Plattsmouth weekly herald. (Plattsmouth, Nebraska) 1882-1892, January 14, 1892, Image 7

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THIS OFFICE IS PREPARED TO DO ONLY FIUST-CLASS
WORK, AND DOES IT FOIi REASONABLE PRICES.
IF TOU ARE IN NEED OF
LETTER HEADS
- - BILL HEADS,
STATEMENTS ;
- . - - - - .- ENVELOPES ....
. SALE BILLS - .
POSTERS
or in lact anything hi the
STATIONARY LINE-
CALL AT THE
OFFICE,
WE CAN SUIT YOU, AS WE
QqqiHtce Satisfaction.
IF you wish to succeed in your business, advertise it and let
the public know your prices. People like to trade with tho mer
ehant who offers thenvthe best inducements. It might help your
trade wonderfully. Try it.
As the most important Campaign for
years is Coming upon us every Farmer should
be provided with a good live newspaper that
will keep them posted on all important ques
tions of the day. THE HERALD is purely a
Republican paper and would be glad to put
your name on our list. Only $1.50 a year.
'See our Clubbing list with the leading pa
pers published.
'ITOMif) FUBLilSipQ CO,
BOl Cor Fifth and Vine St.
PLATTSMOUTH - NEBRASKA
F Q Ffficip 02
WILL KEEP CONSTANTLY ON HANI)
A Full and Complete lino of
DmgSj Medicines, Paints, and Oils.
DRUGGISTS SUNDRIES AND PURE LIQUORS
"Prescriptions Carefully Compounded at all Hours.
Everything to Furnish Your House.
AT
I. PEARLMAN'S
-GREAT
.HOUSE FURNISHING EMPORIUM.
Having mirchaqcd the J. V.
Main street where lam now
cr than the cheapest having
of new goods ever brought
and furniture of all kinds sold on the installment plan,
I. FEAREMAN.
THE POSITIVE CURE.
mmJ ELY BHOTI3E1W. M Wtmn StNnr York. RrioeWcti
READ!
MODERN -
"Weekbach store room on south
located ' can sell goods cheap
just put in the largest stock
to the city. Gasoline stoves
Ell
WAVF.KLAXl).
BY SARAH MARLS BRIGIIAM
IV, r.o(f, t?i f Annte.
I li.ul nut enough ambition to care to tlx
up the old place, but would mum nlxmt in
an absent, thoughtless way with my dogs
and companions, or ut Annie's side, as of
old. I wus just as exacting with her now
as then, mid sho was just as puliunt with
my fretful moods as when she wus a child.
(iraduully the old house took a different
loo!;. The old hall door swung om-n Willi-
nit the uid of two or three servants. The
windows too could let in the sunlight, for
shining panes of glass had taken the place
of boards and rags. One evening coining
home I found the drawing-room door open.
I entered, and what a sensation of pleasure
came over me! The old moth-eaten furni
ture hud been cleaned and brightened, the
tapestry had been through the same ordeal
and was newly arranged. The old neg
lected piano was open and on the rack
were several sheets of music. The room
hml such a cosy, homelike nppearance that
I bounded away to call my mother, that
she might enjoy it with me. Taking her
in my arms I curried her down Btairs and
placed her in one of the easy chairs, then I
went back to the door to take a survey.
While I stood there silently enjoying the
scene, Miss Kverett stepped from the win
dow seat, where sho hud been concealed
by the drapery, saying:
"Well, Sir Iioyd, how do you like it?"
"It is tine! We owe you a thousand
thanks for th' pleasant surprise," I said,
going toward her, but the turned away,
Buying: . . .
"I only let the sunshine in," and left the
room.
"What a strange girl she la," I said.
"Her uctive brain has planned and her
busy hands have guided all this work."
"Yes, she is a strange girl," said my
mother. "She has given me new life since
ehe came, bringing in the suiihhine, as she
says; not only into our rooms but into our
hearts as well."
"O, mamma, how came you down
stairs?" asked Myrtle, as she came dune
ing into the room. "How nice it is! O,
uiumiua, stay here ulways!"
