The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1876-01-19

IlHf lut NtAN ENA1 ~ -
"Well, Mary, first put the room in
order before the doctor comes"
oh, if words could only picture
that sceuei Fancy this tall, large,
ugly woman, armed q use the word
in its full sense) with a dnster, eharg-
ing at the furniture as if she were
stabbing her mortal enemy to the
heart. She stuck the comb into the
brush "a if she were saying die,
traitor!" and piled up the books as
if they were fagots for a funeral
fame. She gave the curtains a sweep
with Der hands as if she were pat
ting back tapestry for a royal process
sion. and dashed the chairs down 10
their places like a magnificent bandit
spurning a tyrant in bis power.
But when she came to the invalid
she was gentle, almost caressing in
her manner, proping me up comforta-
big, making the bed at once easy and
handsome, arranging my hair and
dress with perfect perception OF my
sore condition. And when she dash
ed out of the room, | forgave the air
with which she returned and pre-
scented a tray to me for the sake Of
its contents. Such delicious tea and
toast, and such perfection of poached
eggs, were an apology for an eceen-
tricity of manner. 1 a thinking
gratefully Of my WI comfort and
watching her hang up my clothes in
the closet in her own style, when the
door-bell rang Like lightning she
closed the closet door, caught up the
tray, and rushed down stairs. From
nv open door | could hear the fol-
lowing conversation, which must
say rather astonisbed even me, al
ready prepared for aRy eccentritity
DR.. Holbrook was nv visitor, and
Of course his first question was
How is Mrs. Harvey this morn
ing?"
In a voice that was the %cOncentrat-
ed essence Of about one dozen TRACE.
dies my extraordinary servant replied
What man art thou 2"
as the woman crazy? ?" cried the
doctor.
Lay not that latteriDg junction to
your soul !" cried Mary.
"H'm-yes-" said the doctor,
musingly then..in his own CHEEKY,
brisk tones he added: "you are the
new servant, | suppose p"
"Sir, | will serve my mistress till
chill death shall part us from each
other"
Him. Well now, in plain Eng
lish, go tell her | am here"
81 go, and it is done ~ was the re-
ply, and with the slow stride and halt
| beard her cross the entry. She
was soon at my door. Madam, the
doctors waitsl" she said, standing
with one arm out IN a grand attitude.
Let him come mp" | said, chok-
ing with laughter.
She went down again.
"Sir, from nv mistress | have late
ly come, tG bid you welcome, and in
plOre you to ascend. She awaits
within yon chamber for your com
ing"
Is it to be wondered at that the
doctor found bis patient in perfect
conyulsions of laughter, or that be
joined her in her merrimen:?
"Where did you End that treas
ure ?" be asked.
Harry sent Der from the Office
"Stage-struck evidently, though
where she picked up that iftb-cut-
actress manner remains to be seen"
The professional part of his visit
over. the doctor stayed for a chat
We were warmly discussing the news
&C the dav. when-whewl the door
few open. and IN stalked Mary. and
announced with a swing of her arm
"Tbe butcher, madam J"
I saw the doctors eyes twinkle,
but he began to write in his memo
randum-book with intense gravity.
well Mary,"I said. "he is not
waiting?"
"The dinner waits" she replied
"Shall I prepare che viands as nv
own Judgment shat direct. or will
vour inclination dictate 10 me"
Cook them as YOU will. but have
a good dinner for Mr. Harvey St two
O'Clock"
Between the strokes twill wait
bis appetite" And with snoth her
sweeping courtesy she left the room,
the door, as usual, after her exit.
standing wide open.
She was as good as her word.
Without n orders from me, she
took It for granted that Harry would
dine M stairs. and set the table in
nv room ] was beginning to let nv
keen sense Of the ludicrous triumph
over pain and WEAKNESS, and ] watch
ed her, strangling the laugh till she
was down stairs. To see her stab
the potatoes and bebead the celery
was a perfect treat. and the air Of a
MARTYR preparing poison, with which
she poured out the water, was per-
feet. Harry was evidently prepared
for fun, for be watched her as keeDlv
as I did.
Not one moutbful would she bring
10 me, till she had made il as dainty
as could be MASKING nv potatoes
with the movement Of a saint crush
ing vipers, and buttering my bread
in o manner that fairly transformed
the knife into q dagger. Yet the mo-
ment she brought it to me. all the
affectstion dropped, and no mother
could have been more naturally ten
der. Evidently, with all her non-
sense, she was kindhearted.
1t took but n day to isd We had
secured a perfect treasure. Her
cooking was exquisite enough for the
palate of an epicure /; she was neat
10 a nicely, and | soon found her
punctnal and trustworthy. Her at
,entions to myself were touching in
their watchful kindness. Sometimes,
when the pain was very severe, and
| could only lie suffering and help
less, her large hand would smooth
nv hair softly, and her voice became
almost musical in its low murmurings
Of Poor child! poor little child 7"
| think Der large, strong frame, and