South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1868-04-03


most obedient.'
Your are - / said, questionably.
Your humble servant
This was not getting on a bit; so / said:
you are the girl Mr. Harvey sent from
the intelligence Office =
Il am that woman, said she with -four
ishing of her shawl; 'ani here is my certi-
ficate of merit, and she took a paper from
her pocket Advancing with step, stop,
another step, and stop, until she reached
my side, she handed me the paper with
low bow, and then stepping back three
steps, she stood waiting for me to read it
with her hands clasped and dropping, and
her head bent as lift were her death warrant.
1t was written, properly wordcd note
from her former mistress, certifying that
she was honest and capable, and | had re-
ally 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 a
fraid of her. She was not drunk, with those
clear black eyes shining so brightly, but
her manner actually savored of insanity -
However, was helpless, and then Harry
would come us early as he could, and /
could endure to wait
Tell me your name, / 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 We
ry toes of her CATERS.
Well, Mary, first put the room in order
before the doctor comes
Oh, 1t words could only picture that
scene Fancy this tall, large, ugly woman,
armed Il used the word in its full sensc)
with buster charging at the furniture as
if she were stabbing her mortal enemy to
the heart. She stuck the comb in the brush
as if she were saying The traitor and
piled up the books as if they were fagots
for funeral flame. She eavo the curtain
a sweep with her hand, as if she were put
ting best tapestry for royal procession, and
dashed the chairs down in their places like
a magnificent bandit spurning tyrant in
his power.
But when she came to the invalid she
was gentle, almost carcssing in her manner,
propping me up comfortably, making the
bed at once easy and handsome, and strOk-
ing my hair and dress with perfect per-
ception of my sore condition. And when
she dashed ont of the room, forgavc the
| air with which she returned aud presented
Such. delicious tea and toast, and such per-
lection of poachei eggs, was an apology for
any eccentricity of manner. l was think
ing gratefully ofmy 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 must say rather as
tonished even me, already prepared for any
eccentricity
DR.. Holbrook wasmy visitor, and ofcourse
his first question was
'llow is Mrs. Harvey this morning ?"
! la voice that was the concentrated es-
sence of about one dozen tragedies, my ex
traordinary servant replied
What man art thou p
is the woman crazy ? cried the doctor.
Lay not that flatteriug JUNCTION to your
soul cried Mary.
Then in his own CHEEKY, brisk tones he add
ed y GU are the new servant, ! suppose 2
Sir, will serve my mistress till chill
death shall part us from each other
HIM. Well, now, in plain English, 90
/ tell her am here
Il 60, 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 " she
said, standing with one arm out in grand
attitude.
Let him come up, | said, choking with
laughter. She went down again.
] Sir from my ruiefraes 1 hava i.t.l,. 20
bid you welcome, and imploro you to as
cend. 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 hc joined her in her MGR
riment
Where did you find that treasure Z? lie
asked
/ Harry sent her from the Office.
'Stagc-struck, evidently, though where
she picked up the flth-cut actress manner
remains to be seem
/ The professional part Of his visit over,
I the Doctor stayed for n chat We were
warmly discussing the news of the day,
when whew the door floor open, and IN
stalked Mary, and announced, with a swing
of her arm.
The butcher, madam
I i saw the Doctors eyes twinkle, but he
/ began to write in his memorandum book
with intense gravity.
Well, Mary | said, 'he is not waiting 2
/ The dinner waits, she replied Shall
prepare the viands as my own judgment
shall direct, or will your inclination dictate
I 10 me p