The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1855-12-26
s'Y ou may call me Julia Malcolm
Miss Julia Malcolm, presume, said MI
Yes" said she. .blushino slightIv.

Yes said she, ,blushing slightly
In two hours from that time Miss Penelope S
trunk arrived, the keys were put in her hands.
and the servants introduced to their new mis-
tress. We may consider her fairly installed in
her new situation. Let's see how she finds it.
Mr.. McKm's establishment was a large one.
Being situated but a few miles out of the city in
delightful neighborhood, many visitors were
drawn to it in the summer season. Sometimes
half a dozen at time were visiting it.
Miss Penelope Penrose was well qualified to
preside at table, having always been accus-
toned to do so at her own. She did SO with a
mingled grace and elegance that Mr.. McKim
was as much surprised at as delighted with.
Still further, her education qualified her to min
gle in conversation with degree of intelligence
which betrayed that she was well read. This
qualification, so rare in a housekeeper, pleased
Mr.. McKim not little, and arrested the atten-
ton of his guests. So
Certainly, Mr.. McKim," said friend, i"you
have paragon of housekeper. Where did
you get her?
Zone of the advantages of advertising, m y
dear fellow l5-s E-s
"Then hereafter / shall believe it. You
must take care, though, or some of these days
you will be marrying her. shouldn't blame
you if you did," t@
'lt seems to me, from your enthusiasm that
you are much more likely to get caught re-
torted his friend. :. -,,.... = ysz...s
The party were sitting in parlor on a tran
quill summer evening. The lights had been re-
moved on account of the mosquitoes which
they attracted. Conversation had gradually
ceased, and feeling of quiet such as is apt to
come over the mind in such time, had stolen
upon all. .. ~
"How pleasant it is" said one of the COM
pany, 'to sit here in the pleasant moonlight.
But one thing is wanting to complete enchant-
ment.'' a.
'And that is ....... -=-
'Music''
II was just thinking of it" said Mr.. McKim,
"and wishing we had some one who could play.
Gentlemen are any Of you gifted that way"
The answer was general negative.
perhaps interposed the housekeeper, in lieu
of a better, you would wish me to play?"
''What, Miss Malcolm, do you play? ?"--asked
McKim, in surprise. .. ...e 4....
"a little" 49,. -..-r
''Then you will confer great favor by Civ
my SOluC SpcClLHeIS vi NOul Skill.
Miss Penelope was an accomplished musician
having cultivated assiduously her natural talent
which was very considerable. In addition to
this she sang very tastefully. ... r.. 3d..
Without more ado, she proceeded to the piano
and played with her accustomed execution a
variety of pieces, snme of them very difficult
Then pausing a moment, she accompanied her
sefon the instrument with the words of popu-
lar song after which she arose and left the piano
Warm encomiums and fatterng compliments
were lavisheed upon the singer, who received
them with due modesty, and soon after retired
After this, Penelope's musical talents, as
may readily be imagined, were often called into
requisition.
IL was about a fortnight after this occurrence
that Penelope. who had left directions to for
ward letters with friend wiz, was in the secret
received letter that her sister, who had beer
abroad, was expected daily, and would probably
proceed at once to her residence.
This made her immediate departure necessa
ry, and so SIZE informed Mr.. McKm.
leave mel" said McKim, in troubled tone
You are not dissatisfied hope?''
mot at all, my sisters presence will render
it necessary" .. ~ ....
Anu Will SUu lOb return. ..
II do not think l shall be able, as my sister
will probably wish me to stay with her"
Mr. McIim paced the room in some pertur-
baton, and then suddenly drew up chair and
sat down by Penelope"
Il do not think can give you up" said, ""and
| have therefore. another proposition to make.
If you will not stay with me as a housekeeper,
will you as a wife?
:This is $3.50 unexpected," murmured
Penelope.
"But you won't reflse?"
''Let me make an explanation first. and then
YOU shall be at liberty to do as you please.
Know, then, that am possessed of an inde-
pendent fortune, and merely assumed the post
of housekeeper to crafty whim, and that the
time for which had resolved to keep up the
disguise has passed My name is not Julia
Malcolm, but Penelope Penrose.'' -. -
This explanation only made Gregory urge
his suit more vehemently, and in short it was
only a month from that time that our heroine
promised to become housekeeper for life''
Was not that s'bold stroke for husband?'
->~-~~~-~~~-~-~-~~~~9-~~~ o.,
A recent work of science gives the follow
ing novel experiment, which settles question
oi sohle III oitaHce III phlosophy. Wonun-
dred pounds weight of earth was dried in an
oven, and afterwards put into an earthen yes
sci. The earth was then moistened with rain
water, and willow tree. weighing FIVE pounds,
was placed therein. During the space of FIVE
years the earth was carefully watered with rain
water, or pure water; the willow grew rapidly
and flourished, and to prevent the earth being
mixed with fresh earth, or dust blown to it by
the winds, it was covered with metal plate,
perforated with great number Of small holes,
suitable for the free admission of air only. Af-
ter growing in the air for five years, the tree
was removed and found to weigh 160 pounds
and about three ounces; the leaves which fell
from the tree every autumn were not included
in this weight. The earth was then removed
from the vessel again dried in the oven, and
afterwards discovered to have lost only about
Two ounces of its original weight; thus 164
pounds of woody fibre, bark and roots, were
certainly produced-but from what source?-I
The air has been discovered to be source of
;olid element at last. This statement may at
irst appear Incredible, but on slight reflection
is truth is proved, because the atmosphere
contains ca;bonic acid, which is the compound
If TIA parts by weight of oxygen, and 358
,arts hy Weioht of carbon E&5-y