The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1879-08-27
how AN ADVERTISEMENT WAS ANSWERED

"a middle-aged lady would like 10
become housekeeper in small fami y
during the winter months. No wages
required; best of references given"
This singular advertisement met my
eyes one morning while l sat alone ~
the breakftst-table, reading the Ddty
ITEM.
Two of the children were sick, az
inefficient servant added to our trouble,
my wife's health had nearly given waS
under her housekeeping cares, and every
thing seemed to me on that special
morning going to the dogs.
My situation was Il 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 sweetA women, not only
in face, expression and manners, but in
taste, in dress. and all the etceteras that
make a mans home the best place this
side of heaven. She thoroughly enjoyed
everything that I-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 my old companionships, al
though l had numbered among my
friends some of the best fellows in town,
and bad 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 a 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 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 it's verdictP The
consequence was that my meals de
prived of the light of Mary's countenanc'
that Mary herself was growing more
and more hollow-eyed, and looked NJ
lenger like the neat, trim little lady, 81
anxious to be the alljn-all in hus
bands partial eyes.
eff l only had "a sister or an aunt,
she often said, "you would not DE Sc
lonely; but you married a woman with
out relations"
For which-though did not tell he
SOL hope l am Il NJ Onably thankful.
One morning-by-thc- it vast
very morning 1 had read the advertise
ment- my wife came painting to tn
table, smiling cherub in her arms, an
sat down tosher cold coffee trying
smile. l had marked the advertise
ment in the Item with my pencil, an
now L laid it before her. She read il
and her face frightened.
"What do you think of seeing thi
womanPn l asked. "She only seems
want home during the hard times, an