Miss Rasper's Error.

Auckland Star, Volume VII, Issue 1971, 3 June 1876, Page 6 (Supplement)

Miss Rasper's Error.

Mrs. Meek and Miss Rasper met on the platform of the Metropolitan station at South Kensington one brilliant October morning. Mrs. Meek was a pretty, down-looking widow, dressed in somewhat shabby weeds, with blue eyes, delicate bloom, and * shy, deprecating way, like that of a kitten whiGh has been ill-treated and is always on the lookout for a blow. Miss Easper was tall and handsome, dressed in a substantial-looking black silk, with the air of a woman who fears no created thing. And they both were from Mary-lcbonc. ' Well, I declare,' said Miss Easper. •Who would have thought of seeing you?' said Mrs. Meek. 1 Going to get into a Brompton 'bus,' said Miss Easper, crossing the street with a martial air that made drivers rein in their horses, and even stopped a cab that had the undoubted right of way; but who would have dared to run over a woman with a step and umbrella like that P ' Yes, I suppose so,' said Mrs. Meek, consulting a crumpled little slip of newspaper in her hand. "' I want to go to No, 19' Kosemount Square, and if that is tlio nearest way — Miss Easper whirled round, with her foot on the omnibus step. 'Eh!' ejaculated she. 'No. 19, Eosemount Square ? Louisa Meek, I am going there, too !'

'To answer an advertisement for a housekeeper ?' 'Yes?'

' Dear mo !' said Mrs. Meek ; ' how very strange ! I saw tho advertisomeat, and thought perhaps I might suit.'

' Well,1 said Miss Rasper, seating herself in the best corner of the omnibus, and clicking her teeth together, something after the same fashion in which sho clicked the clasp of her portmannaie, after taking out the necessary coin, ' there's no harm in trying. I mean to try. 1

Little Mrs. Meek looked discomfited. How could she expect to succeed, she asked herself, when Maria Rasper was also a competitor for the vacant post ?

There were only three of them in tho 'bus —Miss Rasper, Mrs. Meek, and a little, modest-looking damsel in a plain gray travelling dress. Mrs. Meek looked at the third person, thinking how sweet and innocent her faco was. Miss Rasper glared at her, secretly assessing her dress at a shilling a yard, and setting down her cellar as imitation lace,

Miss Rasper handed her monoy to the Conductor with the air of one who owned tho whole omnibus. Mrs. Meek gave hers apologetically, as if afraid that she might offend the man by too great brusqueness, and tho pretty girl opposite felt in her bag, then in her pocket ; felt a second time, and a third, and then burst into tears.

Miss Easpor, who was tho voryporsonification of her name in every respect, sat up gruff and stem in her corner, ' like a darning-needle stuck in a board.' She had read of tho ' confidence dodges' in the newspaper, and no doubt this was one of them. Mrs. Meek leaned over with sympathetic kindness. IMy dear, what is tho matter ?' said sho. Miss Easpcr jerked her dress. ' Don't speak to her,' said sho; 'I believe it's all put on.' • I've lost my portemonnaie,' said the young girl, 'or else I've had my pocket picked. Oh, dear, dear ! And there were five sovereigns in it, besides a lot of change.' ' Don't believe thero were five pence in it,' said Miss Easper, sotto voce. 1 Perhaps ono of you ladies would kindly lend me the fare,' said the young girl, in a flurried sort of way, ' because it's too far for me to walk, and I haven't a penny left.' ' Young woman,' said Miss Easper, loftily, ' you can't come it over me. I'm too old a bird to be caught with chaff like that.' 'I don' quite understand you, ma'am,' said the young girl, timidly. 'Don't you ?' said Miss Easper. 'If you presume to ask mo for money agiin, I'll give you in charge of the police. JNow do you understand ?' Mrs Meek looked as indignantly at Miss Kasper as it was in her mild nature to look at any one. {. • How can you speak so, Maria P' she said, eagerly fumbling in her own scantily furnished pocket. 'Do you really believe that story ?' sniffed Miss Easper, contempt trembling on her lip, and disdain breathing through her uplifted nostrils. ' Why of course I believe it.' ' Then you're one degree a bigger fool than I gave you credit for being,' retorted Miss Easper. ' It's a sell —a regular street sell. If you had read 'The Tricks and Trials of London,' as I have done, you'd understand all these things from A to Z. The young hypocrite ought to be handed over to tho police. And yet, there you are, Louisa Meek, encouraging her in her evil ways. lam surprised at you.' For Mrs Meek, seating herself by the side of the trembling and affnghtened young girl, had already paid her fare, and ■ypas whispering encouragement to her. Miss Rasper remained stiff and upright staring immovably out of the window, sooner than even by a glance countenance her friend's unseemly and ill-judged conduct.

•As green as grass,' she said to herself. I Louisa Meek is so unsophisticated that

she would fall into any trap going. She's no more fit for London life than a year-old lamb. Hero's Eosemount Square, at last; thank goodness/ She get out of the 'bus. Mrs Meek got out also; and to the infinite surprise of both, the young girl in the gray travelling dress alighted as well. •Do you stop at Eosemount Square ?' said Mrs Meek.

' Why, yes,' said the young girl; ' I livo here.'

' Seamstress, or something of that kind,' said Miss Easper under her breath. 'Perhaps, then,' said Mrs Meek, ever inclined, ivy fashion, to cling to something, ' you can tell us where No. 19 is.' The sweet, dimpled young face lighted up. 'Just here,' said she, pointing to one of the tall houses which faced them. ' Papa lives here.'

' Hump !' snorted Miss Easper again, sotto voce. ' Coachman's daughter. Protably employed in the laundry.' The young girl ran lightly up the steps and rang the bell. Tho two elder women followed, and were presently shown into an elegant reception room, where a tali, handsome lady, in a dove-colored silk morning wrapper, was sitting at her embroidery, ' Juliette V sho exclaimed, in surprise.

' Darling mother,' cried the girl, running into her arms, ' you didn't expect me back from cousin Clare's so soon, did you ? I meant to take you by surprise ; but, oh ! came near coming to grief, for I had my pocket picked, and should have had to walk home, if this kind lady,' turning with a grateful smile to Mrs. Meek, ' had not lent me the fare, although the other one —the tall one in black—told me I was a swindler, and threatened to hand mo over to the police!'

The lady's handsome brow darkoned. ITo the police ! My daughter ! Madam,'turning to Miss Rasper, 'may I ask what has procured mo the honor of this visit?'

'I —l came to apply for the situation of house-keeper,' stammered Miss Rasper, apparently feeling very ill at ease. ' I advertised for a housekeeper,' said the lady, ' but not one who could so brutally insult any unprotected child, least of all my daughter. James,' ringing tho bell, which was answered by a footman, ' show this woman to the door.' And kind little Mrs. Meek got the situation. That threepenny 'bus faro was the best investment sho over made.