Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-02-01
A CONFIDENTIAL HOUSEKEEPER.

Irepeat again, and to myself, Mrs. George Is
an admirable house-keeper, and a very supe-
TiOT woman. Her eyes are sparkling and pene-
trating; her hair riPples and waves like that of
child. ! am-ahem!-most charmed with
Mis- George. Not only are the eyes Of Mrs.
George extremely penetra tive, but her cOncep-
UOn Of character is some thing marvellous. i
confess j was astOnished when she laid before
me the delinquences Of my two old servants.
Starkey and Tom had lived with me fourteen
years, bat upon the advent Of this admirable
woman ! suddenly learned that was being
ylncked that half nv meats were taken off to
poOT relations, that the cat was not answersble
fcr my butchers inflated bills, and that the dog
had lived very comfortably on table leavings
since then. IL is very plain that Mrs. George Is
frank way OF speaking about the furniture.
"A gentleman's house in your position, and
Ct your aIpearance"-yes, she was pleased to
say, of your GPpearanc.-'.should not be shah
billy furnished, sir. Not that care. For M
self. plain three-ply and walnut, or even chest
but, but for these delightful rooms; Turkey,
SIR. with brilliant colOrs. and set, sir, in satin
and gilt"
Well, of course, i had the parlors thoroughly
Tefurnishsd, and laid n neat new Brussels III
brs- Georges own room. To see that lovely
woman's gratitude! il was beautiful
Thus was 1 sOliloquizng early one morning
over my eggs and toast, when Mrs George came
rildhng IN with the airy grace OF a sylph in my
lfe, but L am sure that is the proper thing 10
sEy,
Z" Really, Mrs. George began.
Now, don't scold me. dear sir. You see,
Knew nv duty'-with that smile that touches
lindles the melting snow. "Your eggs are
done rs you like them, trust. L always see to
such things myself" And as she sat down and
placed her slender hand on the spOtless table
cloth, l could not tell which was the whitest.,
/" The eggs are simply perfect, Mrs. George,
va. my reply; "and i never tasted better
tread
IL always have nv eve on Betty when she is
making bread, Mr. HAYNES. So much depends
Up0n these humble culinary efforts. Alas,-''
and she sighed softly-'.we live in degenerate
DAYS, sir; when women seek their pleasures out
side OF the sacred portals of home. have
never allowed myself, sir, To be distracted from
Nv legitimate pursuits-'
II believe YOU. Mrs. George, :" said warmly.
and diamond solitaire giittered before my
mental vision, or perhaps should say, senti-
mt ntai vision, but hOw was "A man to hold out
hong against the charms of 50 nobly planned a
woman, with taper fingers and gentle, DOWN
east eyes. and such blessed notions Of the beauty
Of domestic life?
81 trust your breakfast pleased you, STRIP
:" Upon my word, Mrs. George said, her
bewildering eyes smiling into mine, II never
vas so charmed in my life"
She blushed. What had / said to bring that
exquisite dye upon her cheek? grew fright
tned, and backed away from the table, pulling
CH nv gloves.
. How soon do you go. SIR" she asked, rising,
that relieved the dead black of her dress.
- And as You are to be gone all day-am
correct, Mr. Haynes"
AS you are to be gone all day, and as / in
variably see to such things myself, would you
!eave the key of the safe with me? The silver
has long been in need OF securing. and you
really should not be SO extravagent as to send it
10 a silyersmith's for that purpose, as most gen.
tlemen do. l have q wonderful powder-my
dear old mother gave me the receipt; for. in
deed, SRA lpiaintive tenderness gliding into
her pathetic tones-..we have had silver In our
family; my mother was a Hancock"
She paused, my glance, trust, was full OF
"Yes, sir, q Hancock. But reverses, sir, sad
rcveIses, swept everything away, !" with stately
81 neT mSn snS maRe
nv fortune with it. DO you think you had bet
ter leave the key, or" drawing her fne figure
Up, twill YOU take the silver"
Mrs George, beg-Here are the keys, Mrs.
George.
There were ten thousand dollars In that safe,
ard detached the key Of the money -drawer
Plate morrow" she said; with pretty laugh
. sind,-
Thump went my heart,
"you will be home-when? Railways prefer
20 have an explicit understanding, 80 that
everything may be in readiness.
Tomorrow at twelve, Mrs. George" was
nv reply. wondering how il would seem to kiss
pair OF lips just as dewy and pouting a. hers:
and then I tore myself from the temptation,
shook hands with Mrs. George, and left the
house
.Sraws show which way the wind blows
says the old adage. IL Is my opinion that hats
OCCASIONALLY do that little favor for mankind.
1t least mine took the liberty 70 do 50 that
morning.
l had now ten minutes in which to reach the
B station. The depot was only few
squares distant, and was walking as comfort
ably as i could, bracing myself against the
corner. something wa. lifted from my head:
Nv first impulse was TO look round To zee II
anybody was laughing always laugh myself
AZ flying hat-and then 1 betook myself To
sport. The hat only ambled; I was sure To
catch IT, IL lodged against q gas-post; my ha nj
vas almost ON it, when the twin to that other
gust came racing along, and. on went my hat
IL Was very early, and there were but few peO-
pie abroad. 1 heard now and then q faint
laugh; a scurvy little urchin sang out, ss Go it,
hoOts:" a Hibernian maid carrying a large par
Gel in small paper, cried, % Shure the hath
leading that man a chase!" but on
/ went. breathless, chagrined and mad
Ipoak street, down Green, across Maple, aud
through Cherry that COMPOUNDED h at led me;
Row doubling and futtering almost under my
nosei now grating with exuitant motion, thai
Cumbly expressed the jubilee Of uncomfortable
!olity; now whTling into somebody's garden;
now whi.king around a BARRIERS pole; now
tobbing along the edge Of a fence, till at last
at East-I bad it.
Death could not grip harder then held ON "a
that cratic brim- IL was, felt, a hat gifted
with extraordinary powers Of locomotion, and
Gid not mean to let it have its own sweet will
again.
1puIled out my watch with one hand, hold
ing still To my hat with the other. IL wanted
one minute 20 seven, and the brain was ave
blocks OF. Hoping against hope, set OF on {
run, and at the corner OF the third block had
the supreme satisfaction of hearing the tina
whistle, and the swift thud and thunder or the
departing train. 80
was baked, and gave my hat savage pull
ss 4 stopped 20 consider what had best be done
anathematized hats Of every sort from the or
ihodox stove,piPe to the Quaker broad-brim
as a pancake, aud then finished il with INV mem
knife would have been balm to my aggrsvsted
soul. 49,
Turning my steps in the direction of INV
orfee, walked moodily on, n disappointmea
nan. Instead Of the holiday which had =
fondly anticipated, the merry greeting o.
friends the sight Of old, long banished faces.
was still bound TO the perplexities Of an inter,
r.if able law case.
IL would be as well. perhaps, to attend "a
business, thought, with rueful visage; and
prepared 70 resign myself with the best gracs
IoSeible-
My one was nearly two miles from my house
After leisnrely walk sErived there just y
the clock struck eight. I'D went, scattering
straws and papers, til 7 szinsd the cherries