The Spectacle Man.
by Mary F. Leonard.
CHAPTER FIRST.
FRANCES MEETS THE SPECTACLE MAN.
"The bridge is broke, and I have to mend it, Fol de rol de ri do, fol de rol de ri do--"
sang the Spectacle Man, leaning his elbows on the show-case, with his hands outspread, and the gla.s.ses between a thumb and finger, as he nodded merrily at Frances.
Such an odd-looking person as he was! Instead of an ordinary coat he wore a velvet smoking-jacket; the top of his bald head was protected by a Scotch cap, and his fringe of hair, white like his pointed beard, was parted behind and brushed into a tuft over each ear, the ribbon ends of his cap hanging down between in the jauntiest way. It was really difficult to decide whether the back or front view of him was most cheerful.
"Will it take long?" Frances asked, with dignity, although a certain dimple refused to be repressed.
"Well, at least half an hour, if I am not interrupted; but as my clerk is out, I may have to stop to wait on a customer. Perhaps if you have other shopping to do you might call for them on your way home." If there was a twinkle in the eye of the Spectacle Man, n.o.body saw it except the gray cat who sat near by on the directory.
"Thank you, I think I"d better wait," replied Frances, politely, much pleased to have it supposed she was out shopping.
At this the optician hastened to give her a chair at the window, motioning her to it with a wave of the hand and a funny little bow; then he trotted into the next room and returned with a _St. Nicholas_, which he presented with another bow, and retired to his table in the corner.
As he set to work he hummed his tune, glancing now and then over his shoulder in the direction of his small customer.
Perched on the high-backed chair, in her scarlet coat and cap, her hands clasped over the book, her bright eyes fixed on the busy street, it was as if a stray red bird had fluttered in, bringing a touch of color to the gray-tinted room. From her waving brown locks to the tips of her toes she was a dainty little maid, and carried herself with the air of a person of some importance.
If the Spectacle Man was interested in Frances, she was no less interested in him; neither the street nor the magazine attracted her half so much as the queer shop and its proprietor. It had once been the front parlor of the old dwelling which, with its veranda and gra.s.s-plat, still held its own in the midst of the tall business houses that closed it in on either side. Here were the show-cases, queer instruments, and cabalistic looking charts for trying the sight; over the high mantel hung a large clock, and in the grate below a coal fire nickered and purred in a lazy fashion; and through the half-open folding doors Francis had a glimpse into what seemed to be a study or library.
At least a dozen questions were on the tip of her tongue, but didn"t get any further. For instance, she longed to ask if those cunning little spectacles on the doll"s head in the case near her, were for sale, and if the Spectacle Man had any children who read the _St. Nicholas_ and what the gray cat"s name was, for that he had a name she didn"t doubt, he was so evidently an important part of the establishment.
He had descended from the directory, which was rather circ.u.mscribed for one of his size, and curled himself comfortably on the counter; but instead of going to sleep he gently fanned his nose with the tip of his tail, and kept his yellow eyes fixed on Frances as if he too felt some curiosity about her. She was thinking how much she would like to have him in her lap when the Spectacle Man looked around and said, "The next time your grandmother breaks these frames she will have to have some new ones."
"They aren"t my grandmother"s, they are Mrs. Gray"s. I haven"t any grandmother," she answered.
"You haven"t? Why, that"s a coincidence; neither have I!"
Frances laughed but didn"t think of anything else to say, so the conversation dropped, and the optician fell to humming:--
"The bridge is broke."
They might never have become really acquainted if, just as he was giving a final polish to the gla.s.ses, it had not begun to rain.
"What shall I do?" Frances exclaimed, rising hurriedly. "I haven"t any umbrella."
The Spectacle Man walked to the window, the gla.s.ses in one hand, a piece of chamois in the other. "It may be only a shower," he said, peering out; "but it is time for the equinoctial." Then, seeing the little girl was worried, he asked how far she had to go.