It did seem like homo. A 'bright room
and my mother's gentle presence! Then
began a happy home life. The evenings
were passed with music and pleasant con
versation, and the dreary old house was
full of joy and sunshine. Due evening not
long a.'ter, as I entered my mother's room,
She said:
"What da you think, my son, Miss Ever
ett has asked peMnisston to control the
iioiisehoM?"
"I think she can Jo it, mother, judging
from what she has done. You gave her
Demission, I'm sura"
" Yes, but I told her she would soon tire
'it it; that Lord Wavcrland's servants
were hard to manage. She only laughed
at my fears, saying it was like a difficult
problem that she was very much Interested
in. I lielieve she is interests, for Myrtle
Is learning many useful things liesldos her
studies. She is delighted with Miss Kver
ett," When I left my motlrpr I went to the
drawing-room. It was still early, and the
summer sun made the room a pleasant one.
As I went toward one of the window seats,
I saw Miss Everett seated in it busy sew
ing. It annoyed me, and in a tone of vex
ulion I said.
"What right have you to Bit working
away all the time, never taking any rest V
She raised her clear brown eyes to mine
for a moment, as though asking what I
Uleaut, then said:
"It is a case of necessity, Sir Loyd, as I
find your sister's wardrobe in great disor
der."' "Well," I said, "you have no right to do
thnt," pointing to the work that luy in her
lap.
She only shrugged her fhoulders and
went on with the sewing. It made me
more, vexed to bo defied in this manner by
11 slight girl; and I commenced pacing the
floor, saying:
"We are a disgrace to our name, a dis
grace to mankind! No one ever comes
here without being imposed upon. Here
you must be compelled to be seamstress
for your pupil, Hut what a fool I ami
Wh :t do you know about it?"
The quick, keen glance she gave me as I
turned to leave the room said us plainly as
words could say that she did know and
cure. Her active life was a constant re
buke to my idle one. I had never felt tho
need of a purpose in life, and had followed
a listless, thoughtless existence until her
coming hod stirred a new impulse; but as
yet I was not willing to follow it.
One morning I was passing through the
kitchen, when to my surprise and astonish
ment I saw MLss Everett with a big white
apron on and a bunch of keys at her side,
giv'ng directions to the servants for din
ner. I was vexed.
"N.'lss Everett," I said in no pleasant
tone. "I thought that was the duty of the
housekeeper!"
Making me a comic bow, she said, "I am
the only housekeeper this establishment
has at preseut."
"Why, where is Mrs. Ingram?" I asked,
amazed. "She has been our housekeeper
ever since I can remember, and 1 thought
she was a fixture."
"She left a few days ago," said Miss
Everett, coolly.
"I'ft" I said, "why, she has not been
paid for years."
"Reg pardon, Sir Loyd, sho has been
paid. I paid her myself," wild she archly.
"Well, Miss Everett, how soon are yon
going to take charge of the estate? That
needs attentlou next," I said, in. an impa
tient tone.
Sho made mo no answer for a few mo
ments, but stood tapping the floor with her
little foot in a nervous fashion; then, turn
ing toward me with a thoughtful exprea
(ion. she said:
"Sir Loyd, If I were yon I would not let
my inheritance go to waste!"
Confused and humilated I left the room.
My inheritance! I had never thought of It
as mine. Uut sometime, no doubt, it
would belong to nie. I sought the library;
there 1 began to think, yes, actually think!
Here I was, a yonng man, strong of limb
and sound in mind, but thinking and
working were things new in my life. I
saw something for me to da Here was a
vast estate, with tenants good and bad.
Men, womeu and children living in want
and degradation, that I might help to a
more prosperous existence. .
I went out over the estate and fonnd
trouble and difllculties at every step. The
tenants were in rebellion at the high reuta,
and the most bitter complaints were mode..
Want and filth greeted me everywhere.
Could It be that I was to blame for the ter
rible misery I saw? Clearly, some one was
greatly to blame; for here were men, wo
men and childreu living in hovels so small
and filthy that I would blush to put my
horses into them. Here were large fumiliei
living and paying exorbitant rents foi
those old hovels and a few nc-s of land,
while the constant fear tUiit they would bo
turned out kept them In anxiety.
