Shoshone journal., 1923-07-06
LITTLE MISS
BY MOLLIE MATHER

house In the restful cool gren GROUND
looked most refreshing. He was ju.
considering asking for glass of mill
as an excuse TO linger In the gratefu
Z shade when a crude but artistic sig
I on tree trunk nearby attracted hi
attention. Tea" read the sign. "an
: cookies and sandwiches for sale"
Amsden lost no time In running hi.
car to the grass at the side of tn,
road and entering the old garden.
Another pretentious old family In
reduced circumstances" Amsdeu
thought. He lifted the enameIed
knocker OF blue forgetmenots and
waited. He was surprised to see =
colored man, bent and aged, open the
door In response to his summons.
The colored servant wore an an
cient livery and he held up his finger
warningly, but with an apologetic
smile.
Little Miss said the old man, "is
playing In the balcony. We always
listen when Little Miss plays soft hke
that-seems as heaven must be pretty
close then"
The music Of piano came from
above; glancing up Amsden saw on
the wide stair a small woman before
the instrument. An old minuet she
played In keeping with her surround
ings. Then 1t came to the business
man that all this setting might be an
advertisement for an unusual tea
room. "Very pretty" he remarked to |
the man In livery, "and may / have
light luncheonY
Again the pathos Of the minuet
caught him and he saw as he looked
back into the hall, other listening
figures huddled-an old woman, her
white locks framing a black wrinkled
face-another old woman white of
lace and wrinkled, too. AS the music
on the landing ceased they moved
away, and the young woman who
played turned on her stool and saw
Amsden framed in the doorway. At
'nce she came toward him.
"The ge'man, Miss Dollle," the old
nan said, wanted some luncheon.
shall bring 1t on tray to the arbor.
r Will you serve In the big dining
oom?"
"The arbor, don't you think" said
he person addressed as Miss DoIlie, 8
sounds inviting on so warm day?" I
Most inviting" Amsden promptly G
greed. 1T was happy discovery to 8
nd your hospitable home" n
"A happy discovery" the young a
oman smilingly replied, as she led the Is
ay to the. arbor, "of mine when I r.
ought of serving lunches to hungry b,
avelers. Old. mansions must be til
rned to some use In order to support al
emselves." gs
And you manage to keep I'D the te
ace In this mannerT he asked con- wi
as his hostess arranged 1t
e table.
She shrugged her shoulders ruefully.
we manage after a fashion," she co
nf1ded, helped out with my painted ",
lcheon cards and favors. Presently ha
VIII bring some for your inspection. a
II you may, perhaps, recommend ers
I'M to your friends In the city. We -.
, so isolated here. l find my models ma
this glory-garden." fa,
You will pardon me-" Amsden said be
1t | cannot get over the sensation me
having gone back a century to the
or hellotrope and pilared old n.
nes of 'quality'--to music that is q
sic. and to hospitality that is enioy-
T."
That" replied Miss Dollie "comes -
D the atmosphere. l never QUITE a.
ish the feeling myself. This great - :,
'e OF my fathers, long gone was tha
ed to me by my grandfather while 90,
as busy In city office. When I -
e out to look the place over-will al.
believe-my greatest problem was nIor
servants. Poor old Uncle Jim. who 80
never known any other home MO-,
Id have to go to an old folks home ~,
lille all his heart is here. And
" Jasmine, who nursed nv own =.
a har 80 1, Oo'"e they ter
a.. 'ii'i' tne mousse alwa
ca--ou hon,o,ass 'u'" iai'nIui In q
49,, -. ~ oe sent TO size
ge places when they love every
II In the garden. But grandfather
no money with his estate. Long -,
he disinherited my mother be- ~. ,
her marriage did not please him '"e
ow. here | was. with Uncle Jim po'
Aunty Jasmine. and rheumatic .na'
Prim. and the estate OF my an. su .s,s'
rs Amin
ID SO we got together-IoIned
and opened our tea room"
ID gave up satisfactory position low;
city" Amsden asked amazed
'e IN solitude with old seryantsY' =
m" the young woman said slow. me
Miss Doliie' 10 them-thelr loved s'"pp'
Dole come back. And am han s''"~''
most little lonely AZ fines eepsf''
en- may one not be lonely also 10 =, s''oD ~
hniq Amsdep grayely. have Al. s~''''' 80
been lonely" n came to him '-1p !"
A had never FfaIl14I fI.+ 80, F'""N'