Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1920-02-12
Betsy's Story
BY LINCOLN ROTHBLUM
1919, by the Mcclure News
paper Syndicate)


Copyright, 1919, by the Mcclure News
paper Syndicate)
1t was such a small hall bedroom
way up near the top of the house
so high above the ground il seemed
suspended midway between heaven
ana earth somewhat after The fashion
Of those hanging gardens which are
said to have required neither under
aor upper support. But though the
room by its elevated location strove
for place In the sun, It received
none of its rays at any time of
the day, for the enc window faced.
N unceremoniOuS fashion, against the
bleak and bland stone wall of the
building opposite. Now. if one were
As dexterous as Betsy Bond II very
good glimpse, albeit limited, could be
obtained not only OF the sun casting
seemingly forgotten beam of light
down the murky courtway. but also of
he window in the other building one
foor below. II is true the bit of light
was only enjoyed on Sundays when
Betsy's exacting and onerous duties
rs Salesgirl at the notions counter of
Tilden's Inc. did not call for her ex-
pert services for the somewhat start
ling compensation of seven dollars the
week startling how little might be
procured on that amount in the way
Of daily necessities And il is also
true the window of the room across
the court afforded little distraction
for up TO the writing of this Betsys
story-it had remained untenanted.
For Betsy's heart, starving for af-
lection and dying because there was
none on whom to lavish the love pent
up within, hungered for romance; $le
looked for 1t everywhere, and found
page" of the evening paper. 1t was
very unsatisfactory substitute.
The days of August had made
blistering advance, and ii seemed TO
Betsy this day that summer was ex-
erting every effort to leave q scar and
scorching memory of its torrid pres
ence. A hot, musty humidity pasted
the ringletS about her perSpiring fore
head into fantastic forms as she en-
tered the room breathless from the
interminable climb of stairs. Up
went the window, the courtyard send
ing forth its nightly quota of onion
and other odOrs from the quarters
below. Betsy had no taste for the ar
ticles of food on her table and list
lesSly adjusted herself in the oblique
and uncomfortable position necessary
to see the window In the building OPP
posite. She leaned forward. Glar-
ingly 1t stood forth. and not even the
dirty panes concealed the yellow jet
of gaslight which Illuminated the room
aud its solitary occupant. Betsy
laughed aloud.
"a neighbor," she unused, and
reached for the pillow from the bed TO
make her cramped position comfort
able Romance her thought con.
tinued, and smile exposed two pref
ty rows of even white teeth II was
in spite of, and not because of, her
clothes that Betsy was considered at
tractiye; for the worn serge skirt
loudly acclaimed its age by a lustrous
sheen and the white lawn waist no
longer admitted further mending.
But there was little in the mans oc-
cupation to excite undue curiosity or
romantic conjecturcs laboriously he
wrote stopping to press his temples
with his fingertips or pass a hand
kerchef over his forehead Betsy
slipped from the sill to the floor and
protruded her head through the win
dow into the court until she could
almost touch the opposite wall, for up
through space came the voice of the
man family singing:
"When your Ship o. Dreams comes in,
dear,
When its cargo comes to shore,
With gold so fine, IT will all be thine,
You alone | adore"
and then abruptly stopped Betsy
climbed back onto the window ledge
and leaning far forward, peered down
into the room. a gasp Of consterna-
ton escaped her lips as she jumped
to the floor and tore down the steps
the ascent of which had so taxed her
strength. out into the street she ran
and up TO ehe door of the next build
ing
Mrs Slattery appeared in answer
to the imperative summons Of the bell,
and irritated because supper was in
terrupted, eyed with a landlady's Sus-
piciOn the Undated and disheyeled
Betsy. She did not make likely
looking roomer
81 guess all the rooms be filled"
was the curt and unsolicited infor-
nation Betsy inserted her foot be-
tween door and panel to prevent It
being shut IN her face.
81 am not looking for a room, but,
but" she stammered as the unusual
ness Of the situation presented itself.
zone of your tenants seems in trou-
Bile" Betsy gulped hard, "and ! be-
lleve he has tainted. I've can
help
Mrs. Slattery made unsympathetic
interruption. "Oh, It be that singing
man. Never pays his rent and he do
seem to live on air. He'll come