The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1879-08-27

daughters stood with their 0alnt
wrappers and tucked petticoats draw
tightly around their stylish boots
gazing around this hitherto terra in
cognito with looks of mingled disma.
and dread.
Belle and Lillian, with their ligh
hair done up with crimping pins il
front, and jewels twinkling ia thei
ears and on their fingers gave no evi
dence, in their present appearance. o
their suddenly altered fortunes bu
Amy, who, from the moment she hat
learned the true state of affairs, hs,
laid aside all superfuous adornments
and with her pretty curls tied simply
away from her face, and arrayed j
the plainest dress she could find
which was, nevertheless, far too hand
some for such work. stood calmly an(
brsvely surveying the scene.
"WeIl!" Mrs. Cartwright repeated
with another Sigh. "You bad better
set about it right away, then, Amy
Though how you are going to manage
it without running your dress, I'm
sure / don't see"
Just wait minute and I'll en-
Tighten you mother" was Amy's re-
ply. m
And, first pinning her dress around
her in true domestic style, she next
fsbed up from the ironing basket
slowed away in the corner of the
closet, what had once served as an
ironing sheet, but was scorched and
otherwise defaced, and wrapped thai
around her in q thoroughly scientific
manner. leaving only the piquant
resolute face and pretty plump arms
visible. ft.e@
Now am girded and guarded
and ready for the fray !" she exclaim
ed, gayly, ''you girls and mother can
retire on dignifed state up stairs un.
I'll | summon you to witness the re-
suit of my labors. If old Mr.. Sanford
doesn't buy this house it shall not be
the RANGES fault nor mine"
And the young face bent grayeIy
over her task, as Mrs. Cartwright
and her other daughters beat will
ing retreat TO more aristocratic re-
gions.
Fortunately for Amy, directions
how to use the blacking were pasted
on the outside of the small package
that contained it, and after some lit
| lie perplexity and .trepidation, she
was at last fairly launched upon this
new enterprise, and scrubbed away
with undiminished alacrity and cheer
fulness, until the range was finished,
and she could see her pretty face in
any part of its polished surface.
i When everything had been once
more restored to order, Amy, quite
elated at her success. summoned her
mother and sisters to behold her hand
liwork
While the trio were contemplating
it and coDgratulatipg themselves at
the same time that the dreaded Rub
icon was passed without their being
compelled to soil their dainty fingers,
q decided peal sounded at the door
bell above.
"Mercy!p exclaimed Mrs. Cart
wright "Who can it be OF this un-
heard-of hour! Girls, some of you
must 60 to the door, / am not fit to
be seen in this dishabille,r %
Nor /, with my hair all in
crimps ~ declared Belle.
"Ard 80 lie mine," added Lillian,
putting her hand up to her head. II
cannot go, looking like such q
fright" |"
"Then suppose nothing remains
but for me to turn porter as well as
stove polisher p said Amy, with b
laugh. Thanks to my novel apron,
my dress has not been soiled at all,
and don't think my appearance is
calculated to shock any ones refined
sensibilities.
And, with another laugh at the ex-
preston of dismay on the faces Of her
mother and sisters, she tripped away
up stairs, blissfully unconscious Of
the fact that there was slight dab of
black on one side of her nose, where
she had inadvertently touched it with
her finger while engaged at her late
task s 1888
Opening the door she found herself
face to face with q handsome and
stylish young man, on the sunny side
of 80, whom she knew by sight, hav-
ing noticed him at one or two of the
recent evening parties which she had
attended, although they had not as
yet been formally introduced to each
other.
But Harvey Atwood was evidently
quite familiar with the pretty face of
Mrs. Cartwright's youngest daughter,
and dotted his bat with his best bow.
II am addressing Miss Cartwright
/ believe ?n
"One Of then, sir" Amy responded,
with smile.
4
IL am depu.ed by my uncle, Mr..
Sanford, to examine this house, which
he has some thoughts of purchasing.
Can | see it this morning."
| II guess 30. Step into the psrlor
for moment, if you please-n
| And closing the door upon him,
Amy went down stairs to inform her
mother of the advent.
i Harvey Atwood /! Horrors !" Belle
exclaimed, actually turning pale.
"The very last person that we would
want to have catch rs in such a
plight. And l had made my calculs
tions upon getting an introduction to
him at the next party" she added
: with n sob. dT r
well. Amy, you will have to show
him around the house, for it would
: take me an hour TO make myself pre-.
sentable,' said Lillian. "Only keep
your hands out of sight as much as
possible, and for goodness sake dom,
breathe word about our having to
do the housework. II we manage the
matter very discreetly We nay be
able to sustain our position in society
iyet."
"Ob, rubbish" was Amy's uncom-
promising comment, as she went baei
to the parlor whence, after giving the
others time to slip softly up TO theil
rooms, she proceeded TO show her Wis
itor over the house.
Mr. Atwood inspected the premises