The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-02-26
Nv mother leaned back in her chair with a

has got to be done; but who's 10 10 IL?
Another dead silence succeeded.
~ suppose your girls ere educated sal,
Uncle Barnabas; II know ! found enough
old school bills when looked over my broth
cr's papers
"Of course" sad my mother with cvidcn
pride; cher education has been most cXpen
sivc. Music, drawing, use Of the globes,
"YCs, yes. of course" interrupted | melt
Barnabas. But is it practical? Can theN
teaca?
Eleanor looked dubious | was not quit
certain that [ could not. Nine. Lenoir
amonp all her list of accomplishments ha,
not included the art of practical tuition
"Uumphu eruntcd Uncle Barnabas
"Ouecr thing. this modern idea of education
Well i, YOU can't teach you can do something
What do yCu say Eleanor to situation
"a situation" w..
The color flushed to Eleanors cheeks like
pink and white blossoms.
az smoke plain enough, didn't IL said Tn
Gle Barnabas, dryly. YES, situation
"What sort of situation, Uncle Barnabas"
"Wcll, | can't hardly say. Part servant,
mar, companion to an elderly lady" explain
ed the Old gentleman.
30, Uncle Barnabas couldn't o that"
"Not do it? And why not"
OTIS too much-too much" whispered I'll
canor, losing her real dignity in the pressure
0! the emergency, "llkc going out to service >
"And that is precisely what 1t is" retorted
Uncle Barnabas, nodding his head. Service
Why, were all out to service, IN one way OF
another, IN this world
"Oh, YES, | know" ialtcrcd poor Eleanor
who, between her disaste for the proposed
plan and her anxiety not to offend ncle
Barnabas Bcrkclin, didn't quite know what to
say; "but 1--we always been educated 10 DC
a lady"
80 you won't have the situation, Ell :"
said Uncle BarnabaS, staring up at HUE
wshy.washy water-color drawing OF CUPID
and Psyche, an ian exhibition piece" OF poor
Eleanor's, which hung above the chimney
piece
81 couldn't indeed, sir"
"Wagcs twenty five dollars month"; me
chanically repeated Uncle Barnabas, as If he
were saying a stiff lesson. Drive out ever
day in the carriage with the missus, cat and
canary to take care of, modern house with al!
the improvements Sunday afternoon to your
self, and two weckc spring and fall to WISH
your mother
mo, Uncle Barnabas, no." said Eleanor
with little shuddcr. II am atruc Berkclin
L
Uncle Barnabas gave such prolonged sniff
as to suggest the idea OF u very bad cold in
his head
SORRY" said he, "Hcaven helps those who
help themselves, and you can to be any more
liberal minded than Heaven. Sister Rachel,
to my mother, "what do you say"
My mother drew her pretty little finger up
a little more erect than usual.
II think my daughter Eleanor is quite
right" said She "The Berkelins have always
been ladies'"
sat quite silent, still, with my chin in my
hands, during all this family discussion; but
now rose up and came creeping to Uncle
Barnabacs side
"Well, little Susie" said The old gentleman,
laying his hand kindly on my waist, what is
liz"
"If you please, Uncle Barnabas,' said |,
with rapidly.throbblng heart 81 would
like TO take the situation"
Bravo cried Uncle Barnabas.
"My dear child" exclaimed my mother.
"Susannaw uttered Eleanor, in accents by
no means laudatory.
"Ycs," said |, twenty five dollars month
is great deal of money, and ! was never
afraid of work. think | will go to the old
lady Uncle BarnnhaS l am suro ! could send
home at least twenty dollars month to
mother, and Eleanor; and then the two weeks
spring and fall, would be so nice. Please,
Uncle Barnabas, I'll 90 back with you when
you 60 What is the old lady's Nance
"Iier name?' said Uncle Barnabas; didn't
tell you? It's Prudence-Mrs. Prudence,
what nice name said l. Il know |
shall like her"
"Wcll, I think you will" said Uncle Bar,
Inc yIly t,,f, III nt mn nd | tpk
she will like you Is it bargain for the Q
o'clock train tomorrow morning"
"Ycs," answered, stoutly, taking care not
to look in the direction OF mother and
Eleanor,
you're the most sensible Of the lot said
nclc liarnabus approvingly.
But after he had gone TO bed in the best
where the ruifled pillow cases
were, and the chnAcushioned easy.chair, the
full strength of the family tongue broke on
my devoted head.
II can't help it," quoth |, holding valicntly
To- my colors 1--WE can't s,arvc. Some Of us
must do something. And you can live nice
ly, mother darling, on twenty dollars a
month
"Taat is true" sighed my mother from be.
hind her black. bOrdcrcd pocket handkerchief.
'Dut | never thought 10 sCc IL udughtci VI
mine go out tO-to-to service"
And Uncle Barnabas isn't gong to do any.
hing for us after ALL cried Eleanor, indig.
lantly. "Stingy old fellow; should think
nc might at least adopt one of us, Hes as
,ich as CrUsus, and never chick nor a
hid"
"He may do as he likes about that an.
wercd independently. II prefer TO earn my
,wn money
So the next morning set out for the I'm.
luoun bourne Of New York lite.
Uncle Barnabas," SAID |, as the train
cached the city, chow shall find where Mrs.
Prudence lives
"Oh, III go there with you," said he.
care YOU well acquainted with her" | ven.
ured 10 ask.
ooh, very veil indeed answered nclc,
lodding his head sagely.
We took q hack al the depot and drove
through SO many streets that my head spun
round and round like tectorum, before we
stopped at Il little Jrownstone mansion-it
look like palace to my unaccustomed eyes
and Uncle Barnabas helped me out.
Here Is where Mrs. Prudence lives" said