The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1875-04-02
MR. pAYTON'S HOuSEKEEPER


~wanted.--A househeeper. No one but
an elderly person, competent, and Of the
highest resplctability, need apply. Call
between tho noursof three and four, Thurs
day, April sixth, at No. - Michigan
Avenue"
Kate Franklin read this in the paper
which lay on the counter in the little gro
cery while waiting to have an ounce OF
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. b d
She prepared the tea after she returned
80 the little bare attic, and ate her scanty
meal mechanically. She forgot how un-
satisfied hcr appetite still was, in her busy
'tboughts
A stranger in a strange place, successive
ly she had tried to find situation as teach
er, 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 suli-
cient influence-Mrs. Davenport, the rich,
naughty step-sister who had il-treated her
gentle mother while she lived, and had hat
ed Kate herself.
Perhaps Kate thought, she would permit
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 largo family and splendid
house.
But a elderly woman" Now Kate was
not an elderly woman, being only twenty;
but she remembered, with sort of pleas
ure, that in private theat1icals in happier
days, she had initiated the voice, and as
sumed the character of an old woman with
great success. She knew how to stain the
skin 10 give an old and wrinkled appear
appearance, and she had, in the bottom of
n box, some false grey hair and a muslin
cap worn on one Of these occasions. She
did not need 10 look SO very old-only 10
present mature and matronly appear
ance.
Mr. Edward Dayton waited at home after
his dinner to see the respondents to his ad-
vertisenent. He was handsome man, not
yet thirty. with a gay frank, good-n4tured
countenance.
lie leaned back in nonchalent way,
with his feet on another chair.
There ought TO be a Mrs. Dayton to
manage these housekeeping matters. Wen,
there's time enough"
Two applicants were seen and dismissed
IN Mr.. Dayton's gentlcmanly way.
A third was usherea in. Mr.. Dayton in
stinctively laid aside his segnr, and placed
a chair for his visitor.
The lady-likeness and propriety of her
manner pleased him at once. Fallen for
tunes" he commented to himself.
She answered his questions readily, but
in few words.
"a silent yoman--a good thing. WIS his
inward remark.
Il think you win suit me- Mrs. =, what
may understand yo,u name 2"
"Franklin.' d
Mrs Franklin you WILDE required to go
ont Of town, about seven miles, to my coun.
try house, Oak Grove-in the town of EN-
bury, on the Grand Central Railroad.
The salary propose to pay is six hum
dred dollars per annum. Domyterms suit
your '9
She answered, quietly, that they did.
l''Then it is all settled. BY the way, 1
suppose You have references, though that is
. mere matter Of forme M
The name Of Davenport was given.
"DavenportP Robert Davenportp i
know them. All right, If convenient. you
viii please 60 tomorrow, Mrs. Franklin, or
the next day. I shall not come till the
middle Of next week, and probably bring a
friend or two with me. Have the cham.
bers IN the center and wings prepared, If
you please. The housekeeper there now
VII not leave until Saturday. She will
show you round" I"
lis Mrs, =, is your wife there, or to go
soon ~ e u
He laughed sii @
"Mrs Edward DaytonP No, she is not
there, and do not know Of her going at
present Adding more seriously, II have
not the pleasure, Mrs. Franklin. Of having
a wife p with slight stress on ,pleas.
nre.''
A vivid color came into the brown check
0f the lousekesper, and her manner shovel
evident embarrassment.
Il Ithought--I belie,e--I eann0t-4' and
stopped.
He did not notice it. His mind had all
xeady turned to other things. He rose.
rIfs an settled. believe. Blythe way"
his eye falling on thssFrsty black dress.
yeR may Ike an advance, as an evidence
of tho bargain. II d quite oaatcmarysI
believe. to dc 20 /" age " ~ Il
Ihe ho0aekeeper's hand citsed on the ff-
y aollaFa t4af he gave hefi aud TIE wosds
ahe N1ula have said we're left .uputt@ed.
Hhe,pbyed to lha, door, Ha epanoa it..lcr