The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1879-09-03
bow an ADVERTISEMENT Was ANSWERED.

A middle-aged lady would like to
become housekeeper in small family
during the winter months. No wages
required; best of references given"
This singular advertisement met my
eyes one morning while sat alone at
the breakfast-table, reading the Daily
Item.
Two of the children were sick, an
inefficient servant added to our trouble,
my wife's health had nearly given way
under her housekeeping cares, and every
thing seemed to me on that special
morning going to the dogs.
My situation was a good one, and my
salary fair, but then the doctors bills
were unusually large, and our cook
wasteful, because Mary-that's my wife
could not attend to her kitchen and
take care of the sick children at the
same time.
Mary, allow ME to say here, is one of
the sweetest of sweet women, not only
in face, expression and manners, but i'll
taste, in d.ess, and all the etceteras that
make a mans home the best place this
side of heaven. She thoroughly enjoyed
everything that did-art, music, liter
ature, and, during the first two years OF
paradise. 1 gave not one regretful
thought to my old companionships, al
though I had numbered among my
friends some Of the best fellows in town,
and had been very fond of society.
Then the little ones came, and they
were welcome; but troubles in the shape
Of accidents, illness, constant and petty
cares. came with them.
Jack, our eldest, was now seven; Tom,
five; Alice. our fairy little girl, three;
and the little crib in the room up stairs
held rosy beauty who did nothing but
sleep.
Tom and Jack, however, were healthy,
energetic and consequently troublesome.
Mary managed them with firm hand
until scarlet fever took up its pestilent
abode with us ornearly two months:
Mary grew thin and white with
watching and anxiety, for our two noble,
handsome boys are her idols; and since
the fever left them with many a little
ailment which could only be removed
with care and time, the tender-hearted
woman had forgotten almost everything
but their welfare.
Hence the cook had her own sweet
will, not only in the kitchen, but about
the house, and, to tell the truth, it was
neither comfortable nor pleasant for me.
Only the day before, the doctor had
said that the boys would require
constant attention all through the
winter. What was to be done, there
fore, but submit to its verdict? The
consequence was that a,e my meals de-
prived of the light of Mary's scourtenancc
that Mary herself was growing more
and more hollow-eyed. and looked no
longer like the neat, trim little lady. so
anxious to be the ali-in-all in a hus-
bands partial eyes.
IF I only had sister or an aunt" "
she often said, "you would not re so
lonely; but you married woman with
out relations"
For which-though did not tell her
SOL hope I am reas sonably thankful.
One morning-by-thr-by it was the
very morning I had read the advertise
ment- my wife came painting to the
table, smiling cherub in her arms, and
sat down to her cold coffee trying to
smile. l had marked the advertise
ment in the Item with my pencil, and
now laid it before her. She read it,
and her face frightened.
"What do you think of seeing this
woman?" l asked. Isle only seems to
want home during the hard times, and
we are able to afford that, hope: II
she can oversee the house and legislate'
the cook, and give you more time to at
tend to the boys-your humble servant
includes himself"-I added, laughing,
"what blessing she will bem
II dislike to think OF stranger COM
ing to the house. said Mary.
$50 do /; but, remember, in a little
time she will no longer be a stranger
besides, if she is capable woman, she
will take entire charge of the premises.
Of course, we needn't have her if we
don't like her appearance or her refer
ences."
After a few more talks Mary concluded
% send for the woman, and, accordingly
DISPATCHED letter as the advertisement
required.
"Well," said my wife, on my return
that day, "she came, she saw, she con-
quered."
"Rather Cesarean," said I. II trust
she is not general in petticoats. Tel
me all about it," and seated mysel
opposite the c0zy sitting-room fire, be
ginning 70 oreau tne 1ntrusloD VI d tlllI'
party. >.
"She came here about noon." sale
Mary. "a peculiar, prim looking wo
man, in a plain traveling-dress. Hel
'face and manner prepossessed me in hel
favor, and, according to her own ac
count. she certainly is very capable
person. Only think that she can play
the harp and piano, and is very wei
educatedm
"Worse and worse" thought I; ant
then said aloud: "Rut what about refer
ences?"
Her principal reference is Judg'
Nelson, and he lives in Ohio"
"All right. );now his brother yer.
well; he is practicing lawyer here
I'll write to the judge and speak to th'
advocate, and between them both W.
shall probably get satisfactory certifi
cate"
The funniest mart of this yeraciou