The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1871-08-10
I" Askers.v

M Askers.v
A writer tells this odd story Of life
ia London "A lady residing in the
Wsst Eud, and not far from Portland
place. had servant 10 whom she took
considerable interest, and partly be-
cause she had received faithful ser
vice from her. Tbi, domestic, as the
manner Of domestics now Is generally
by stipulation and contract,) had a
follower named John Armstrong. To
all appearance he was q respectable
man, and perfectly unotjectionabl,
10 every particular. So confident
was she Of his excellent character,
from his appearance, that the girls
mistress allowed bis visits without the
slightest hesitation, and took an in-
terest in the girls welfare--beipg anx.
ious, as she expressed it, to see her
comfortably settled. Judging from
the exterior, he was q clerk 10 some
bank. or cashier to some private firm.
10 due time the marriage came OF,
and the couple left town for their
humble honeymoon Of q week. toward
the expenses of which the brides ex.
mistress contributed generous amount
besides exeriiog to sec that tho little
home in lexington was neatly furnish
ed and ready to receive tho happy
pair whom they returned to town.
Some few days after this latter even,
the lady called upon her domestic, and
found her comfortably settled and ap-
parcntly as happy rs a queen. The
following colloquy took place between
them on the occasion
Mistrcss-Mary, have often won-
jered what business your husband is
in; what is he
Maid-He's an asker ma'am.
Mistrcss-A what, Mary?
Maid-Oh. he asks, ms'am.
Mistrcss-Yes, | suppose he does, il
he's an asker" But what does it
mean!
The young bride colorcd and for some
reason declined to answer the question,
but on being pressed she confessed
that her husband was professional
beggar. He asked The lady wa:
perfectly thnnderstruck, MS may he i'm
agiucd, and with an exclamation ON the
deceit Of man in general, left tho house
with q determination never to return
She was previously euraged with her
self that her good nature had been i'm
posed upon at the expense Of her
judgement.
THIS was the modus oporaudi o
the "askor." as learned from his wife
who had grown so accustomed to the
peculiar profession Of her husband tha
she failed evidently to see its shorten
ings, the fact Of its placing them in ,
state Of independent comfort round
ing of many Of the corners it might
otherwise have possessed. Early il
the morning he lett his charming lit
tie residence 10 Isingtoo, and wendcd
his way to the classic precincts o
Shoroditch. A certain house in on,
ofthe crowded streets Of hat locality wal
his rendezvous, and that OF his sin
galar tribe Here they chauge'
their clothing and sailed on tbci
begging aud beggarly calling Lst'
at night they returned, changed thei
clothes again, repaired to their home
where they lived-and in fact do liv'
now--in comparative luxury. Mr.
Armstrong, ! understand. clears one
hundred and fifty pounds year at bi
trade, which, as his wife says. is indu
bitably respectable /" Besides,.'sh
adds, $50 long as he gets his Twin.
honestly, what docs it matter to any
body p
The house of this celebrated coupl
is scroupulously neat and clean an
probably because John debars himsel
of certain comforts during the day,
Is stored with blessing for him at nigh
hs has solved the problem. how
live without working and indiscrimir
ato charity is enabling bin day b.
day TO live almost, if not quite, at h
ease.