Vermont daily transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1868-1870, 1868-08-15


scribe her 'ways," as Harry calls them?
She stood for an instant perfectly notion
less, and then she swept down III low
and really not ungraccful courtesy.
"Madam," she said in deep voice,
"your most obedent.n
"You are" said, unquestionably. /
"Your humble servant"
This was not getting along bit, so
said,-
"You are the girl that Mr.. Harvey sent
from the intelligence Officer
III am that woman" she said with a |
flourish of her shawl and here is my
certificate of merit and she took pa
per from her pocket. Advancing with
long step, stop, another step, a stop,
until she reached my bedside, she hand
ed me the paper with a low bow, ana
then stepping back three steps, she STOOD
waiting for me to read it, with her
hands clasped and dropping, and her
head bent as if it were her death war
rant.
1t was well written, properly word
ed note from her former mistress, GER
tifying that she was honest and capable,
and l really had no choice but to keep
her, so | told her to find her room, lay
off her bonnet, and then come to me
again. / was half afraid of her. She
was not drunk, with those clear eyes
shining so brightly, but her mind ac-
tually savored Of insanity. However, |
was helpless, and then-Harry would
come as early as he could, and | could
endure to wait.
"Tell me your nameu said, as she
came in with the stride and stop.
"My name is Mary" she said, in
tone so deep that it seemed to come from
the very toes of her CATERS.
"Well, Mary, first put the room in
order before the doctor cOmeS.O
Oh, if words could only picture that
scene Fancy this tall, large, ugly wo-
man, armed (I use the word in its full
sense) with buster charging at the fur
niture as if she were stabbing her NOR
tai enemy to the heart. She struck the
comb into the brush as if she were say
ing, "Die, traitor!' and piled up the
books as if they were fagots for a funeral
flame. She gave the curtains a sweep
with her hand, as if she were putting
back tapestry for royal procession, and
dashed the chairs down in their places
like a magnificent bandid spurning a
tyrant in his power.
But when she came to the invalid she
was gentle, almost caressing in her man
ner, propping me up comfortably, max
ing the bed at once easy and handsome,
and stroking my hair and dress with a
perfect perception of my sore condition
And when she dashed out of the room,
/ forgave the air with which she turned
and presented tray to me, for the sake
of its contents. Such delicious tea and
toast, and such perfection of poached
eggs were an apology for any eccen-
tricity of manner. L was thinking CRATE
fully of my own comfort and watching
her hang up my clothes in the closet in
her own style, when the door-bell rang.
Like tightening she closed the closet
door, caught up the tray, and rushed
down stairs. From my open door
could hear the following conversation,
which must say rather astonished me,
already prepared for 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 one dozen tragedies, my
extraordinary servant Replied
"What man art thOu?"
SIS the woman crazy ?" cried the Doc.
tor.
"Lay not that fiattering JUNCTION to
your soul !" cried Mary.
musingly, then in his own CHEEKY, brisk
tones he added, "You are the new ser.
want, l suppose?'
'Sir, will serve my mistress until
chill death shall part US from each
other.n
Him. Well, now,, in plain English
60 tell her lam here"
II go, and it is done" was the reply
and with the slow stride and halt
soon at my door. Madam, the Doctor
waits! % she said, standing with one arm
out in a grand attitude.
"Let him come up" / said, choking
with laughter. She went down again.
'Sir, from my mistress l have lately
come to bid you welcome and implort
you to ascend. She waits within yoI
chamber for your coming"
Is it to be wondered at that the docto
found his patient in perfect convulsion
oflaughter, or that he joined her in he
merriment.
Where did you find that treasure =
he asked
"Harry sent her from the office"
Stage-struck, evidently, though
where She picked up the fifth-cut actres
manner remains TO be seem"
The professional part of his visit over
the doctor stayed for chat. We wer
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, MADAME
saw the DOCTORS eyes twinkle, blu
he began to write in his memorandum
book with intense gravity.
swell, Mary" l said, "he is not wait
ing?"
"The dinner waits" she replied
"Shall l prepare the viands as my owl
Judgment direct, or will your inclina
ton dictate to me"'
Cook them as you will, but have
good dinner for Mr.. Harvey at tw
O'clock"
"Between the strokes twill wait hi
appetite" And with another sweepin
courtesy, she left the room, the door, q