Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1875-10-14

"Oh, yes, l know" faltered poor Flea
nor, who, between her distaste for the
proposed plan and her anxiety not to of:
fend Uncle Barnabas Berkelin, didn't
quite know what to say. "But 1--we
always been educated to be lady"
So you won't take the situation, Ell ?''
said Uncle Barnabas, staring up at a
wishy washy little water-color drawing of
Cupid and Psyche, an exhibition piece"
OF poor Eleanor's, which hung above the
chimney-piece.
Il couldn't, indeed, sir"
Wages twenty-five dollars a month, !"
mechanically repeated Uncle Barnabas,
as if he were sa ing off lesson. Drive
out every day in the carriage with the
missus, cat and canary to take care of,
modern house with all the Improvements,
| Sunday afternoons to yourself, and two
weeks, spring and fall, to visit your
MOTHER
mo, Uncle Barnabas, no, said Flea
nor, with little shudder I" am true
Berkelin, and l cannot stoop to mental
duties"
Uncle Barnabas gave such prolonged
sniff as to suggest the idea Of a very bad
| cold in his head indeed
Sorry" said he. Heaven helps
| those who help themselves, and you can't
expect me to be any more liberal-minded
than heaven. Sister Rachel" to my moth
er, what do yOu say?"
| Nv 1ootbar 6rnyv bo,. y0rattyr 1it+Io a orI1ro
up trihe more erect than usual.
f" think my daughter Eleanor is quite
right" said she. 'The Berkelins have
always been ladies'
| had sat quite silent, still with my chin
in my hands, during all this family dis
cussion; but now | rose up and came
creeping to Uncle Barnabas' side.
"W ell, little SUSIE" said the old gen
tleman, laying his hand kindly on my
wrist, "what is it?''
eff you please, Uncle Barnabas," said
|, with a rapidly-throbbing heart, q
would like to take the situation"
Bravow cried Uncle Barnabas.
&c My dear childn exclaimed my
mother
i" Susann0h!' uttered Eleanor, in &C.
cents by no means laudatory.
Yes" said l. twenty-five dollars
a month is great deal of money, and [
was never afraid of work. | think l will
go to the old lady, Uncle Barnabas. Pm
sure | could send home at least twenty
dollars month to mother and Eleanor,
and then the two weeks, spring and fall
would be so nice! Please, Uncle Barna-
bas I'll 90 back with you when you 60.
| What is the old lady'S name?''
"Her name?" said Uncle Barnabas
Didn't tell you? It's Prudence-Mrs.
Prudencen'
:" What nice name" said I. 81 know
shall like her"
"Well, [ think you WILL" said Uncle
Barnabas, looking kindly at me. "And I
think she will like you. Is it a bargain
for the nine o'clock train tomorrow morn
ing?"
Yes" answered, stoutly, taking care
not to look in the direction Of my mother
and Eleanor
You're the most sensible Of the LOTT
said Uncle Barnabas, approvingly.
But after he had gone to bed in the
best chamber, where the ruffied pillow
cases were and the tz-cushioned easy
chair, the full strength of the family tongue
broke on my devoted head.
" l can't help it,"quoth I, holding val
iantly to my colors. 1--WE can't starve.
Some Of us must do something. And you
can live very nicely mother, darling, on
twenty dollars a month";
That is true" sighed my mother from
behind her black-bordered pocket-hand-
kerchief. "But | never thought to see
a daughter of mine going out TOTO serv-
ice!''
And Uncle Barnabas isn't going to do
anything for us, after ALL" cried out
Eleanor, indignantly. "Stingy old fellow
| should think he might at least adopt one
of US! He's as rich as Cresus, and never
a chick nor child
He may do as he likes about that" |
answered independently. Il prefer to earn
my own money"
So the nextmorningI set out for the I'M
known bourne of New York life
Uncle Barnabas," said 1, as the train
reached the city, chow shall l find where
Mrs. Prudence lives?"
Oh, III go there with you," said he.
"Are you well acquainted with herr" l
ventured to ask.
"Oh, very well indeed" answered
Uncle Barnabas, nodding his head sagely
We took hack at the depot and drove
through so many streets that my head
spun around and around like a teetotum
before we stopped at pretty brown-stone
mansion looked like palace to my
unaccustomed eyes-and Uncle Barnabas
helped me out.
Here is where Mrs Prudence lives
said he, with a chuckle.
A neat little maid, with frilled white
aproR and roSe-cOlored ribbons in hel
hair, opened the door with a courtesy. anG
| | was conducted into an elegant apart
ment, all gliding, exotics and blue-satir
damask, when plump old lady, dressed
in black silk, with the loveliest Yalen
5 ciennes lace at her throat and wrists, came