Tama County Republican. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1867-1872, 1868-03-13
TOM DEVELIN'S HELP.
ny SARAH r. CROSSE.

I GE7Tf ny SARAH r. CROSSE. @5
"Tom, do wish you would marry AMI have
some one to take charge Of tho household af
fairs," said old Mrs Dcy.,in 70 her IN n dsome
bachelor son.
"Krry me marry. Why, I'll as soor
think Of being harnessed with polar bear,
as would Of slipping into the matrimonial
yoke and Tom smiled wickcdly.
| "But Tom--'
"Fiddlcsticks,n retorted her duifll SON.
III you think I'm going to tic myself to a
woman's apronstrings, why then, your mis-
taken, that's all. You cannot come that on
me. Not nuchly, and he turned up his aris.
tocratic nose in disgust.
Old Mrs Devclin held up her hands in holy
horror. "Oh hear him. What slang"
'Pleasc mother, hold on, I'm sorry, but
and he thrust his hands wrathfully in his
pantaloons pockets, and marched across the
floor. "As for getting little, vain, self con
ceited mink for wife, who will box my ears
and pull my hair, without the least provoca-
ton whatever, fand that is as all woman d ], J
| to please you, jus. shan't" and irate Tom in
his wrath gave an unotfending foo:stool
vicious kick that sent it flying across the
| room.
"Well then, If You object 10 a wife, perhaps
you'll hunt npa girl-ons who wiz be sort
of companion, besides doing something about.
house-work." Tom wheeled around, elevated
his eyebrows and gave prolonged whistle.
'Whewl' he calculated. "You speak a,
| though the thing was inevitable, and of two
evils must choose the least. A wife won't
have; but I'll consider the GIRL and he left
the room, closing the door after him with
bang.
Mrs. Dcvclin watched hin, as he drove of
thinking what handsome fellow he was, and
wondering why in the world he did not choose
from among the many country bellies, wife.
Tom did not find success at first, as is usu-
ally the case, and at last in despair. he accos,
ted group of girls who were standing under
some thorn trees. "Young ladies' said he
| rather diffidently, for hey were all strangers
to him, ''can you inform me where can find
a girl TO work q
= -=4E - . f
Alter some hesitation one Of them. prstty
black-eyci girl, said, s'that if he wouli accom-
pany her home, she thought perhaps the girl
who was living at her mothers would be glad
Of pace, as she was about to b. discha, gei
on account OF not being competent TO do the
work Of 50 large family" Tom-sladly as
sented, and after short consultation with
her mpanions-intermixe with half sup
pressed giggles and exclamations from the
girls--hc assisted her into the buggy and they
drove oil. They hal not far to go, for pres
entity she pointed out little cottage and told
him that was the place. lie helped her oui of
the vehicle and walked mp the wide gravcled
walk by her side. What way she had /; VIII.
eyes and hair, and whes she laughed Toms
manly heart tLumped fumultuously against
the left side of his vest He felt that he was
almost inveigled. She led him into the parlor
and placed him a chair. ."Be seated.s she
said, "and will send the girl in"
Tom waited a full hour and was getting
considerably vexed, when the door opened.
and q girl came in.
Il suppose you arc the person came to
"iou came for mesto work 2" she qnerricd
in stpanr rly familliar voice. N
..:ies," he replied, ....
And knowing that he ought 10 ascertain
her capa bilities, but hardly knowing how to
commence, he asked
'Can You make. beds tip>ton and fry sauce.
paws. and stew pane axes, aud all that sort of
thing? -
A stray gleam Of mirth shot from her dark
eyes, and suspicious smile lurked around
her mouth ~ she replied that she could
''Tls dace p mentally exclaimed Tom "I
wonder What makes her laugh?'' I'm sure
the questions were MI correct. However. I'll
keep on, 80 assuming wonderful wise man.
ner be resumed; t'4nd yoa can steam the
potatoes till they re done to turn, ana mako
pot-pe puddipgs, and salads, and the jolliest
jeNies imaginable ~ rs IS
She thought she could, and 30 Tom look
her. ~ ~ r srH
"Miss Lacy has bsen detained in her moth
ers room, and will not -rsturn to the parlor
this evening" said Toms girl. a.
He looked surprised, and then said :.u
III that's the case We might as we'll be off,,
All the way home Tom eyed the ''helr,''
where had he seen some one like her, or her.
, self, he could not. tell.
"But," Quoth he to himself, ''she,s lady-like
and refined, and understands work."
And he congratulated himself on his sue
cess in getting such jewel.
Tom led his prize into the sitting room ana
summoned his mother. Tom proceeded to
enumerate the girls skill in cookery; but his
mother thought it doubtful about her stewlng
the sauce pan or making pot-pie puddings
But she concluded to try her, and If she
gave satisfaction she ives to remain - long
as she pleased.
rom considered her as his especial prop
srty, and lost no time in making known the
fact to herself. He took it into his head one
day to inquire her name-a thing he had not
i thought of before inasmuch as no had dubbed
her "Crosspatch' on tho first day of her arr
rival, o. A,seoount Of sundry SAVOY speeches
she had Addressed 70 his high and mighty
lordship.
"Pray, will YOU favor me with your name