
pleasant-spoken gentleman" avowe
Miss Flora. when she thought speec
was safe. II do hope Jane'll take him.
"Oh, yes, he's well enough" conde
scended Mrs. Hattie Blaisdell, with
yawn. .
Hattie. why wouldn't you take hir
in?" reproached her husband. Just thin
how the pay would help! And
wouldn't be a bit Of work. hardly. TO
you. Certainly it would be a lot easie
than the way we are doing"
The woman frowned impatiently.
Jim, don't, please! Do you suppos
got over here on the West Side t
open clearinghouse? I guess not
yeti"
But what shall we do?"
worry"
Perhaps II you'd worry a little NOR,
I wouldn't worry SO much" sighed tn
man deeply.
.sVVan n,ercv ,,,a ,,,ust ha 0o;p0