All the time I was listening to tho clear
ringing words, "If I were you I would uot
let my inheritance go to wast!"
Hut what could I do? I went home dis
couraged, though not without a purpose.
1 had been aroused at last. I had some
thing to do In life. The dream of my child
hood I would try to realize. Emm that
day to this, I have tried to work for the
good of tho Hior, despised, down-trodden
people that we call tenants.
CHAPTER IV. THE IJKAUTI.KSS lANDLORD.
Going home one evening after a weari
some day, I found the house in unusual
commotion. The servants were running
here and there, and things were in disor
der generally. On the stairs I met Miss
Everett. Her cheeks were red, and her
eyes had a new lire in them.
"What is it?"
"Lord Waverland has come," she an
swered in a bourse whisper, passing on.
"Then you have seen him," I said, as
she passed.
Her looks betrayed feelings of deep In
dignation, as she said:
"Yes, he is in the drawing-room."
Miss Stella Everett had seen my father,
and from her manner, I knew that he hail
aid something to offend her. He could say
or do most anything. I went to the drawing-room.
There, seated In an easy chair
before the Are (It was a dump, cold day in
Septemlier), surrounded by his dogs, sat
my father. His fine, manly form seemed
as erect as ever, and bis dark, curly hair
had few threads of grey. As I opened the
door he turned his face toward me. It
A$ I opened the door he tunird hU faee
toward me-.
showed evidences of dissipation.
"This seems like home, but the little
minx that rules here has plenty of lire in
her small body," he remarked, without
changing his position to greet me in any
way.
"She has courage to defend hersolf, at
least," I replied, not very politely.
"Ah! Ahl so it is my lady's governess,
instead of Annie Wren? 1 thought she
was the chosen one," said he In derision.
The dinner bell sounded. Lord Waver
land left the drawing-room to meet the
friends he had brought with him. When
they were seated at dinner Lord Waver
land said.
"It seems the fairy genie of the place has
been in the kitchen, too, for here we have
a well cooked meal decently served."
There was now a merry party at Waver
land. The ladies remained In their rooms
when Lord Waverland and his guests were
at home; for they were a wild, reckless
class and became very noisy under the in
fluence of their evening potations. How
my heart rebelled aguinst this! There
could be no pleasant hours in the drawing
mom now enlivened with music, as hud
Wen our habit. Miss Everett was quite a
musician and Anniu and I would join her
in singing, while my mother and Sir Wren
enjoyed a quiet game of whist. Itut now
this rude, boisterous crowd of counts and
braggarts that composed Lord Waver
luid's party had taken possession of the
house. The sheriff, with his baud of armed
foldiers, was in constant demand, evicting
tenants who would not or could not pay
the rent. That baud of rough, roy uteri ng
fellows made themselves very familiar
about the place.
Many of the tenants could not pay, and
some of them were afraid of Incurring the
displeasure of the Lund-Ix'uguo and dure
not pay the rack-rent demanded by Lord
Waverland. He would not lower his rents
so when the warrant wus read it was a
severe struggle of eviction. Men were sent
out without work, or any means of saving
their families from sturvut ion.
During tho month that Iird Waverland
was at home, as I Bfterward learned, more
than two hundred families were mode
homeless. Some tenants were more afraid
of eviction than of the Ijind Ix-ngue and
paid no rent. One tenant, Patrick O'Neil,
who had a largo holding on my father's
estate, paid his rent. A few days after 1
saw him and ho had a handkerchief tied
altout his head.
"What is the matter, Pat?" I asked.
"Och, and it's a bad cold I have."
"i hut will never do, Tat. Let me see
yonr ears!"
After some demurring I persuaded him
to take off the kerchief, when, as I had
been told, ho had lost both his ears.
"How did it happen, Tat?" I asked, sor
ry for the poor tnuri.
"Yez see, tho rulo is, if one pays the rint
that is too high, some one is shore to foiud
It oat; and then ye's have to pay the pin-
alty. Hut what is a uion to do? He will
be turned out if he does uot pay and he
will lose his ears if he do. I thought I
hod rather keep my home and lose my
ears."
