The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1877-04-11
MISCELLANY.
MARY Ann.

uhhiJ Auus w chi ehtoo lao tuC tiuS Vi
pure metal, thank goodness To be sure
there is nothing very classic about Mary Ann.
The girl is probably as homely as her name,
with plebian style about her, that promises
good, wholesome country dinners for me and
sharp elbows for her, with a supplementary
pair of understandings, clumsy, but useful as
charms. Yes, your name has decided me,
Mary Ann, and shall forthwith place my
baggage my digestion and my domestic well
fare in your keeping until September, if the
rates do not interpolate devices unexpected"
The gentleman Illuminating thus laid aside
the letter he had just finished reading, and
drawing clean sheet of note paper from the
desk before which he was seated, hastily ndi-
ted reply:
MIR. HuRsT-Y Your terms and accommo-
dations suit me admirably. The very fact of
your place being SO retired, and your family
so small, inclines me to hasten my preparation
to leave the busy city life for the charm of
your peaceful domicile and its surrounding
attractions for tired business man. as
sure you | am delighted to know that the
feminine element of your house is reduced to
the society of one lady, and if she-your
daughter Mary Ann--will do the hostess part
Of attending to the simple requirements of
your Summer boarder, indoors, / shall find
all the amusement l want with my fishing
pole and gun.
every truly yours, ANDREW CAKTHRp
"There now, Mary Ann Hurst, that settles
my troubles for the season, our Andrew NUT
tered with smirk of satisfaction, as he con-
templated the prospect before him.
Now he was going out into the country
where he could put ON a flannel shirt and
wear it just as long as he pleased, roll up his
pants, and get his boots muddy, and indulge
in the luxury of an unshaven face. Yes, and
the supreme happiness of all, he was going to
smoke pipe morning, noon and night, and
If Mary Ann didn't like it, she might do the
other thing.
Mary Ann, indeed She doubtless had
brndle complexion and hair to match, and
didn't know the difference between fragrant
Havana and cabbage, anyway.
Andrew Carter paused at the gate leading
into nicely kept garden the pretty white
cottage before him looked inviting with its
poisoning vines and fragrant woodbine
climbing up over the porch and entrance. 1t
was toward evening. The house looked cool
and restful to the man who had trusted blind
luck in securing summer home, and certainly
blind luck y had led his footsteps into
pleasant paths SO far.
.Where is Mary Ann?' he thought as
he walked up to tie door and knocked. 1t
was opened by a dumpy figured female, who
took his satchel and led the way to a
room overlooking the garden, after he had an
nounced himself as the expected 'tboarder."
"Thank you, Miss Mary Ann" he exclaim-
ed as she delivered his valise, but the girl
only looked up with surprised stare, and
vanished out of the room.
With sigh of exquisite contentment he
surveyed his department. The floor was
covered with straw mating. A velvet rug
in front of the low white drapped bed
several cane seated chairs and a rocking chair;
Tongue covered with clean linen castings a
small walnut bookcase and escritoire a ta-
BILE with damask cover, on which stood a
lamp with students shade two simple en-
cravings ornamented the walls a closet for
Clothes and washstand with toilet bureau
constituted the appointments of his room.
Mary ANN said his heart, "you are as
awkward as your name, but you possess a
fine womanly knack at fixing things, and you
are neat il you are ugly"
He washed and changed his travelling suit
for plain business suit, and was about to
light his pipe, when he glanced around on the
maiden purity of his surroundings and hest
tated.
"It's pity to scent up this place with to-
bacco,'' he thought 81 guess I'll wait and
smoke out on the porch after supper"
| The sound of bell consoled him, and leav-
| ing his room he was met in the hall by plain
old gentleman farmer to be sure, but evil
IDENTIFY man that was accustomed to other
society than his cattle and swine.
"Ah, good evening, Mr. Carter hope
you have found everything comfortable and
are prepared to do justice to our country
fare ?''
Hungry as all starved city people,, was
the laughing reply as he followed his host in
to large room where the table was set and
he expected to see the Mary Ann of his i'm
agination presiding but the table was set for
two, and the girl who had admitted him
waited on them.
Andrew was puzzled. Surely this broad
female was not the influence that regulated
this house. lie observed certain fineness in
everything about him, the spirit Of which ney-
CT emanated from that human machine with
the brindle complexion. Surely Dir. Hurst