The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1875-08-28
MY CURIOUS COMPANION.

"Wanted, by a young married lady, a
companion to reside with her during her
husbands absence in India. A liberal sal
airy will be given, with every home comfort,
to any one suitable. Apply, personally, if
possible, at No. 240 Upper Berkeley street,
W.
The foregoing advertisement was de-
spatchcd by me after considerable cogita-
ton, and l awaited the result of it with
some anxiety.
My husband, Major Conyers, had been
suddenly ordered to India; and having no
sister or any available cousin whom | could
invite to stay with me during his absence,
l thought companion was the best thing
with which could provide myself accord
ingly indited my small paragraph, which
l had the satisfaction of seeing placed in a
very conspicuous part of the paper on the
morning after l sent it. lived in London
consequently felt certain that the personal
interview would be easily managed; but l
had committed an error in not naming 9
particular hour, as, from eleven in the fore
noon until quite late in the day, the appli-
cations for personal interview with my
unfortunate self never ceased The first
arrival was very handsomely dressed lady
of about fifty, who came, evidently, quite
prepared to enter upon her duties at once,
and quite overpowered me with series of
questions and statements, without giving
me the faintest chance of making any in
quries myself. She had lived with Lady
This and the Honorable Mrs. That, and
one and all had treated her like sister
she felt certain that l should do the same
indeed, she quite knew me already. Home
comforts were exactly what she cared for;
as to salary, it was no object to her-a hun
dred year was all she asked, though dear
Lady Golding had said she was never to
take less than two.
81 am afraid" put in at this juncture,
"that even one hundred is beyond what
intend to give, and I live so quietly -
owe wont quarrel about salary" inter
rupted my would-be companion; "and as
to quietness, it is just what WANT
4 peal at the door-bell emboldened me to
still greater determination, so replied very
resoutely for me: 81 do not think we
would suit; am sorry you have had the
trouble of coming"
$50 am l." she rejoined dryly; "but
one ought not to trust to advertisements.
Hardly noticing my "good morning
she got up and 1lounced down stairs, evil
IDENTITY in great wrath at her rejection.
"Another lady to see you, ma am" an
nounced my parlor maid.
\ very quiet, sweet looking little person
came forward, and at the first glance |
fancied | had found a suitable companion.
But alas! her story was sad one, and
there were reasons which rendered it i'm
possible for me to avail myself of her So
ciety. She was married. Her husband
was hopeless invalid, and they were very
poor. She had not been educated highly
enough to be governess, and when she
saw my advertisement, she fancied if the
salary was good, she might be my COM
panion by day, and return at night to her
own home, which was at no great distance
| from my house. She looked so thin and SO
i'll, that l was almost tempted to make
| some arrangements with her, but as l in
tended leaving town occasionally, second
thoughts told me it was out of the ques-
ton. Besides, could not have borne to
think that while she was with me she
husband-whch, had I engaged her, would
most naturally have followed. l told her
so as kindly as possible, and, after making
her take glass of wine and some cake
which latter l saw her furtively convey to
her pocket, for her sick husband, sup
pose-she gave me her direction, and took
her departure. l afterward went to see
her, and her tale was sadly verified. But
to proceed.
My next visitor was a most pert damsel,
without any pretentions to being lady,
who informed me that her pa was dead,
and as there were so many of them at
home, her ma wanted her to do for herself.
l had not much difficulty in dismissing her.
And of. the legions that followed l cannot
attempt detailed description. By the
afternoon l was thoroughly exhausted and
had made up my mind to see no more,
when, just as it was getting dusk, my ser
want came up to the drawing room and in
formed me that such nice looking young
lady was in the dining room; quite the
incest that had been yet.
"Ask her to come up stairs, then, Ellis
but do not admit any one else," l replied,
and the next minute the drawing room
door was thrown open by Ellis, and Miss
Burke " announced.
She was dressed in mourning, and, even
in the dim light, was, could see, a pale
faced, rather handsome girl of apparently
about four-aud-twenty. Her hight was
over the average, but seemed greater from
her extreme thinness, which struck me as
most startling.
"Good evening"" she said, in a low and
rather pleasant voice. 81 am afraid l am
very late; it was so kind of you to see me. :"
at is late," assented, "but that does
not matter"
"Thank you,' responded my visitor
81 came about your advertisements saw
you wanted a companion, and am anxious
to get a situation of that kind
81 have had so many applicants to-day"
l answered. for want of something better
to say.
"Ah! I can quite fancy it," returned
Miss Burke. 81 fear l am too late.''
"Nc," l replied; 81 have seen no one
yet to suit me.'
eff you would only try me, l should do
my utmost to please you," she said almost
pleadingly. 81 have already been COM
panion, and l can give you references
which may induce you to think of me-"
and Miss Burke opened small black velvet
bag, which, until then, had not perceived,
and placed in my hands monogrammed
and coroneted epistle, addressed to her.
self, purporting to come from a Lady Mon
tacute, whose companion she had been for