Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1876-01-15
Taking a Situation.

bas, "and now what.do you propose
to do about it ?" ~. 1885,.
We sat around the fire in disconso-
late semi circle, that dreary, drizzling
May night, when tho rain pattered
against the window panes, and the
poor little daffodils in the borders shiv
cred and shook as though they would
fain hide their golden heads once more
in the mother soil. My mother, Elean-
or, and I. The FIRST. pale and pretty,
and silver-haired, with the widows
cap, and her dress Of black bombazine
and Grape; the sweetest looking old la
dy, I think, that ever saw. Eleanor
sat beside her looking, as she always
did, like princess, with large, dark
eyes, Diana-like features, and hair
twisted in sort of coronal around her
queenly head. While I, plain, homo-
spun Susannah-commonly called I" for
short" Susy-crouched upon foot
stool in the corner, my elbows upon
my knees, and my chin in my hands.
Uncle Barnabas Berkelin sat in the
middle of the circle, erect, stiff, and
rather grim. He was stout, and short,
with grizzled mustache, little,
round, bald spot on the crown of his
head, and two glittering black eyes
that were always sending their dusky
lightnings in the direction least ex-
pected. Uncle Barnabas was wise in
the ways of the world and we we're in
experienced; Uncle Barnabas was pros
perous'in all he did, while il there was
bad bargain to be made, we were
pretty sure to be the ones to make it.
Consequently, as matter of course,
we looked up to Uncle Barrabas, and
reverenced his opinions. ..
What do you propose to do about
it?' Eleanor slowly repeated, lifting
her beautiful, jetty brows.
Yes, that's exactly it," said my
mother, nervously; because, brother
Barnabas, we don't pretend to be busi-
ness women, and it's certain we cannot
live comfortably on our present income.
Something has got to be done"
And then my mother leaned back III
her chair, with tronbled face.
"Yes," said Uncle Barnabas, some
thing has got to be done! But who's
to do it?" mss -..
And another dead silence succeeded.
suppose you girls are educated p
said Uncle Barnabas. "I know |
found enough old school bills when I
was looking over my brothers papers. !"
"Of COURSE" said my mother, with
evident pride; "their education has
been most expensive. Music, drawing,
use of the globes"
"Yes, yes, OF course" interrupted
Uncle Barnabas. "But isit practical ?
Can they teach ?" ss aa.s.- -.
Eleanor looked dubious. was quite
certain that could not. Madame Le-
noir, among al her list of accomplish
ments, had not included the art ofprac-
tical tuition. E issz apst- ta.s
Humphp' grunted Uncle Barna-
bas. GA queer thing, this modern
idea of education. Well, if you can't
teach, you can surely do something!
What do you say, Eleanor, to situa-
ton p. t.,..-... ..
:" A situation r ''i
The color fiuttered in Eleanor's face
like pink and white apple blossoms. %
"I spoke plain enough, didn't l p
said Uncle Barnabas. .dryly. Yes, q
situation" -.
what sort of q situation, Uncle
Barnabas r. r...f ss.i as.4 Is f....
"Well; I can hardly say. Part SER
want, part companion to an elderly la
dyp explained the gentleman. ",ai
-" O, Uncle Barnabas, Icould'nt do
that" "A .4,cls Esgar,a ana -yf-e:
"Not do it.? And why not?"
6" It's two much--too much" whis-
pered Eleanor, losing her regal dignity
in the pressure of an emergency, "like
going out to service" t.s Ian,
/" And that is precisely what it is!'
replied Uncle Barnabas, nodding his
head. Service We're all out at
service, in one way or another, in this
| worldr'. ' oiet .Al
"Oh, yes, know" faltered poor
Eleanor, who, between her distaste for
the proposed plan and her anxiety not
to offend Uncle Barnabas Berkelin,
didn't quite know what to say. !" But
live always been educated to be q
lady" .s.s@o,. ...J
$50 you won't take the situation,
eh ?" said Uncle Barnabas staring mp
at q wishy washy little water color draw
ing OF Cupid and Psyche AN "exhi-
bition piece" of poor Eleanor's that
hung above the chimney piece.
a 81 couldn't, indeed, SIR al.'
Wages'twenty-five dollars a month
drive out in the carriage every day with
the missus, cat and canary totake care
of, modern house. with all the improve.
ments, Sunday afternoon to yourself
and two weeks spring and fall, toyisiI
your mother" Us aav sa8
/ g No, Uncle Barnabas, no." said El
eaner, with q little shudder. 81 am Z
true Berkelin, and I cannot stoop tic
such menial duties FL asif4 ,e
| Uncle Barnabas gave sucha prolonged
sniff as to suggest the idea OF o very
bad cold in his head, indeed.