Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1873-02-06

games OF an equally douDtlul NATURE.
Mrs. Ford, after her qualification at her
lords departure had somewhat subsidized, be-
gan to repent of having given him such a
large sum, and to think that perhaps half
or three.fourths of the amount would have
satisfied him just as we'll.
She thought and thought over the matter
until the qualification gave place entirely te
repentance. Her parsimonious nature REBEL
ed strongly against the unwonted liberality
which she had been compelled by the force Of
circumstances to exercise.
Il have been great fool" she reflected
"and Leroy won't make it last any longer
than if it had been only fifty. I must dc
something to replace what have wasted with
such shameful disregard to prudence and
common sense"
That evening she held an interview with
Stanley, and coolly informed him that if he
desired to retain her in his service he must
raise her salary.
"Raise your salary" said Stanley, surprised
"why, I consider it most liberal one.
"Maybe it is," rejoined the housekeeper
"but it isn't liberal enough to pay me for all
l have to 60 through with. The life I lead
here is real slavery"
"You knew what it was when you under
took it," rejoined Stanley, "and said then you
were willing to do it for that"
"Well, find out that can't; it's the hard,
est work I ever had to do. If you were in
my place, Mr.. Stanley, you would soon see
the truth of what I say. However, Of course
if you can't afford to give more, the matter is
easily settled, as far as I am concerned; lean
get another place, and no doubt you can find
some one to take mine"
"Nonsense," said Stanley, frowning. "You
know what urgent reasonsI have for desiring
to keep you, and it is shameful in you to talk
of leaving, after all the promises you made. ."
"Promises !' echoed the woman; 81 don't
recollect any promises, Mr. Stanley, except to
perform what was to be paid for, straight
down, in good money. wouldn't have un-
dertaken the task for love, I can tell you. 1t
isn't a very easy matter, or a very pleasant
one, to have the sole charge of a -"
"Hush!'' whispered Stanley, with an appre-
hensive glance around. "What is it you wish
me to do Only speak cautiously for Heavens
sake; we don't know who may bein hearing
A malicious smile crossed Mrs. Ford's face
she knew that she had him in her power, and
exercised it over him with an unsparing
hand.
II would have you double my wages, Mr.
Stanley" she replied, quietly folding her arms
with a resolute air as she spoke. "That's
what would have you do. If you agree to
that, suppose I can make up my mind to
stay"
double them-nonsense !" said Stanley in
an angry tone. "You are too exorbitant in
your demands. I cannot afford to do it; and
besides, the idea is preposterous."
The woman shrugged her shoulders. "Pre'
posterous or not" she returned, II mean what
1 say, and I intend to abide by it. I can't
afford to stay for less, and that's the long and
the short of it."
Stanley bit his lips, and considered for a
moment with frown on his face.
"Say fifty month more," he said at length,
"and I'll give it to you"
"Won't do" said the house-keeper, shaking
her head. "a hundred more, or none"
"You'll make your fortune out of me, at
this rate" said Stanley with forced laugh.
"Its worth fortune to have some things
kept close" said Mrs. Ford, with slight
nod of her head. "Don't you think so, Mr..
Stanley?
Instead Of answering, he commenced pacing
up and down the room, his arms crossed on
his breast, deep cloud on his brow. His
tormentor watched him with an unmoved face,
and without pity for his evident sufferings.
She felt sure he would agree to her demand,
and waited patiently for him to come to the
desired terms.
At last he stopped before her, and looked
full in her face.
"Do you mean to say" he asked, "that if I
refuse to give you the sum you demand, you
will be such fool as to quit my service"
"Fool !" she echoed, with an assumption of
anger. "Don't forget that you are a gentle
man, Mr.. Stanley" (this with a slight sneer y
II won't have you call me names"
"Oh don't let us have any humbug, Mrs.
Ford" said Stanley. "We don't need to stand
on any particular ceremony with each other,
you know; we know each other too we'll for
that. If you consider the matter we'll, you
will see that you suould be fool to leave
here, where you have comfortable home, and
salary, the fourth of which you would not
get elsewhere"
"No, Mr.. Stanley, I wouldn't get the fourth
of it elsewhere, because other folks wouldn't
have cause to pay ME for keeping such val
liable secret. And another thing, Mr.. Stan
ley, that must be considered, is that this occu-
patton of mine involves great stretch of
principle-a great stretch, sir, under the cir
cumstances. Why, I feel sometimes as if l
was compromising my respectability; 1 do, in
deed. You need not sneer at me, sir" said
Mrs, Ford, with a lofty air, "for l mean every
word 1 say. And consider that this sacri-
flee of my peace of mind alone, without re-
gard to the trouble I have, is worth every
dollar of what 1 ask. At any rate, it is GER
tain that 1 can't stay unless you agree to my
terms; my mind is quite made up on that
point, and I am not going to change it. If
YOU choose to run the risk of letting me Co.,
G.. tho colo of q naltru hundred which Ynll