Volcano weekly ledger., 1855-12-15

elope, " remember TO have heard of him as
a bachelor inheritng a large fortune from his
father | suppose he must be about 35
by this time. | wonder whether. supposng
were to apply just for the joke of the thing,
he would give me the situation.
1t was a new idea, and the novelty Of it
struck Miss Penelope so fayorably, especially
as she had become heartily tired of her pres
ent mode Of life, that after a little considera-
ton, she determined to carry out her plan,
and if successful in her application, to retain
her situation a month or two.
The next morning very early. Miss Pen
elope summoned her obedicnt handmaid
Sally" said She +" ! am thinking of go-
ing out of town for a mouth or two and dur
ing the time shall close up the house Ifyou
have friends you would ike to visit you are
at liberty to do so. Your wages. however.
are to be continued as usual, and you will
let me know wherever you go, in order that
| may call upon you if / should return unex-
pectedly.
The proposal suited very well with Sally's
nclinatons, as will readily be believed and
though she was at a loss to conceive what
had sent such home body as her mistress
travelling, she was well disposed to take an
advantage of it,
Eleven O'Clock found Miss Penelope in the
cars, flying with all speed for her dcstina-
ton
Mr. Gregory Mckim was q bachelor of
thirty-iye, as our readers have been already
informed Inhcriting large fortune from his
father, it was matter of no little wonder
ment to his numerous friends that he called
no one to his side to share it. But Gregory
was one of those easy men who never took
the trouble to go after anything If it was
within his reach well and good; otherwise
the exertion was too great, and he voted it a
bore. He seemed content 90 live on. as he
had ever Lived in single blessedness-quite
ignorant of the greater blessings of matri-
mony
1t was after dinner, and, as was his wont,
he was leaning back in his rocking chair,
plunging into the peculiar drcaminess, super
induced by choice Havana cigar, when the
bell was heard to ring.
Plague take t!' said he rousing himself
unwilingly "Some visitor | wish they
would take another time"
" A lady, announced the servant, opening
the door and introducing Miss Penelope
Your servant ma'am," said Gregory,
bowing; "moSt happy to see you. Pray be
seated
"This is Mr.. McKim, l believe" said the
lady
The same maam, at your service" he
said
Z" ! noticed an advertisement of yours in
the paper
"Ah, yes, for housekeepcr. Can you re-
commend me one"
81 come to offer myself for the situation.
Being an interested party said Miss Pene-
lope, smiling slightly, perhaps it would be
as well not to recommend myself TO highly
"Aheml aheml Have you ever served in
that capacity before?' asked Mr. McKim, n
little embarrassed
"No | cannot say that l have believe.
however, | am acquainted with the duties it
would devolve upon me-"
"As | stated in the advertisement your
chief duty would be that of superintendent.
and presiding at the table AS | keep two
servants, they would be sufficient for all
other household duties. What are your
tcrmsl"
THAT point is quite immaterial to me, y
said She little amused at the novelty of her
situation.
Shall say four dollars week-wll that
satisfy you?"
Perfectly. 1t is quite liberal. One
thing ! should like to stipulate. An unfor-
seen event may arise to change my plans, and
| should like to engage for only four weeks -
"As you please When will you be in read
iness to come"
At once At least as soon as | can find
means to convey my baggage hither."
Where have you left itl"
" At the hotel"
"Do not trouble yourself about it; / will
send for it Immediately. Oh, had forgot
ten one thing-your name"
Penelope had not prepared herself for this
To give her own name was thing she
hardly dared to venture upon. After pause
she said:
"You may call me Julia Malcolm"
Miss Julia Malcolm, presume, " said Mr.
McKim
Yes said she, blushing slightly
In two hours from that time Miss Pene-
lope's trunk arrived, the keys were put in her
hands, and the servants introduced to theiI
new mistress. We may consider her fully
installed in her new station. Let's see how
she finds things.
Mr.. McKims establishment was a large
one. Being situated but few miles out oi
the city in a delightful neighborhood, many
visitors were drawn to it in the summer sea
son. Sometimes half dozen at time were
visiting it.
Mss Penelope Penrose was well qualified
to preside at table, having always been ac