The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1875-03-11
THE TRIBUNE.
MR, DAYTON's HOUsEKEEPER.


at Michigan Av ,nue.'
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 a roll OF bak-
er's 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 unsatisfed her appetite still was, In
her busy thought.
A stranger in a strange place, success
sively she had tried to find a situation
as teacher, copyist, in 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. Davenport,
the rich, naughty step-sister who had
ill-treated her gentle mother while she
lived, and had hated Kate herself.
Perhaps, Kate thought, she would
permit her to refer to her, because glad
to have her descend to mental 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 splendid
house.
But an ''elderly woman Now Kate
was not an elderly woman, being only
twenty; but she remembered, with
sort of pleasure, that in private theatric-
ais 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 wrinkled appearance, ana she
had, in the bottom of box, some false
grey hair and a muslin cap worn on one
of these occasions. She did not need to
look so very old-only to present a ma
ture and lnatronly 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 gay
frank, good-natured countenance.
He leaned back in nonchalent way,
with his feet on another chair.
s'There ought to be Mrs. Dayton to
manage these housekeeping matters.
Well, there's time enough.
Two applicants were seen and disn1is
sed in Mr.. Dayton's gentlemanly way.
A third was ushered in. Mr.. Dayton
instinctively laid aside his segar, and
placed char for the 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.
ga silent woman-a good thing" was
his inward remark.
''[ think you.will suit me. Mrs,
what may I understand your name %
Franklin"
s'Mrs. Franklin you will be required
to gD 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 you %
She answered, quietly, that they did.
''rhen it is all settled. By the way,
/ suppose you have references, though
that is mere matter of form"
The name of Davenport was given.
Davenport? Robert Davenport ? I
know them. All right. If convenient,
you will please go tomorrow, Mrs.
Franklin, OF the next day. l shall not
come till the middle of next week, and
probably bring friend or two with me.
Have the chamber in the center and
wings prepared, if you please. The
housekeeper there now viii not leave
until Saturday. She will show you
round.
us Mrs, is your wife there, or to
go soon ~
He laughed.
Mrs. Edward Dayton2 No, she is
not there, and do not know of her go
ing at present" Adding more serious
ly, 81 have not the pleasure, Mrs Frank
lin, of having wife, with slight
stress on pleasure. !"
4 vivid color came into the brown
cheek of the housekeeper, and he man
ner showed evident embarrassment.
s'I thought believe cannot
and stopped.
He did not notice il. His mind had
already turned to other things. He rose.