The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1880-08-21
OTTAWA FREE TRADER; SATURDAY, AUGUST 81. $780,
fecled, that am by no means accustomed to

fecled, that am by no means accustomed t.
such work, nor have | any desire 10 becom
so"
I Cannot You allow me TO assist you =" adde,
> Tom, politely. II was brought up on farm
aud have often washed dishes and made my
self generally useful in the Kitchen
u "IOu!" exclaimed Adele IN such an aston
; ishcd tone that Tom could not forbcar laugh
ing.
"les, certainly; why ~ asked Tom.
1 "Oh, | don't knOw-Only | thOught--yOl
never did anything stammcrcd Adele; ther
cndeavOrlHg To seem AT ease, she said; "les
if you Will help, take the teakette INTO thu
kitchen and set 1t on the stove"
Tom seized the kettle, and, throwing open
the door leading to the kitchen, was crossing
the room towards the stove, when his progress
was arrested by the sudden appearance Of Ida
from store-rOom beyond. If Adele looked
sovenly and dishcveled, what shall we say OF
| Ida? an old dress, dirty and torn, slippers
run down at the heel and burst out at the sides
no collar nor ruflle, very little hair, instead OF
the magnificent tresseS he had often admired,
and what there was hung unCOmbed about
her face. No wonder that Tom stared in blank
establishment
A heavy frown took the place of the usual
smile, as She curly babe him good morning.
Tom muttercd an apology Tor his intrusion AS
he deposited his burden on the stove, and
turned to rctrace his steps just as Violet en-
tered the dinng.roOm. She did not see him,
but addressing Ida, said;
Run away now, Ida dear, and dress before
callers come for you. | have already sent
Adele mp stairs and will finish the dishes now
that have done my sweeping"
"Iou have been long enough about it.,
hone - plultprpI Ida nnuTarIpusIV lint
theless avaiing herself of her sisters offer with
much celebrity. Here are the dish.towcIs VIC
Iel," she said, extending several greasy, black
ened articles 70 the yOuHg girl.
Tom stood medltatlHg an escape; not an
easy affair, aS the sisters stood directly IN his
path but at the word dlsh.towes he involun-
tariy stopped and glanced around.
"NowOnder my grandmother cautioned me, -
was ms first thought, as the soIlcd towel met
his sight, and he hastily approved the look of
disgust which crossed Niolct's iaCe AS she laid
them aside, and opening drawer she took from
it splendid supply, soft ana clean.
Ida and Adele had both disappeared, and
Tom vcnturcd to renew his offer of assistance
to Violet, who started little, AS she for the
first time noticed his presence. But she re
covered her composurc at once and quietly an
swored as she deity filled the dish-pan with
clean, hot suds
mo, thank you Mr. Meredith | shall do
very well without assistance. My sisters have
not left very much for me to do You had
better walk into the parlor, and they will soon
join yOu."
mo, indeed" replied Tom, a will take my.
self out of the way, with apologies for my un
timely intrusion, unless you will really let me
be OF some service And believe me, he add. |
ed, earnestly with an admiring glance at the |
neat figure tripping so lightly about the kItch-
IN, and mentally contrasting her with her two
sisters, you will make me happy by allowing
NE to help YOU
"Oh, very we'll" SAID Violet smiling and
bnshlnga little, us she met his gaze. "lf you |
arc really in need Of employment | will try |
and provide some for you. Suppose you set
hose dishes on the lower shelf as wash them
hen can arrange them after all are done"
Tom obeyed, and was rewarded by being al.
owed to bring Il hod of coal from the cellar
md do various other little crrands, during
which time he was noticing the ncatness and
llspatch with which Violet worked and was
specially obscrvant Of the clean, dry dlsh-tow-
as, and The skill with which, when done using |
hem she washed and scaidcd and hung them
o dry.
lie declined the invitation to dinner, given
~ Mrs. Renshaw when she came in and found
nm assisting Violet, and made his way direct
y to llarrys Office
81 have made my choice at last, Harry" he
ut is one who would even suit
ny grandmother
might inquire who the fortunate damsel
So asked Harry, laying down his book; "and
low are you sure of yourrcvercnd grandmoth-
rs approval?'
Tom told his mornings experience, con.
,ludIng with:
"lf she will only accept me | shall be the
lappiest man alive, and all owing to my dear
I'D grandmohers advice"