The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1863-08-06


eccentricity of manner. [ was thinking
gratefully of my own comfort, and watch
ing her hang up my clothes in the closet
in her own style, when the bell rang
Like lightning she closed the closet door,
caught up the tray, and rushed down
stairs. From my open door [ could hear
the following conversation, which l must
say rather astonished even me, already
prepared fo- any eccentricity.
DR.. Holbrook was my visitor, and Of
course his first question was,
"How is Mrs. Harvey this morning %
In voice that was the concentrated
essence of about dozen tragedies, my
extraordinary servant replied
"What man art thou ?'
"Is the woman crazy ?" cried the doc
tor.
"Lay not that hattering JUNCTION to your
soul p cried Mary.
"H'm-yes-" said the doctor musing-
y then, in his own CHEEKY brisk tone, he
added: "You are the new servant L sup
pose ?''
s.Sir, will serve my mistress till chill
death shall part us from each other"
"H'm. Well, now, in plain English,
go tell her [ am here"
sI 90, and it is done !" was the reply,
and with the slow stride and halt heard
her cross the entry. She was soon at my
door, "Madam, the doctor waits p she
said, standing with one arm out in grand
attitude.
"Let him come up," I said choking
with laughter.
Size went down again.
'Sir, from my mistress [ have lately
come, to bid you welcome, aud implore
you to ascend. She waits within yon
chamber for your coming"
Is it to be wondered at that the doctor
found his patient in perfect commissions
of laughter, or that he joined her in her
merriment.
"Where did you find that treasure 2"
he asked.
"Harry sent her from the Office"
"Stage. struck evidently, though where
she picked up that fifth cut actress man
ner remains to be seen."
The professional part of his visit over,
the doctor stayed for a chat. We were
warmly discussing the news of the day,
when whew! the door flew open, and IN
stalked Mary, and announced, with a
swing Of her arm
"The butcher, madam y
l saw the doctors eyes twinkle, but he
began to write in his memorandum book
with intense gravity.
"Well, Mary" said, "he is not wait
ing p :.
"The dinner waits p she replied /:
:.Shall I prepare the viands as my own
judgment shall direct, or viii your incli-
nation dictate to me 2"
"Cook them as you WILL" said, "but
have good dinner for Mr.. Harvey at two
O. o'clock."
"Between the strokes twill wait his
appetite" And with another sweeping
courtesy she left the room, the door, as
usual, after her exit standing wide open.
She was as good as her word With
out any orders from me, she took 1t for
granted that Harry would dine up stairs,
and set the table out in my room. l was
beginning to let my keen sense OF the
ludicrous triumph over pain and WEAKNESS,
and | watched her, strangling the laugh
till she was down stairs. To see her stab
the potatoes, and behead the celery was a
rerfect treat, and the air OF martyr
preparing poison with which she pouHd
out the water, was perfect. Harry was
evidently prepared for fun, for he watched
her as keenly as | did.
Not one mouthful would she bring to
me, till she had made it dainty as could
be mashiug my potatoes with the move
,nent of saint crushing vipers, and
buttering my bread in manner that falrly
transformed the knife into dagger. Yet
the moment she brought it to me, all the
affectation dropped, and no mother could
have been more naturally tender. Evi-
IDENTIFY, with all her nonsense, she was
kind hearted.
1t took bnt one day to find that we
had secured a perfect treasure. Her
cooking was exquisite enough Tor the
palate Of an epicure; she was neat to
nicely, and / soon found her punctua. and
trustworthy. Her attentions to myself
were touching in their watchtul kindness.
Sometimes, when the pain was very severe,
and could only lie suffering and helpless,
her large hands would smooth my hair
softly, and her voice became almost
musical in its low murmurings of "Poor
child Poor little one" think her
large strong frame and consciousness OF
physical superiority to me Ia my tiny
form and helpless state, reused ali the
motherly tenderness of her nature, and
she lavished it upon me freely. a