Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1870-07-09
MISCELLANEOUS. -.
In Disguise;
Mr.. Marshell's Housekeeper.

Middle aged and respectable, soIloqulzed
Annie Bronson, letting the letter fall listIcssly
on her lap, as she finished reading the follow
ing advertisement in the morning paper:
WANTED-A middle-aged. respectable wo-
man, to go into the country as hOuse-keepcr.
Apply from u to at No. -, AstOr House" D."
Always those two indispensibles middle
aged,-" and she went into fit of musing.
" Here have been for six months" she said
sadly, " looking for some honest employment
to keep body and soul together. Ny money is
nearly gone-aud I will never return to my
relatives, if starve!' Her eyes flashed, and
she arose hastily and walked the room. "I
shall never forgive their conduct to poor Harry,
she went on musingy, "and now he's beer
dead six months, and | am nearly desti-
tute" She sat down again. Now, i'll could
only take this housekeeper's place-l'm sure
could fIl it, thanks to Aunt James train
ing middle-aged.'
q wonder" she began, after long silence,
"if widows cap and a pair of spectacles
wouldn't make me look old; I'm sure feel old
enough" Another fit of muSing. Il mean
to try it, If | can make myself look old
enough without any positive disguise, | really
believe I'll try for that place" Her busy fin
gers were soon at work on some muslin and
lace and when the article was finished, she
took her luxurient hair down, twisted it up in
as unobtrusive knot as possible for such a
quantity, and donned the cap, before the glass.
A burst of merry laughter followed. "Well,
it does add ten years to my face, and pair of
glasses will finish the matter. III try" She
tAen went to work to review her wardrobe, and
soon selected sober gray dress, carefully re-
moving all ornaments from it. Long before
twelve she was fully arrayed, and demurc
enough she looked, in her gray dress and white
collar, with not so much rs q rutlie or bit of
lace visible; and her widows cap, green spec
tacles, and black mits, to hide the delcacy and
youth of her hands, completed the transforma-
ton, and when she presented herself before the
eyes of the advertiser, no one would have
thought her other than she seemed-a matran-
ly maiden Of about forty.
Mr.. Marshall, after dismissing several disa-
greeable asprants for the Office of housekeeper,
was delighted to see one who did not threaten
to give him the nightmare, SO he angaged her
at once. She rushed home with only his last
words in her mind " | shall leave at six be
sure to be at the cars"
Annie dared not to allow herself time for re-
flection on the step she had taken. She felt
glad to be at rest, and the prospect Of home
was too tempting to the homeless for her to in
quire too closely how it was obtained. She
hastily packed her trunk, and at six met Mr..
Marshall at the cars. "When get where his
wife is" was her thought, chatting under her
deceit, will confess and throw myself on
his mercy. He seems so gentlemanly, know
that his wife must be lady"
When they reached Mr.. Marshall's house,
a fine old mansion few miles from New York,
he delivered dhishousekeeper into the hands ofthe
old one, who only awaited her arrival to resign
her keys and set up housekeeping for herself
She introduced Annie to her rooms-two plea
SAINT ones overlooking the flower garden-and
remained to chat with her as she took her tea.
"I5 Mrs. Marshall an invalid ?" Annie
asked, by way Of conversation.
Mrs. Marshall Why, Mr.. Marshall is a
bachelor p
The tea cup dropped from her hand. "A
bachelor ?"
Didn't you know that?7 said the house
keeper, eyeing her sharply: well, you are a
green one"
Yes, this is my first place Annie said
meekly, regaining her self-command-" for
got to ask about the family"
Well, I can tell you, Mrs. Bronson, you
have got into good place, by accident, it
seems. Mr.. Marshall is gentleman, but one
of those called woman hater think be
had some trouble in his early life-at any rate,
he never speaks to one if he can help it; but
in his household he is perfect gentleman"
Much to the relief of her listener, the house
keeper was here called away.
Annie was aghast an old bachelor-not so