"Only two blocks; we are staying at the Wentworth, but mother and father were out when I left and won"t know where I am."
"Well, now, don"t you worry; d.i.c.k will be in presently and I"ll send him right over to the hotel to let them know where you are, and get a waterproof for you."
This made Frances feel more comfortable; and when, after putting the gla.s.ses in their case and giving her the change from Mrs. Gray"s dollar, he lit the gas in the back parlor and invited her in, she almost forgot the storm.
The room was quite different from any she had ever been in, and she at once decided she liked it. Around the walls were low cases, some filled with books and papers, others with china and pottery; from the top of an ancient looking chest in one corner a large stuffed owl gazed solemnly at her; the mantel-shelf was full of books, and above it hung a portrait of Washington. There were some plaster casts and a few engravings, and beside the study table in the middle of the room was an arm-chair which, judging from its worn cover, was a favorite resting-place of the Spectacle Man.
"I have a little writing to do before d.i.c.k comes in; can"t I give you a book while I am busy? I have a number of story-books," her host asked.
Frances thanked him, but thought she"d rather look about. "You seem to have so many interesting things," she said.
While she walked slowly around the room the optician sat down at the table and wrote rapidly. "How does this sound," he presently asked.
""WANTED: Occupants for a small, partially furnished flat. All conveniences; rent reasonable. Apply 432 Walnut Street." You don"t happen to know any one who wants a flat, I suppose?"
Frances said she did not.
"The lady who had my second story rooms was called away by her mother"s death, and now she is not coming back. With Mark away at school it is really very important to have them rented." The Spectacle Man tapped the end of his nose with his pen and began to hum absent-mindedly:--
"The bridge is broke and I have to mend it."
At this moment a boy with a dripping umbrella appeared at the door. He proved to be d.i.c.k, and was at once despatched to the Wentworth with instructions to ask for Mr. John Morrison, and let him know his daughter was safe and only waiting till the storm was over; and on his way back to stop at the newspaper office and leave the advertis.e.m.e.nt.
"Dear me!" said Frances, after he had gone, "we might have sent Mrs.
Gray"s gla.s.ses; I am afraid she will be tired waiting for them. She can"t see to do anything without them, and she is lame too."
"Well, she is fortunate in having a friend to get them mended for her.
And now I wonder if you wouldn"t like to see old Toby," said the optician, taking down a funny looking jug in the shape of a very fat old gentleman. "When my grandfather died he left me this jug and the song about the bridge. Did you ever hear it before?"
Frances said she never had.
"Grandfather used to sing it to me when I was a little boy, and I find it still a very good song. When I get into a tight place and can"t see how I am to get through, why--" here he waved his hands and nodded his head--
""The bridge is broke, and I have to mend it,"
"and I go to work and try. Sometimes it is for other people, sometimes for myself. Bridges are always getting broken,--"tisn"t only spectacles."
Frances smiled, for though she did not quite understand, it sounded interesting; but before she had time to ask any questions a tall young man entered. "Why, Wink! what in the world are you doing here?" he exclaimed.
"Oh, daddy dear, I hope you haven"t worried!" she cried, running to him; "Mrs. Gray broke her gla.s.ses and couldn"t read or sew, and I thought I ought to have them mended for her,--it wasn"t far you know--and then it began to rain so I couldn"t get back."
"And this is Mr. Clark, I suppose," said Mr. Morrison; "let me thank you for taking care of my little daughter. And now, Wink, put on this coat and your rubbers, and let us hurry before mother quite loses her mind."
When she was enveloped in the waterproof, Frances held out her hand.
"Thank you, Mr. Clark," she said; "I hope you will find some nice person to rent your flat. Good-by."
The Spectacle Man stood in his door and watched the two figures till they disappeared in the misty twilight, then he returned to the shop.
"Peterkin," he said, addressing the cat, "I like that little girl, and I suppose I"ll never see her again."
Peterkin uncurled himself, stood up on the counter, arched his back, and yawned three times.