Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1874-10-09

door. which she opened and closed as eau
tiously as if it were the valve OF some pow
erful steam engine. Miss Laurella pom
dered on the deliberate system which
seemed to characterize the movements o
the Great Unknown.
&: It is very queer" she thought, " ant
vet there's something grand about it, too.
Meanwhile the factory girls gigged on
the Irish woman warmed her feet, and the
mother of the red-headed urchins admin
istered tweaked ears and peppermint drops
with laudable impartiality:
There was a general stir among then
when the wdoW came mincing out from
her audience in the presence chamber.
"Well, and what luck did yez have p
inquired the Celtic female, speaking boldly
< the question the others longed to ask, but
dared not.
This world is not governed by luck,
sourly answered the widow, COMPRISING
her lips; and l am thankful that my lot is
not cast in with one who objects to daily
services and cold dinners on Sunday
All me I don't know what our wicked
nation is coming to. My umbrella, please,
young man ~
So departed the widow in the odor OF
sanctity, and the mother Of the red-headed
boys was next ushered into the presence OF
the mysterious advertiser.
She had, however, been absent scarcely
a moment before she came boiling out, her
flounces rustling stiffiy, and her eyes blaz-
ing with wrath.
e A man who objects to two dear little
! boys as is like lambs about the he use, amt
no better than King Herod p she ex-
claimed. Come Adolphus and Algernon
come, my poo" little angels; We'll 60 where
we can be made welcome !"
"Ain't we goin' to live here, mar? ~ de-
manded the elder one whiningly.
No, my poppet; we wouldn't demean
ourselves to them as amt worthy OF our
notice. Come, darlings y And away went
! the boys at dog trot, with their mother
bristling after, ard scolding all the way to
the street door.
Miss Laurella's heart began to beat with
serious apprehension.
HES very hard to suit she thought.
&C | wonder if I shall please him.
Maybe you'd better so in next, said
the young man, looking rather obviously
at the two factory girls and the red-faced
daughter of Erin.
Miss Wintergreen rose up, giving her
dress shake, and instinctively feeling to
see if the scanty curls hung right, and fol-
lowed her guide into q handsome apart
ment, where Liverpool coal fire burned
on the marble hearth, and an array of
books proclaimed a literary taste on the
part of it's occupant. CHANGING timidly
up, she saw fine looking gentleman OF
about forty standing by the mantelpiece.
ssSit down, ma Jam, he saiti, motioning
her to chair; and then turning to his
servant, he asked in q whisper:
CHOW many more of them are there,
Patrick ~
"Only three of 'em, sir, barrin' this
one.''
ssThree more!'' he calculated, as if I'M
consciously. 81 shall go crazy I'll have
to get married in self-defence."
Il tould yer homer that was the best
way all along" said Patrick, giving tile
fire an energetic poke, as he withdrew.
sWell. ma am" said the gentleman,
turning abruptly to Miss Wintergreen. &
suppose yeu want just what the rest do
an easy place, and nothing to doH'
Miss Laurella, rather taken by surprise
at this unexpected speech, knew not what
to say, so she sensibly said nothing.
Are you good cook ?'' he asked.
Yes, sir. faltered our heroine.
"Understand the care of house?"
Eyes, sir.''
References 20
"The very best, sir,'' Miss Wintergreen
bridled here.
elbow much do you expect month -
elbow much do expect, sir -
Eyes; what have you been having?"
my means, sir, heretofore have been
limited, but"
/ s'BuJ that's not the question" he inter
rupted sharply. "What do you expect
from me 20
"As-as pin money, sir 2"
"No-as wages"
Miss Wintergreen dropped her eyelashes.
"Pray, sir, do not deem me so MERGE
nary!'
"Then what the deuce are you here
for ?" abruptly demanded her interlocutor
CT want housekeeper, and Pm willing to
pay her good wages, but l don't like all
this beating about the BUSH"
g Yes. sir but a wife,
"Whos talking about wife ~ he
shouted.
Are not you? Did not you advertise
for wife % breathlessly questioned Miss
Laurella.
"No, didn't Do [ look like candi-
date for Bedlam ?''
Miss Wintergreen fumbled family for
the memorandum book in her pocket.
Isn't this No. = Burch street? Didn't
YOU"
The gentleman snatched a newspaper
from the table and pointed to paragraph
in its columns.
"There is my advertisement. For a
hoassekeeper."
Anu MISS w luGclSlcoA odW W AC1 oio
may, that she had penciled down the
wrong address.
'sI'm sorry for your disappointment y
said the gentleman, with a grim smile,
''but you may stay and keep house for me
at sixteen dollars a month if you like
You look neat and tidy, and"
And with look of ineffable dsdain
Miss Wintergreen swept out of the room
A housekeeper at sixteen dollars month
To dare talk thus to her, who had dreamed
of orange blossoms and bridal white
Miss Wintergreen never answered anoth