The Van Buren press., 1875-03-09
MISCELLANY.
MR.. DAYTON'S HOUSEKEEPER

" W anteu-A nOuseKeeper. NO one
but an elderly person, competent, and Of
the highest responsibility, need apply,
Call between the hours of three and -four,
Thursday, April sixth, at No. - Mich,
gan Avenue"
Kate Franklin rea this in the paper
which lay on the counter in the little gro
Gerry, while waiting to have an ounce or
two of tea done up, and roll Of baker S
bread
She repeated the number of the house
over to herself as she received the change
from the grocer.
She prepared her tea after she returned
to the little bare attic, and ate her scauty
meal mechanically. She forgot how un-
satisfied her appetite still was, in her busy
thought.
"A stranger in a STR ..e place, success
lively she had tried to find situation as
teacher, copyist, in store, sewing. She
had failed in the first three, and was star
wing 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 suili
cient inhuence-Mrs. Davenport, the rich
naughty step-sister, who had i'll treated
her gentle mother while she lived, and
had hated Kate herself.
Perhaps Kate thought she would per.
nit her to refer to her, because glad to
have her descend to menial employment
Kate was competent for the situation, for
during her mothers long illness. and her
fathers absence, she had entire charge
Of their large family aud splendid house.
But "elderly woman" Now Kate was
not All elderly woman, being only TWEEN.
ty; but she remembered, with sort Of
pleasure, that in private theatricals, in
happier days, she had initiated the voice,
and assumed the character of all old wo-
man with great success. She knew how
to stain the skin to give an old and wrin-
kled appearance, and she had, in the bot
tom Of box, some false grey hair and 4
muslin cap worn on one of those occa
sions. She did not need to leOk so very
old--only to present mature and ma
tronly appearance.
Mr.. Edward Dayton waited at home
after his dinner to see the respondents to
his advertisement He was handsome
man, not yet thirty, With a gay, frank,
good natured countemnce
lie leaned back in nonchaant way,
with his feet on another chair.
There ought to b, a Mrs, Dayton to
manage these housekeeping matters
Well, there's time enungh."
Two applicants were seen and dismiss
ed in Mr.. Daytons gentlemanly way.
a third was ushereC in Mr.. Dayton
instinctively lald aside his segar, and pla-
ced a chair for his vistor.
Tho iody-iikcness aud propricty Of he
manner pleased him At once "Falen
fortunes" he commented to himself
She answered his questions readily,
but in few words.
A silent woman-a good thing"
was his inward remark.
II think you will suit me- Mrs -
what may understand your name 2"
Franklin"
"Mrs Franklin, you will be required
to 60 out of town, about seven miles, to
my country house, Oak Groye-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 your
She answered, quietly, that they did
Then it is all settled BY tue way,
suppose you have references, though that
is mere matter of form"
The name of Davenport wins given.
"Davenport3 Robert Davenport !
know them All right. If convenient,
you will please go tomorrow, Mrs
Franklin, or the next day. shall not
come till the middle Of next week, and
probably bring friend or two with me,
Have the chambers in the centre and
wings prepared, if your please. The house
keeper there now will not leave until Sat
urday, She will show you round
is Mrs, is your wife there, or to
60 soonT'
He laughed,
Mrs. Edward Dayton? No, she is
not there, and do not know of her 90.
ing at present Adding, more serious.
IL, a. have not the pleasure, Mrs. Frank
lin, Of having a wife, with slight stress
on pleasure"