Belinda the Slavey; or, Plot and Counterplot
As an inmate of the poorhouse, Belinda is a wretched specimen of the slavey type. When Miss Finch, the keeper of the boarding house, is in need of help, she chooses Belinda as a maid of all work. She is so grateful for the chance to better her condition, she is willing to do anything for the happiness of her mistress. Harry Lamb, a gay young chap, takes board at Miss Finch's home, and falls in love with Miss Kitty, another boarder. Mr. Lamb shows Miss Finch many attentions, merely as a matter of policy. She comes to the conclusion that Lamb is in love with her and she determines that he shall be hers. Harry decides to write Kitty of his love, and at the same time, he sends his week's board money to Miss Finch. He gives the two envelopes to Belinda, she takes them to the kitchen, opens them, reads them and shows them to the grocer's boy, who is very sweet on Belinda. She knows that the boarding house keeper is in love with Lamb, and hoping to help her, takes the note addressed to Kitty, and places it in the same envelope with the money, to Miss Finch. She then delivers the note to Miss Finch, who is delighted. The first time she gets the opportunity, she caresses Harry so strenuously it arouses Kitty's jealousy; everything is off between Harry and her. Lamb has told the landlady he would leave at the end of his week and is about to do so, when she meets him in the hall and after a severe struggle, retains him, with the assistance of the grower's boy, who carries him back to his room. Lamb is in a plight until he finally thinks up an idea. He goes to a photographer, who is a friend of his, and tells him his troubles. The photographer gets his wife and children to pose with Harry in a photograph, which Harry plans to bring to the notice of Miss Finch, making her believe that he is a married man. He gets the photograph and leaves it in his room. Belinda discovers it and takes it to her mistress, who is so overcome, she faints. Belinda revives her, and they go in search of Lamb, whom they find just about to leave the house. They give chase, in company with the grocer's boy. After pursuing him for three or four blocks, meeting with several mishaps, he luckily catches a passing trolley car and makes good his escape.
