Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-05-06
! g.
NO 1OS.
Gales ano Skettbes.
MRS. GEORGE.

1 repeal again. and to myself, Mrs.
George is an admirable housekeeper and
a very superior woman. Her eyes are
sparkling and penetrating, her hair ripples
and waves like that of child. am
ahem m.-almost charmed with Mrs. George.
Not only are the eyes of Mrs. George ex-
tremely penetrating, but her conception
Of character is something marvellous. l
confess was astonished when she laid be-
fore me the painful delinquencies of my
two old servants.
Starkey and Tom had lived with me
fourteen years, but upon the advent Of
this admirable woman suddenly learned
| was being plucked. that half my meats
were taken off TO poor relatives, that the
cat was not answerable for my butchers
inflated bills and that the dog has lived
very comfortably ON table leaving since
then. 1t is very plain that Mrs. George
is an immensely superior woman. liked
her frank way of speaking about the fur
niture.
"A gentleman in your condition and of
your appearance" yes. she was pleased to
say, of your should not he
shabbi!y furnished, sir. Not that I care.
Formyseli. three-ply and walnut or even
chestnut; but for these delightful rooms,
Turkey, sir, with brilliant colors. and Il
set, sir, in satin and guilt
Well, of course had the parlorr thor
oughly refurnished, and laid neat new
Brussels in Mrs. Georges own room. To
see that lovely woman's gratitude! il was
beautiful.
Thus was soliloquizing early one
morning over my eggs and toast when
Mrs. George came gliding in with the airy
grace of a sylph. never saw sylph in
my life, but am sure that is the proper
thing to say.
Really, Mrs. George" said l, warmly,
and diamond solitaire glittercd before
my mental vision, or perhaps should say
sentimental vision. But how was man
to hold out against the charms of such
woman. with taper fingers and gentle,
downcast eyes and such blessed notions
of the beauty of domestic life ?''
81 trust your breakfast pleased you,
sir"
Upon my word, Mrs. George" said,
her bcwildering eyes smiling into mine,
IL was never so charmed in my life.''
She blushed. What had said to bring
that exquisite dye to her cheek ! grew
frightened and backed away from the Ia
bic pulling on my gloves.
GLOW soon do you 90, sIrP" she asked,
rising, her slender fngers playing with a
| little chain that relieved the dead black OF
her dress.
II leave in twenty minutes, Mrs.
George
And so you are to be gone all day
am l correct, Mr.. Haynes"
nodded.
'As you are to be gone all day, and J.
invariably see to such things myself,
would you leave the key of the safe with
me9 The silver has long been in the need
Of securing. and you really should net be
| so cXtravagant rs to send it to silver
smith for that purpose, as most gentlemen
do. Ihave wonderful powder-my dear
| old mother gave me the recipe; for. in
deed, sir''--a plaintive tenderness gliding
into her pathetic tones-''we have had
silver in our family; my mother was a
Hancock
She paused. My glance, l trust, was
full of sympathy.
Eyes, sir; Hancock. But reverses.
sir. sad reverses. swept everything away"
with stately wave Of her white hand.
| ''The powder is invaluable. / might
could ! condescend. make my fortune
with it. DO you think you had better
leave the key, orr drawing her figure up,
| ''will you take the silver"
Mrs. George. Ibeg-lIere are the keys,
Mrs. George"
There was $4,000 in that safe, and
detached the key of the money-drawer.
| "Thank you; you will hardly know
your plate Tomorrow" she said, with
pretty. laughing lips.
''Pray, pray wrap up well 1t is snch y
windr,
| Thump went my heart.
"You will be home--whenp always
prefer to have an explicit understanding.
| so that everything may be in readiness. -
Tomorrow at II, Mrs. George" was
my reply, wondering how it would seem
to kiss pair of lips Just as dewy and pout-
ing as hers: and then tore myself from
the temptation, shook hands with Mrs
George, and left the house
"Straws show which way the wind
blows" says the old adage. II is my
opinion that hats occasionally do that little
favor for mankind. At least mine took
the liberty to do so that morning
] had now ten minutes in which to
reach the B. station. The depot was
only few squares distant, and / was
WdlkIDk as cohiOTtaDIv as cOulu, Drdc'
ing myself against the wind, when a
sweeping gust came round the corner
Something was lifted from my head il
was my hat.
My first impulse was to look round to
see If anybody was laughing Away:
laugh myself at flying hat-and then
betook myself to sport. The hat only
ambled. was sure to catch it. It lodged
against gate-post; my hand was almost
on it, when the twin to that other gusl
camel racing along, and of went my hat
1t was very early, and there were but few
people abroad. heard now and then :
faint laugh. A scurvy little urchin sans
out, "go it, boots - A Hibernian maid
carrying large parcel in small paper
cried, .sSure tie hats leading that man (
chase 2" but on went. breathless, cha
grined and mad. Up Oak Street. down
Green. across Maple and through Cherr,
that confounded hat led me. now doubling
and fluttering almost under my nose nov
gyrating with cxultant motion that dumb
" expressed the jubilee Of uncontrollxbl
ljollity; now whirling into somebody
garden; now whisking round . barber
pole; now hobbling along the edge of
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