"It's a bud state of affairs when a man
must choose between the two," 1 sain,
feeling very much grieved for the poor
tenant.
"Dut," said Put, "the worst was when
our baby, that was slek at the time, died. I
Not one of our friends, not even my father
and mother, durst come to see us. liut for
the swute liuly at the house, no one would
have come to wash and dress our dear
dead baby."
"Who dhl you say came?" I asked, for 1
could not think of any one at Waverland
that would care tor the poor tenant's sor
row.
"Why, the young lady in black."
"Miss Everett?" I asked in astonish
ment. "Yes, she always knows when any of us
are in trouble, aud comes to help us if she
can."
Did no one come to help bury your
child?"
"No one but the priest. They dursent"
"These things are hard to bear," I said,
soliloquizing to myself.
"lei may well say so, sorr. I could
stand my own part of It Hut one is not
alone," said Pal, tears rolling down his
rough face. "There's me wife and child
en that are dearer to mo than my own
life, i cannot sorr, bear the thought of
seeing thim starving and freezing by the
roadside. I have given up my ears to save
thliii. Do you blame me, sorrF"
"No, Pat," 1 suid taking his hand in
mine. "You are a noble man to sacrifice
so much for your family. May you receive
a Just reward."
Not long after my visit with Pat, Itrd
Wnverland gave a grand reception. The
suite of rooms opening Into each other
were brilliantly lighted. My mother, as
sisted by Miss Kverett, came into the
ilruwlng-room to receive tho guests. My
mother hud on a blink velvet dress trim
med with rich old luce, and wore the fami
ly diamonds. Miss Everett, ntoo, was
dressed in black, but her only ornaments
were a few flower. The guests were re
ceived and passed on to tho hall.
When Iird Waverland entered the
room with two or three of his companions,
he stood and gii.ed at my mother and Miss
Everett a moment, then said.
"Mon Dieu! whom have we here?" mak
ing a mocking bow to them. My mother
did not quail beneath his scornful look,
but remained calm. His scoru changed to
admiration.
"Why Lady Waverland, on are indeed
a beauty! Where did yon get your fine toi
let?" he asked, as he stood carelessly lean
ing against the broad mantel, looking at
my mother and Miss Everett with bold ad
miring eyes.
"From my wardrobe, sir," said my
motner, inspired with some of the Inde
pendence of Miss Everett's courage.
"Where is the Infant?" asked I..ord Wa
verland, as he went to my mother's side.
"I see her governess Is here!"
"I came to assist Lady Waverland, sir,"
said Miss Everett, as she took a step nearer
to my mother's side.
Lord Waverland turned and walked
away, bnt it was evident that he had been
defeuted in something which he had in
tended. As he turned away I followed.
He passed to tho club room with his
friends. As they entered the door the
count said:
"She is a rare beauty when roused."
"Yes, and she has given my lady some of
her overbearing nature. Hut I'll bring her
to time yet. See if 1 don't! This being
cowed in my own house by a woman is
more than I will stand."
Hut those wild, reckless fellows were
fjulet and well behaved throughout tho
evening. The old hall so long unused was
bright with light and fragrant as the sum
mer air with flowers and verdure. The as
sembled guests were in a cheerful mood.
The stringed instruments sent forth their
sweet melodious strains that wuke the im
pulses to new life. With hurrying feet
that longed to echo back the melody of
music, youths and maidens sought their
places, swaying to and fro in the glad
ecstucy of Joy and tenderness.
Sir Wren, with a bvautifnl lady on his
arm, formed part of the brilliant throng.
When the dunce endod he came to whore I
stood with Annie by my side.
"My niece, Lady Irving," said Sir Wren
as he presented the lady.
"I wUl leave her to your care," he said,
politely, and walked away. Johnny
O'ltork, a young man from a neighboring
estate, came to claim his promised dance
with Annie. Lady Irving begged to rest
awhile; so we returned to the drawing-
room to loin mv mother and Miss Everett.
