The mirror., 1923-07-05
THE FIGURE IN BRONZE
By Mr.. H. W..
PART v


sumed her calls; this time going among
the medium-working class.
Mrs. Phillips had only just finished her
mornings task of sweeping and dusting
her small but cozy bungalow home. There
were four of this type of dwellings sit
uated in row, and all of them exactly
alike with the exception of color, which
would enable even a stranger to identify
a particular family abode at a glance.
The neighborhood itself, was just an
one as can be seen in many sections of
large city, wherein the families of the
medium salaried working class are found.
Most of these people either owned their
homes or had occupied their rented dwell
lings for year or more; and, as is usual
in such neighborhoods, everyone knew, or
thought they knew, all of the other fam
lilies within their block. 1t had indeed,
become a custom for one or more of the
neighbor ladies to "run over" to another's
house, sip coffee, and discuss their little
Mrs. Phillips was at this hour expecting
a call from Justice True; the latter hav-
ing interested her in social work to the
extent of promising to contribute small
bundle of used clothing and shoes for the
benefit of persons less fortunate than her
self. Mrs. Mix, the next door neighbor,
had been appraised of Miss True's ex-
pected call, and had been invited to "run
over" have coffee, and meet the missionary
nurse. Sitting near a window facing the
Mix home, Mrs. Phillips discerned the
white muslin curtains of the others din
ing-room window to part just wee bit
now and then. 1t was evident that Mrs.
Mix was keeping close tab upon the ar
rival of Miss True.
Presently the doorbell rang, and Justice
was ushered into the dining-room, where
the fragrant odor of hot coffee testified to
the visitors welcome. Between sips of
coffee, and bites of cake, Mrs. Phillips
and Justice discussed the various articles
assembled in the missionary bundle, and
were so engaged when Mrs. Mix made
her appearance, was introduced, and
joined the others at coffee.
The newcomer was genial and jolly,
and, after surveying the cake upon the
table, remarked gayly, II tried that sam
pie Of "Sure Hit" baking-powder that
was passed around yesterday. Made
little batch of quick biscuits this morn
ing, and oh, they looked just fne!"
Mrs. Phillips raised her eyes and
nodded her interest, and after giving her
listeners humorous glance, Mrs. Mix
resumed, "Tom tried one first; that is,
he took a biscuit, prodded it with his
thumb, and then bit into it. Wish you
could have seen the expression upon his
face! "Great snakes, Mary" he yelled.
"Where did you say you got that Jim
Crow baking-powdera" Turning, he
flung the biscuit out off the window and
it hit the target that the kids have painted
upon the woodshed door. "There you
are!" he said. That "Sure Hit" baking
powder is the real thing alright-Hit the
bull's-eye first smack-mean't for target
practice, not for breakfast Let's have
some of your old fashioned Cream of Tar
tar and soda biscuits Mary, and I'll try
these others at the target after breakfast"
All joined her in a hearty laugh; then
a quick step was heard upon the back
porch, someone raped loudly, and a
woman's voice called, "Hello Mrs. Phil
lips! Are you in?"
"Come in Mrs. Brickcaster; we are just
having Coffee" answered Mrs. Phillips.
Mrs. Brickcaster, having been duly pre-
sented to Miss True, began, ooh Dear
I'm so agitated this morning! My little
boy, Freddie, saw the most unbelievable
thing at breakfast time; and what do
you think ?-why, Mr.. Meek, that little