The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1876-01-22

the worst case of inhammatory sickness
he ever had.
But he is the meekest husband to b
found, and the well is filled up.
TAKING 4 SITUATION.
well, girls said my Uncle Barnabas
"and now what do you propose to do abou
it?''
We sat around the fire in disconsolat'
semi circle, that dreary, drizzling. May
night, when the rain battered against tn,
window pancs, and the poor little dall'odil,
IN the borders shook and shiy cred as if they
would fain hide their heads once more il
the mother soil. Mvmother, Eleanor and [
The first, pale and pretty, and silver haired
with the widow 5 cap, and her dress OF
black bombazine and Grape; the sweetest
looking old lady, l think, ever saw
Eleanor sat beside her. looking, as she
always did, like princess, with large, dark
eyes, Diana-like features, and hair twisted
head. While |, plain, homcspun Susannal
commonly called. " for short" Susy-
crouched upon a footstool in the corner,
my elbows on my knees, and my chin in
my hands.
Uncle Earnabas Berkelin sat in the mid
die of the circle, erect, stiff and rather
grim. He was stout and short, with a
grizzled moustache, a little, round bald
spot on the crown of his head, and two
little glittering black eyes that were always
sending their duslly lightnings in the direc,
ton least expected. Uncle Barnabas was
rich and we were poor. Uncle Barnabas
was wise in the ways of the world and we
were inexperiencee. Uncle Barnabas was
prosperous in all he did; while, if there
was bad bargain to be made, we were
pretty sure to he the ones to make it. Con
sequently, and as a matter of course, we
looked up to Uncle Barnabas, and rcvcr-
enced his opinions.
CIV hat do we propose to do about lt?''
Eleanor slowly repeating, lifted her beauti-
ful, jetty brows.
Yes, that's exactly it, said my moth
er, nervously; ''because, Brother Barnabas,
we don't pretend to be business women,
and it's certain that we cannot live CON-
fortably on our present income. Some
thing has got to be DONE
And then my mother leaned back in hel
chair, with a troubled face.
"Ycs," said Uncle Baruabas, "some,
thing has got to be done, But who's to dc
ito'
And another dead silence succeeded.
81 suppose your girls are educatcd?' %
said Uncle Barnabas. Il know | found
enough old school bills when [ was looking
over my brothers papers"
''Of course said my mother, with evi
dent pride; " their education has been most
expensive. Music, drawing, use of the
globes ="
Yes, yes, of course" interrupted Uncle
Barnabas. But is it practical? Can they
teach ~
Eleanor looked dubious. I was quit,
certain that could not. Madame Lenior
among all her list of accomplishments, haG
not included the art of practical tuition.
Humph!' grunted Uncle Barnabas.-
"A queer thing this modern idea of educa
ton. Well, if you can't teach, you car
surely do something! What do you say
Eleanor to a situation ~
"a situation?''
The color futtered in Eleanor's cheek.
like pink and white apple blossoms.
81 spoke plain enough, didn't | >" sale
Uncle Barnabas, dryly. "Yes, a situa
tom
"What sort of situation, Uncle Barna
bas ?'
"Wel, l can hardly say. Part servant
part companion to an elderly ladyn' OK
planned the old gentleman.
:" Oh, Uncle Barnabas, l couldn't dc
that"
:" Not do it? Aud why not -
cts too nuch-too mucb,' whispered
Eleanor, losing her regal dignity in the
pressure of the emergency, like goin.
out to service
| "And that is precisely what it isl re
| torted Uncle Barnabas, nodding his head
"Servicc, Why, we're all out at service
/ in one way or another. in this world
/ "Oh, yes, l know, faltered poor Eleanor
/ who, between her distaste for the proposet
/ plan and her anxiety not to offend Uucl
/ Barnabas Berkclin, didn't quite know wha
to say. " But 1--we always been educat
ed to be a lady,
80 SO you wont take the situation, ell p
said Uncle Barnabas, staring up at
wishy washy little water color drawing o
! Cupid and Psyche. an "exhibition piece
Of poor EIeanor's, which hung above tn
chimney piece.
" | couldn't, indeed, sir
"Wages twenty five dollars a month,
mechanically repeated Uncle Rarnabas. a
if he were saying off a lesson. Driv
ont in the carriage every day with tn
missus, cat and canary to take care OF