The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1872-05-09


voice was still more pleasant to hear
She was neatly dressed as became her
station and before she took off hat or
cloak, she had made the room seem like
another place.
Uncle james wondered how few
| light touches here and there, q gentle
little stir of the dull fire, dropping of
the curtains, little twitch of the table
cloth, could do so much.
"This is the living-room, suppose"
she said, presently. "T think l shall
ask for an hour or two alone here to-
morrow"
"Just as you please"
"Will you see Eliza now." Herman
asked.
"Yes. Is she in the kitchen y
al have told Annie" Herman said,
"to keep Eliza, if she will be reasonable,
and submit to her.
/" Two girls, Herman Z"
Annie is to be our housekoeper,
uncle and Eliza is to do the rough
work. l must be out of the house
great deal, if we are ever to get affairs
straightened, and spring is opening
very fast. Annie is to make you her
special charge"
Arrange it us you will, Herman. 1
feel very faint and sick tonight. My
dinner was quite uneatable."
Annie will see to supper. l will
| give her hint"
Surely, Uncle James thought, Her
man had made most judicious selec-
ton of Il girl. The table was set as he
had never seen it before. Cloth, dishes
and the homely tea-service all shone
with cleanliness and the supper would
have tempted an epicure. Light, haky
buiscuit, an omelet that was a miracle
OF lightness, some pork cooked in a
most delicious sauce OF cream and other
mysterious ingredients and coffee whose
aroma alone was bouquet to the gen.
tlemen's nostrils. Presiding over all,
the pleasant face and neatly attired
figure.
ELIZA declines to take a second place,
Mr.. Wilson," she said ; "but will re-
main until you find aaother girl"
In about week, Mr.. Wilson, senior,
began to wonder how he had ever ex-
listed without his new housekeeper. y
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 invalid.
Doctor Hodges proved true prophet.
For many days after his nephew re-
turned to him, James Wilson was very
i'll, requiring patient and tender nursing.
1t was Annie who made his bare room
cozy and pleasant with pretty curtains a
strip of carpet here and there, till he
was well enough to have whole one
tackled on. 1t was Annie who brought
him tempting little dishes, Just enough
to satisfy him, without exciting the dis
gust that Eliza's coarse messes did.
Annie read to him, chatted with him,
got Herman to buy backgammon
board, and taught the invalid to play.
Annie brought him little cheering
were improving, how Herman was plow-
ing here and sowing there of the new
barn arrangements that would make
the cattle healthier, and, as she said,
gayly, "ever so much happier" Never
did II fretful word fall from the pretty
mouth, never did a 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, to bring
him little luncheons or some strengthen
ing drink ordered by the doctor.
The great day came in three weeks,
when Doctor Hodges said his patient
might go downstairs again.
Annie you are fairy. Where did
you fine time for this - he cried, as
Herman tenderly led him to wide,
chintz-covered armchair.
"Mr. Wilson helped me-" said Annie,
demurely, glancing with pardonable
pride around the room she had found so
bare and chilly-looking.
Now, neat carpet covered the floor,
and snowy curtains were draped from
the clean, bright windows. Every inch
of paint fairly shone. All the shabby
old furniture wore a new dress of gay
chintz, and the table had a crimson COW
er that was in itself furnishing of
brightness. On the mantle were vases
of quaint old china, long hidden in
corner of the garret, now full of spring
flowers; and by Uncle James's chair,
little table bore the backgammon-board,
some new magazines and papers, and
cup OF AnnIeS coffee.
When Uncle James first learned the
comforts of a dressing gown, instead of
worn-out coat, for house wear, en-
broidered slippers for old shoes cut
down, and other little feminine contriv-
ances quite new to his bachelor expert
ence, 1 cannot stop to relate in detail.
One by one the comforts u loving woman
can bring crept into the old farmhouse;
and, to the amazement of the owner,
the economy of the househould 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 our tempting
table"
Eliza wasted, and save" said An
ME, with a smile. "She had not your
interest at heart"
II was nearly frightened when Her.
man asked me to looi; over the months |
account. So much comfort My room
so neat and pretty, the new china, the
kitchen utensils, and so many pretty |
things to pay for. And yet the income |
showed clear saving"
"A masters eye on the farm" said |
Annie, modestly.
"And a housekeeper indoors" said |
the old man, affectionately.
Il was brought up to make an in
valid's home pleasant" said Annie,
quietly. my mother was never very |
strong, and depended upon me for such |
duties aS / narforn, now avan whom I |