After a little eencral conversation I
asked Lady Irving to play for us.
She seated herself at the piano and gave
as some grand music While she was
playing I watched Miss Everett's expres
sive face. The love of music was a passion
with her. and when, as now, she heurd
good music, it seemed to thrill her very
soul. Soon l.ndy Irving was claimed as
partner, and was led back to the halL
went to Miss Everett, who refused all
partners and hod remained by my moth
er's side during the evening. Hut seeing
her deep emotion I suid.
"You seem charmed with music."
"Ye, Sir Iioyd, if I could always hear
such sweet strains of music I could banish
evil thoughts and be couteut.
"Why, are you ever troubled with un
pleasant thoughts?" I asked, "iou al
ways seem so happy!"
"Yes. sir. I have temptations hard to
overcome. I have often thonght that peo
ple were like books. Some charm, others
vex and annoy. I think Lady Irving
would always charm me," she said, look
ing toward the hall where youth and beau
ty were making a most attractive scene,
"Will you dunce with me?" I asked, of
fering her my arm.
"I have never danced anything but the
simple country dances," she said, placing
her hand upon my arm. As we were pass
ing through the crowd I heurd some one
say
"There she Is nowl Fine airs sho puts
on for a governess! I wonder if she thinks
she can associate with goutlufolks because
her mistress is kind to her!" I looked at
my companion's face. The glad light had
faded from her eye; her lips trembled with
a childish quiver. So self reliant aud firm,
I thought, yet so keenly sensitive. We
turned to the conservatory, which was
bright with light and llowers.
"You remain here, Miss Everett," I
said, "while I seek some refreshment for
us." As I left the conservatory I met La
dy Irving, oml led her to Miss Everett. I
left them visiting like old acquaintances.
They talked of Dickens, Thackeray and
Scott. They seemed familiar with the
whole world of authors, and were ut home
in each other's presence. When I returned
with ices and cake they were laughing uud
chatting like old acquaintances.
Far away in the night, when the dawn
began to break, the house was left alone.
When the lust guest hud departed, I found
Miss Everett, and suid. .
"How did you like your now book?"
"O, you mean Lady Irviug! She is de-
ltghtful! 1 wish she could always be my
friend She is a widow, and expects to
spend a few years traveling," said Miss
Kverett with a suppressed sigh.
"Why that weary sigh?" I asked.
"I was thinking how nice it would be to
be like I-ady Irving," she said, looking
down aud making a little Impatient move
ment with her foot.
"And travel?" she said. "I long to sea
aomething of the great world that I have
read and heard so much about. Sometimes
I long for wings to fly away from this
weary plodding life. Nay, I am sick at
heart to-night, and will not vex you with
my discontent."
"You sad? Our sunlight hid behind a
cloud?" I said, stepping toward her, and
would have taken her hand, but she
turned away, bidding me good-night
What was there In her clear brown eyes
and low, sweet voice that had such a
charm for me? This question was often In
my thoughts.
CHAPTER V. MT NEW RESrOMSIDILtTIKS.
One evening not long after the recep
tion, when lord Waverland and his
friends were enjoying a gamo of billiards.
a shout, wiM and terrlUc, rang out upon
the air. It filled the house wit h a strange,
weird sound. From every room the In
mates In their alarm hastened to the hull.'
It was bright from the light made by the
burning stables. All round the house and
yard a throng of people crowding and
shouting in grent excitement, were culling
loudly for ImtA Waverland.
Tho party left the billiard hall and Lord
Waverland sat cowered down In a corner
of the room, trembling with fear. Ills face
Was haggard with a terrible dread. HU
ionscleiii'6 told him, but too truly, what
this midnight visit meant. Hoarse voices
thundered up from below, "Bring him out,
or we'll burn him out!"
Every fare lu the room was white witfi
terror. What could be done? 1 went to
the window and threw open the sash; as I
did so a bull came whizzing and lodged in
the window casing. I dodged, but there
was no time to quail. The men below.
were carrying large torches or blazing
fagots.
"What will you do If Ixrd Waverland
answers your call?" I asked.
