North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1863-02-18

rather prepossessing. The intelligencer look
ed at the woman-as only men in that sta
tion can-to see if the women would suit the
place, and the place suit the woman.
al have only one place." he replied, 4" Mrs
Smiths and she is the hardest women to suit
with help in this city. But if you have a
mind to, you can try the place, and if you
stay with her month I'll charge you the
usual fee if not I'll get you another place. d
The woman was satisfied to try, and boy
was sent to show her the lady's residence.
Mrs. Smith," soliloquized the woman as
she walked up towards the mountain. Mrs.
Smith" A paleness overspread her face as
she caught glimpse of the features of Mrs.
Smith through the window when she turned
into the basement of the house, but with an
effort she gathered courage; and her cheek
grew red with the returning flush.
"Mr.-- sent this woman," said the boy
to Mrs. Smith as they entered the large
breakfast room, where the children were
making boats out ofegg shells and floating
them in ponds of coffee.
" Another woman" cried Ed, running up
to her and catching hold of her gown, san
other wom'n,' lisped little Kate as she follow
ed her brothers. example.
woman, never mind therA," said Mrs,
Smith. ED and Kate go and be dressed
go this instant, or l'll whip you"
Il. IL L.. 4 IL. IL
the woman was hardly conscious of either
She seemed all attention to other thoughts
perhaps about her own children or these she
loved and left behind. The Office boy, the
while, was saying, "And Mr. says he
hopes she will SUIT you-and since there has
been so much said about girls wages in the
papers they are all going off in the country
and this one came on the steamer, yesterday,
from the States"
The boys errand done, he left the mis-
tress with the woman. Mrs. Smith seated
herself upon the lounge, while the woman
stood gazing with apparent astonishment
around her.
"What countrywoman are you2" Mrs.
Smith inquired, as she began the formula OF
her accustomed chdt-echism.
American" the woman artculated, in
reply, as i half afraid to speak.
"How old are Won 81
Twenty-Five"
"Maid or widow 2"
"Widow."
"Can YOU take good care of children. Ed
and Kate are two dear sweet children. and if
you are any ways cross, fear you will not
suit me-"
Il am very fond of children, madam" and
the woman fairly shuddered as she spoke the
word 1" Madam"
"Can you wash for the family there are
only four of u.s."
Il can try"
Can you cook good dinner if our ser-
want man helps you-for sometimes we have
company, at other times we are not particu-
lar =
"I believe can. My sister used to praise
me for being good cook"
your sister Poor soul, perhaps she was
not Judge" The woman bit her lips until
the blood fairly started from their trembling
veins "Well | want you to do chamber
work besides, and make yourself generally
useful about the house. Now what wages
do you expect e.
"Thirty-fve dollars a month, I was told
was the usual wages"
"Thirty five dollars" and Mrs. Smith
raised her eyes in surprise. Why you must
mean twenty five doIlars-that is the high
est wages ever paid, she exclaimed. And
Mrs. Smith smiled for she had heard the boy
say that the woman had just arrived, and she
was one of those women opposed to high
wages for servants.
suppose it must be twenty-five" said
tho tImidly do know Uhat