Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1875-01-02
MR.. DAYTON's HOUsEKEEPER.

"s DAA AAONS - hOtOEhEEfEh.
Wanted.-A housekeeper. No one
but an elderly person, competent, and
OF the highest respectability, need
B apply. Call between the hours of three
and four, Thursday, April sixth, at No
- Michigan avenue"
Kate Franklin read this in the paper
which lay on the counter in the little
grocery, while waiting to have an ounce
or two of tea done up, and roll of
bakers bread.
She repeated the number of the house
over to herself, ,as she received the change
from the grocer
She prepared the tea after she return
ed to the little bare attic, and ate her
scanty meal mechanically. She forgot
how unsatistied her appetite still was, in
her busy thought.
A stranger in strange place, success
sively she had tried to find a situation
as teacher, copyist, in a store, sewing.
She had failed in the first three, and was
starving on the last -.
She would apply for that place, but
she would need references. Only one
person she knew, in the whole great
city, of sufficient infuence-Mrs. Day
enport, the rich, naughty step-sister
who had ill-treated her gentle mother
while she lived, and had hated Kate her
self
Perhaps, Kate thought, she would
permit her to refer to her, because glad
to have her descend to menial employ
ment.
Kate WAS competent for the situation,
for during her mothers long illness, and
her fathers absence, she had entire
charge of their large family and splen-
did house.
But an "elderly woman" Now Kate
was not an elderly woman, being only
twenty; but she remembered. with a sort
OF pleasure, that in private theatricals
In happier days, she had initiated the
voice, and assumed the character of an
old woman with great success. She
Knew how to stain the skin to give an
old and wrinllled appearance, and she
had, in the bottom of a box. some false
gray hair and muslin cap worn on one
OF these occasions She did not need
to look so very old-only to present a
mature and matronly appearance.
Mr.. Edward Dayton waited at home
after his dinner to see the respondents
to his advertisement. He was hand
some man, not yet thirty, with a gay,
frank, good-natured countenance.
lie leaned back in nonchalant way,
with his feet on another chair.
" There ought to be a Mrs. Dayton to
manage these housekeeper matters. Well,
there's time enough"
Two applicants were seen and dis
missed in Mr.. Dayton's gentlemanly
way.
A third was ushered in. Mr.. DAYTON
instinctively laid aside his cigar, and
placed chair for his visitor.
The lady-ikeness and propriety of her
manner pleased him at once. "Fallen
fortunes" he commented to himself
She answered his questions readily,
but in few words.
"a silent women-a good thing" was
his inward remark.
"I think you will suit me. Mrs.
what may l understand your name2"
Franklin. "
" Mrs Franklin, you will be required
to go out Of town, about seven miles, to
my country house, Oak Grove-in the
town of Embury, on the Grand Central
railroad. The salary propose to pay is
six hundred dollars per annum Do my
terms suit you2"
She answered, quietly, that they did.
" Then it is all settled. BY the way, l
suppose you have references, though
that is mere matter of form"
The name of Davenport was given.
Davenport 2 Robert Dave nport 2
know them. All right. If convenient,
you will please go tomorrow, Mrs.
Franklin, or the next day. L shall not
come till the middle of next week, and
probably bring friend or two with
me. Have the chambers in the center
and wings prepared, if you please. The
housekeeper there now will not leave
until Saturday. She will show you
round"
Is Mrs. -, is your wife there, OIL
to go soon 2"
He laughed.
Mrs. Edward Dayton No, she is
not there, and do not know of her going
at present" Adding more seriously, 81
have not the pleasure, Mrs. Franklin, o.
having wife, with slight stress OF
pleasure.
A vivid color came into the BROW
cheek Of the housekeeper, and her man