Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1877-11-02
MY CURIOUS COMPANION.

MY CURIOUS COMPANION.
WANTED-By young married lady, a COM
panion to reside with her during her hus-
bands absence in India. A liberal salary
will be given, with every home comfort to
anyone suitable. Apply personally, ifpossi-
bic, to No. A0 Upper Barkley street. w.
The foregoing advertisement was dis
patched by me after considerable cOgita-
tion, and / waited the result of it with
some anxiety.
My husband, Maj. Conyers, had been
suddenly ordered to India; and having
no sister or any available cousin whom
] could invite to stay with me during his
absence, thought companion was the
best thing with which l could provide
myself; accordingly, indited my small
paragraph which | had the satisfaction
of seeing placed in very conspicuous
part of the paper on the morning after l
sent it. lived in London, consequently
felt certain that the personal interview
would be easily managed, but had COM
mitted an error in not naming particu-
lar hour, as, from eleven in the forenoon
until quite late in the day, the applica-
tioDs for personal interview with my
unfortunate self never ceased. The first
arrival was very handsomely-dressed
lady of about fifty, who came evidently
quite prepared to enter upon her duties at
once, and quite overpowered me with a
series of questions and statements with
out giving me the faintest chance of
making any inquiries myself. She had
lived with Lady This and the Honorable
Mrs. That, and one and all had treated
her like a sister-she felt certain | would
do the same-indeed, she quite knew me
already Home comforts were exactly
what she cared for; as to salary, it was
no object to her-a hundred year was
all she asked, though dear Lady Golding
had said sLe was never to take less than
two.
. 90 81 am afraid" put in at this iunct-
ure, &" that even one hundred is beyond
what intend to give, and l live so quiet
ly-"
"We won't quarrel about salary" in
terrupted my would be companion, and
as to quietness, it is just what want"
A peal at the door-bel emboldened me
to still greater determination, so ! re-
piled very resolutely for me: 81 do not
think we should suit; am sorry you
have had the trouble of coming"
$50 am l." she rejoined dryly; but
one ought not to trust to advertisements.
Hardly noticing my "good morning."
she got up and flounced downstairs, evil
IDENTIFY in great wrath at her rejection.
"Another lady to see you, ma'am," an
nounced my parlor-maid.
A very quiet, sweet-looking little per-
son came forward, and at the first glance
l fancied had found a suitable compan-
ion. But alas! her story was sad one,
and there were reasons which rendered
it impossible for me to avail myself of
her society. She was married. Her
husband was hopeless invalid and they
were very poor. She had not been edu-
Gated highly enough to be governess,
and, when she saw my advertisement,
she fancied, if the salary was good, she
might be my companion by day, and re-
turn at night to her own home, which
was at no great distance from my house.
She looked SO thin and SO i'll that l was
tempted to make some arrangement with
her; but as intended leaving town occa-
sionally, second thoughts showed me it
was out of the question. Besides, could
not have borne to think that while she
was with me she would always be in ago
ny to be with her husband-which had l
engaged her would most naturally have
followed. told her so as kindly as pos
sible, and, after making her take glass
of wine and some cake-which latter
saw her furtively convey to her pocket
for the sick husband, supposed-she
gave me her direction, and took her de-
parture. / afterward went to see her,
and her tale was sadly verified. But to
proceed.
My next visitor was a most pert dam
sci, without any pretensions TO being a
lady, who informed me that her pa was
dead, and, as there was so many of them
home, her ma wanted her to do for her
self. / had not much difficulty in dis
missing her. And the legions that fol-
lowed l cannot attempt detailed de-
scription. By the afternoon was thor
oughly exhausted, and had made up my
mind to see no more, when, just as it was
dra%Ing3ro6m and H6f6lhetfR& VI. TO tbs
a nice-looking young lady was in the
dining-room; quite the incest that had
been yet,
" Ask her to come upstairs, then, FL
lis, but do not admit anyone else," l re-
piled; and the next minute the drawing
room door was thrown open by Ellis and
Miss Burke" announced.
She was dressed in mourning, and.
even in the dim light, was, i could see, a
pale-faced, rather handsome girl, of ap-
parently four and twenty. Her height
was over the average, but seemed greater
from her extreme thinness, which struck
me as almost startling. GOOD even
ing" she said, in low and rather pleas.
ant voice. " / am afraid am very 4ate;
it was SO kind of you to see me-"
t'lt is late, assented, but that does
not matter"
"Thank you," responded my visitor;
81 came about your dvertisement-I
saw you wanted a companion, and am
anxious to get situation of that kind I"
have had so many applications to-
day." l answered, for want of something
better TO say.
All, | can quite fancy it," returned
Miss Burke. 81 fear am too late"
No." l replied; 81 have seen no one
yet 10 suit me-"
II you would only try me, should
do my utmost to please YOU" she said,
almost pleadiDgly. 81 have already
been a companion, and can give you
referenceswhich may induce you to think
OF me-; and Miss Burke opened a small
black velvet bag, which until then had
not perceived, and placed into my hand
monogramed and coroneted epistle,
addressed TO herself, purporting to come
from a Lady Montacute, whose compan-
ion she had been for two years, and who
expressed herself in the warmest terms,
assuring Miss Burke, whenever she re-
turned from the Continent, whittier she
was just going, that It would give her
the greatest pleasure 10 answer any In.