The Newtown bee., 1879-09-10
how AN ADVERTISEMENT Was ANSWERED.

"a middle-aged lady would like to
become housekeeper in Il 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 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 in
taste, in dress, and all the etceteras that
side of heaven. She thoroughly enjoyed
everything that l did-art, music. liter
ature, and, during the first two years of
our married life, we were literally in
paradise. l gave not one regretful
thought to NY old comprehensive, al
though | 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 fornearly 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 little
ailment which could only be removed
with care and time, the ender-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
constant attention all through the
winter. What was to be done, there
fore, but submit to it's verdict The
consequence was that / a,e my meals de-
prived of the light OF Mary's countenance
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 all-in-all in a hus-
bands partial eyes.
If / only had sister or an aunt
she often said, "you would not pc so
lonely; but you married a woman with
out relations"
For which-though I did not tell her
sol hope am reas onably thankful.
One morning-by-thc-b it was the
very morning / had read the advertise
ment- my wife came painting to the
+able, a 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
womanp" / asked. "She only seems O
want a home during the hard times, and
we are able to afford that, / hope. If
the can oversee the house and legislate
the cook, and give you more time to at
send to the boys-your humble servant
includes himself"-I added. laughing,
what blessing she will bel'
dislike to think of a stranger COM
ing to the house." said Mary.
$50 do i; but, remember, in little
time she no longer will be 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 few more talks Mary concluded
20 send for the woman, and, accordingly,
dispatched letter as the advertisement
required.
"Well,n said my wife, on my return
that day, "she came, she saw, She con-
quered."
Rather Cesarean," said /. II trust
she is not general in petticoats. Tell
me all about it," and / seated myself
opposite the cozy sitting-room fire, be-
ginning to dread the intrusion of a third
party.
She came here about noon" said
Mary. "a peculiar, prim looking wo-
man, in a plain traveling-dress. Her