Paul Prescotts Charge | Page 8

no money may feel themselves
lucky to get so good a home. So jest be a movin', for I can't be a waitin'
here all day."
Paul quietly submitted himself to the guidance of Mr. Mudge. He was
so occupied with the thought of his sad loss that he did not realize the
change that was about to take place in his circumstances.
About half a mile from the village in the bleakest and most desolate
part of the town, stood the Poor House. It was a crazy old building of
extreme antiquity, which, being no longer considered fit for an ordinary
dwelling- house, had been selected as a suitable residence for the
town's poor. It was bleak and comfortless to be sure, but on that very
account had been purchased at a trifling expense, and that was, of
course, a primary consideration. Connected with the house were some
dozen acres of rough-looking land, plentifully over- spread with stones,
which might have filled with despair the most enterprising agriculturist.
However, it had this recommendation at least, that it was quite in
character with the buildings upon it, which in addition to the house
already described, consisted of a barn of equal antiquity and a pig pen.
This magnificent domain was under the superintendence of Mr.
Nicholas Mudge, who in consideration of taking charge of the town
paupers had the use of the farm and buildings, rent free, together with a
stipulated weekly sum for each of the inmates.
"Well, Paul," said Mr. Mudge, as they approached the house, in a tone
which was meant to be encouraging, "this is goin' to be your home.
How do you like it?"
Thus addressed, Paul ventured a glance around him.
`I don't know," said he, doubtfully; "it don't look very pleasant."
"Don't look very pleasant!" repeated Mr. Mudge in a tone of mingled

amazement and indignation. "Well, there's gratitude for you. After the
town has been at the expense of providin' a nice, comfortable home for
you, because you haven't got any of your own, you must turn up your
nose at it."
"I didn't mean to complain," said Paul, feeling very little interest in the
matter.
"Perhaps you expected to live in a marble palace," pursued Mr. Mudge,
in an injured tone. "We don't have any marble palaces in this
neighborhood, we don't."
Paul disclaimed any such anticipation.
Mr. Mudge deigned to accept Paul's apology, and as they had now
reached the door, unceremoniously threw it open, and led the way into
a room with floor unpainted, which, to judge from its appearance, was
used as a kitchen.

IV.
LIFE IN A NEW PHASE.
Everything was "at sixes and sevens," as the saying is, in the room Mr.
Mudge and Paul had just entered. In the midst of the scene was a large
stout woman, in a faded calico dress, and sleeves rolled up, working as
if her life or the world's destiny depended upon it.
It was evident from the first words of Mr. Mudge that this lady was his
helpmeet.
"Well, wife," he said, "I've brought you another boarder. You must try
to make him as happy and contented as the rest of 'em are."
From the tone of the speaker, the last words might be understood to be
jocular.

Mrs. Mudge, whose style of beauty was not improved by a decided
squint, fixed a scrutinizing gaze upon Paul, and he quite naturally
returned it.
"Haven't you ever seen anybody before, boy? I guess you'll know me
next time."
"Shouldn't wonder if he did," chuckled Mr. Mudge.
"I don't know where on earth we shall put him," remarked the lady.
"We're full now."
"Oh, put him anywhere. I suppose you won't be very particular about
your accommodations?" said Mr. Mudge turning to Paul.
Paul very innocently answered in the negative, thereby affording Mr.
Mudge not a little amusement.
"Well, that's lucky," he said, "because our best front chamber's
occupied just now. We'd have got it ready for you if you'd only wrote a
week ago to tell us you were coming. You can just stay round here," he
said in a different tone as he was about leaving the room, "Mrs. Mudge
will maybe want you to do something for her. You can sit down till she
calls on you."
It was washing day with Mrs. Mudge, and of course she was extremely
busy. The water was to be brought from a well in the yard, and to this
office Paul was at once delegated. It was no easy task, the full pails
tugging most unmercifully at his arms. However, this was soon over,
and Mrs. Mudge graciously gave him permission to go into the
adjoining room, and make acquaintance with his fellow-boarders.
There were nine of them in all, Paul,