The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-03-20
sHe's a Asker. Ma'am' What Is 1t

n writer III CdSSeHS magazine tellS LnlS
odd story of life in London:
A lady residing in the West-end, not far
from Portland Place, had servant in whom
she took considerable interest, partly be.
cause Of her sympathetic nature. and partly
because she had received faithful service
from her. This domestic, as the manner Of
domestics now is generally by stipulation
and contract), had follower, name John
Armstrong. To all appearance he was q
respectable man, and perfectly unobjection-
able in every particular. So confident was
she of his excellent character. from his ap-
pearance, that the girls mistress al
lowed his visits without the slightest hcS-
tation, and took an interest i'll the girls
welfare, being anxious, rs she expressed it,
to see her comfortably settled. Judging
from the exterior, he was Il clerk IN some
bank or cashier to private firm. In due
time the marriage came OFT, and the couple
left town for their humble honeymoon of q
week, toward the expenses of which the
brides ex-mistreSS contributed Il generous
amount, besides eXerting herself to see that
the little home in Islington was neatly fur
nished and ready to receive the "happy
pair" when they returned to town. Some
few days after this latter event the lady
called upon her late domestic, and found
her comfortably settled, and apparently as
happy as queen. The following curious
colloquy took place between them on the
occasion:
Mistress: Mary, l have often wondered
what your husband is in business what is
he?
Maid He'sa asker, ma'am.
Mistress: a what, Mary:
Maid: Oh, he asks, ma am.
Mistress: Yes, | suppose he does. if he; :,
an ''aSkcr;" but what does it mean?
The young bride colored, and for so me
time declined to answer the question; but
on being pressed, she confessed that her
husband was professional beggar! sIIe
asked" The lady was perfectly thunder
struck, us may be imagined, and with I'm
exclamation on the deceit of man in gen
cral, left the house with determination
never to return. She was grievouSly en-
ragged with herself that her good nature
had been imposed upon at the expenS~. ot,
her judgment. 8 VI
This was the moduS opero- >. .1o
ASKER as learned from dda Oh .hc
had grown so accustome' dis VIE, wno
profession of her hue II TO the pet auiI"],
evidently to see if -pand that she latietl
OF its placing t. q, shortcomings Tue iac'
cnt comfort lem in state OF lndepcnu-
ners it rounding of many OF the cor
Early might otherwise have possessed.
~ Ill INC IllOl Nv NV 80" ,
lie residence in Islington, and wendell
his way to the classic precincts OF shore.
ditch. A certain house in , one OF inc In:
crowded streets of that locality was ms
rendezvous, and that Of his singular
tribe. Here they changed their cloth
ing and sailed forth on 1o their III i Rfg thnS
returned, changed their clothing again. and
repaired to their homes, where they lived
and in fact do live now-in comparative
luxury. Mr.. Armstrong, understand,
clears .e15O a year at his trade, which, a:
his wife says, is Individually ''respectable.'
Besides she adds, $50 long as he gets
Lis living honestly, what does it matter te
he house of this excellent couple i:
scrunlously neat and clean; and probably
hecans John debars himself of certain com
tortS nthe day it is stored with blessings
for hlmt night. He has solved the prob
lem, hoMo live without working, and in
dlSc5lln,nsng charity is enabling him day
py Gay 10 We almost, il not quite, at his
ease.