"Make him promise to reduce our renta
and relieve our wants, or we'll show him
big blaze!" replied a voice from the
crowd.
"Hrlng him out, or we'll burn him out!"
again thundered up from the desperate
people, and they began throwing logs
against the doors. Something must be
done, for there was no way of escaping
from the house. We all went to Iird Wa
verland and nrged and entreated him to
go to the window. He sat glum ami mode
no reply to our pleadings. At lust Miss
Everett went to him and said:
"Sir, if you do not answer we must all
perish."
He sat for a moment undecided, then ru
ing, he took her by the hand and led her to
the window I made a movement to keep
her back, but she waved me off with a mo
tion of her hand. 1 followed them, and
when they reached the open window, she
called out In her clear sweet voice:
"Here is Lord Waverland!" In a mo- .
ment the hoarse cry changed to a triumph
ant shout for the "Swate lAdyl" For some
moments the cheering continued. Whou
there was a lull she culled out again:
"Ixml Waverland will speak to you!"
"What do you want?" he asked lu a
trembling voice.
"We wuutour rent reduced, our homes
restored and a promise of protection!"
cried a voice from below.
"Come to me in tho morning, and I wiU
grant you anything and everything, only
spare us nowl" ho said trembling, his
teeth chattering as with nn ague fit.
VO, yes, ye, can plndo for mercy now,
but when we pled for our wives and child
era what mercy did yoz grant?" cuUcd out
a voice.
The men gnthered in a group and held a
short consultation, then h ft the yard
shouting, "Ireland and liberty forever!"
With a thankful heart 1 went to Miss
Everett, mid taking her hand I said, "We
owe you a debt of gratitude, my dear
Inena. fiui tor you our nome wouiu nave
been in ashes, and all of us either mur
dered or burned alive." A shudder ran
through her frame at the terrible thought,
but she permitted mo to still retain her
hand.
The guests all gathered around her to
offer their thanks. Even Lord Waverland
came to her, saying:
"What am I to do next, Miss Everett?
you seem to know."
"Do as you have promised. Give those
men the Justice they demand of you," she
said, in a calm, clear tone, thut added fores
to her words.
"What! weuld you let those mlseruble
wrelchiM know that .they huve frightened
me into kubmisblouf"
"Iird Waverland, I would show them
that I valued my word far more ihun my
wealth or my pride!" As sho uttered
these words she looked a very gisldea of
justice in her quiet dignity.
"Well, we'U see," he suid, and left the
room.
After Lord Waverland and his friends
had retired, leaving my mother, MLss Ev
erett, myself and a few servunts in the.
great empty hall, mother said:
"How terrible to think thut men arc,
driven to seek such revenue!"
"I was just thinking what a change -
from the last time we were in this room.
Then all was light, warmth and beauty,"
i i , , . 4, . i i . . 1. 1 ..
i suiu, going to me wiuuow uuu loukiiiK
out at the burning pilo.
"I cannot blame them." said Miss Ever
ett. "They have sutTered beyond the pow
er of endurance."
C- I .. I 1 i , .
looked, 1 took her in my anna and carried '
her to her room.
When I returned my room I could not
sloop. The timliers of the stable were yet .
burning, and cast a weird light into my
window. I fancied I could see the black -enod
forms of all the horses aud cattle otf
the place, as they probably lay roasting lnr
their stalLs. Then I remembered by whose
aid we had In-en saved from a terrible
death. So complete had been the arrange
ments of tho mob, that not a door or win
dow bad been left unguarded. The order
was given to fire on any one who should
attempt to escape. That was the reason of
the shot that came whizzing past my head
as I opened the window.
Almost unconsciously to myself, Miss
Everett had become very dear to me. Her
quiet ways and pleasant face had not only
brought sunshine Into the house, but into
my heart as well. I felt glad that to her
wo were Indebted. Hut what would b
the result of this night's work? was an oft
returning thought Would Iord Waver
land listen to reason and humble himself
enough to make terms with his outraged
tenants? or would his proud heart
further calamities on his famllv ,
ItoutiiiueU uext week,.;