The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1872-09-06

Cloth, dishes, and the homely tea
service, all shone with cleanliness and
the supper would have tempted an
epicure. Light, faky biscuit, AN ONE
let that was miracle of lightness,
some pork cooked in delicious sauce
of cream and other mysterious ingre-
dients, aud coffee whose aroma alone
was boquet TO the gentleman's nos.
trils. Presiding over all, the pleasant
face and neatly attired figure.
ELIZA declines to take second
place, Mr.. Wilson," she said; "but
will remain until you find another
girl"
In about week, Mr.. Wilson, SEN,
began to wonder how he had ever ex.
listed without his new housekeeper.
A young, CHEEKY girl was found to
take Eliza's place, and over the old
farmhouse settled home.like peace
that was the best medicine for the in
valid.
Doctor Hodges proved true
prophet. For many days after his
newphew returned to him, James
Wilson was very i'll, requiring patient
and tender nursing.
1t was Annie who made his bare
room coy and pleasant with Pretty
curtains, a strip of carpet here and
there, till he was well enough TO have
a whole one tackled on.
1t was Annie who brought him
tempting little dishes, just enough to
satisfy him. without exciting the dis.
gust that ELIAS coarse messcs did.
Annie read 10 him, chattcd with
him, got Herman TO buy backgam.
mon-board, and taught the invalid to
play.
Annie brought him little cheering
pieces of news-how the farm mat.
ters were improving, how Herman
was plowing here and sowing there
of the new barn arrangements that
would make the cattle healthier, and
rs she said, gayly lever so much hap.
pier" Never did freitul word fall
from the pretty mouth, never did q
frown cross the broad white brow.
Uncle James wondered if Herman
knew how pretty Annie could look
when she sat knitting or sewing and
telling him pleasant news in the after
noon, or when she ran up in the morn.
ings, from household duties, 10 bring
him little lunchcons or some strength.
ening drink ordered by the doctor
The great day came in three weeks,
when DIR. Hodges said his patien,
might go down stairs again.
ANNE, you're fairy. Where did
you find time for this z" he cried, as
Herman led him TO a wide. chintz.
covered arm. chair.
"Mr. Wilson helped me-" said An.
me, demurely, glancing with pardona.
BILE pride around the room she had
found so bare and chilly looking.
Now a neat carpet covered the
floor, and snowy curtains were drap.
ed from the clean, bright windows
Every inch of paint fairly shone All
the shabby old furniture wore a new
dress of gray chintz, and the table
had crimson cover that was in itself
Il furnishing of brightness. On the
mantel were vases of quaint old Chi
ca. long hidden in the corner of the
garret, now full of spring flowers -
aud by Uncle James chair, n little Ia.
BILE bore the backgammon board, some
new magazines aud papers, and a cup
of Annie's coffee.
When Uncle James first learned
the comforts Of a dressing-gown, in.
stead of worn-out coat, for house
wear, embroidered slippers for old
shoes cut down, and other little femi
nine contrivances, quite new TO his
bachelor experience, l cannot STOP
now to relate in detail. One by one
the comfort loving woman car
bring crept into the old farmhouse -
and, TO the amazement of the owner
the economy of the household more
than balanced the added expenses.
ELIZA never had anything but the
plainest of food, and she spent twice
as much as you do with your tempt
ing table"
ELIZA wasted and I save said An.
ME with smile. "She had not your
interest at heart. l was nearly fright
ened when Herman asked me to look
over the months accounts. So much
comfortl My room so neat and pret
ty, the new china, the kitchen uten
sils, and 80 many pretty things to pay
for And yet the income showed q
clear saving"
"a masters eye on the farm" said
/ Annie, modestly.
"And housekecper indoors" said
the old man, affectionately.
! 81 was brought up to make an in
valid's home pleasant" said Annie
quietly. "My mother was never very
strong, and depended upon me fol
such duties as / perform now, ever
when l was school girl. have not
had such care since she died, but j,
seems quite natural to resume il
again"
"Yonr mother is dead, then?"
II am an orphan. In the house ]
left when / came here, l shall scarce
ly be missed. My aunt, who took me
when my mother died has five daugh.
ters.
"Your aunt ?"
eyes. l smell something burning
Let me see it my pies are ruined ?'-
and Annie escaped for the time from
questions it was becoming difficult tc
answer.
| The old man sat musing long
time. 1t was not the first time 8
vague mistrust of Annie had crossed
his mind-a wonder why woman sc
gentle and refined, so evidently la
/ dy, was serving ina menial capacity