The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1877-05-24


What a treasure you owe
To the printer, be certain-to pay him,
THE REASON WHY.
Mr.. Dlggory Dibbs, a tradesman of
New York, having bought house out
of town. and comfortably established
himself and family therein, found him
self one morning in that state to which
the father of a family residing in the
rural districts is 50 often reduced
cookless; Matilda Mitfins, who had
condescended to accept the place, hav-
ing departed in wrath because of q
bitter argument concerning the pud-
ding.
so bring new cook home with
you, DEAR said Mrs. Dibbs, as she
gave him her parting salute. Il can't
leave the children, you know, while
sister Julia Is away, and 1 can't take
the whole tribe walking about with
me-
Mr.. Dibbs promised to do his best,
and having made promise, he never
broke it; but his task was hard one.
Not a cook, of all VINO sat airing their
heels in the Domestic Servants Reg
istry Office, would condescend TO &C.
cept situation in Pottsville. Con-
temptuous glances, shifts, and scorn-
full twists of the head were his portion
whether he made his modest request
to Martha, Jane, Maria, Sally, or Di-
nah. Even a French W oman, who re-
presented herself as being able to do
anything, and willing to oblige, clasp
ed her hands, and exclaimed, sThe
countryl Ah, gracious heaven! Mon
siuer must see the absnrdity-but no. ,
And poor Mr.. Dibbs was in despair,
when there at last stood before him
small and very dark-colored girl, who,
having listened to his explanations and
replied to them by asking if
there was other servants.
well, no. said Mr.. Dibbs, there
are not; but--
sThen, of course, 1 have a bed room
to myself?'
'Oh, yes, yes y said Mr.. Dibbs.
'Then Ill come, said the girl. I'll
just take the address, and then
'But you'd better go down with me-
said Mr.. Dibbs.
The girl hesitated moment.
Il may tell my friends I'm going?
III not be gone a moment,' said she.
Mr.. Dibbs assentcd. The girl de-
parted but returned in a few moments,
and Mr.. Dibbs took his new cook
home in triumph, to the great joy of
Mrs. Dibbs, who watched them from
the nursery window as they came
along the road.
When questioned by her new mis-
lress, the girl proved respectful and
apparently capable. She stated that
she had just come from the South, that
she had been a slave before the civil
war, and was brought up as cook by
old missus.' She gave her name as
Biddy, and declared herself anxious to
suit. And having given satisfactory
answers to all interrogators, she took
her way to the kitchen, where she set
herself zealously to work at dishwash-
ing without delay.
Nv, nshh, do
,,ared, decidedly perfect treasure!
There was no cause to change their
opinion next day, nor the next. On
he third night, however, Mr.. Dibbs
WAS surprised, on alighting from the
rain at the station, to see Biddy in her
black straw hat and waterproof cloak
on the platform. He ad-
dressed her, but she would not answer
lin, and he fastened home, wOuder-
ng what had happened that the treas
ire should haye been dismissed SO
TO his surprise, Biddy
opened the door tor him.
well, Bidd5, you must have walk
ed last 10 get here before me, he said
Biddy made curtesy, but said moth.
ng.
q saw you at the station, didn't 1?
said Mr.. Dibbs.
please, sir, don't know, said Bid
ly,
You've been there?
Not to my knowledge, Sir.
'lIer way of being polite and leav-
ing it all 10 me- said Mr.. Dibbs TO
himself.
Bnt though he discovered that Bid
ty had not left the house all day, he
could scarcely believe that he had not
seen her.
That very evening another odd
thing happened. Young Fred Dibbs,
going to the barn to look for a lost
came in with story.
Il thought l saw a ghost, mother
he said. 'lt was standing by the well
looking ever SO funny; but just as I
was going to run, l saw 1t was Biddy,
all wrapped up in something.
'Biddy has been standing just there
wood ever since you went
OUT said his mother, pointing to the
kitchen door.
1t was no more Biddy than it was
ghost, but the boy persisted in his
He was so obstinate, in
deed. that he was sent TO bed in some
disgrace for contrsdicting his mother.