South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1881-08-05
But while MIG Mills was chattin!

DlTOS NGlS SltiS1hS III lllS HOOtto, L1o-
sizes mind was busy with the ever-re'
curing question, What am I to do :?
What is going to become OF me {?
Aunt Jocasia had not been much of a
help to her, butshe was something to
cling to-and nov she too, was gone.
i might sellSstencil-plates,' she
thought dreaniilH, to herself, 'or turn
book agent, ordlSS out for place in
the wooden facto5es. But I am not
SO very stronsband I am afraid l
have net ce9rSse ard enterprise
enough te nsakeiiy living as a genteel
peddEes. Oh, deT-oh, dear I don't
see what I was PCT into this world for
And a quiet tear or two trickled
|AdownL her -1hGRss sfSnd zdEonnel noise
lessly Into the bowl OF hot water
wherewith she Was assisting Mrs.
Mills to wash the supper dishes:
At sunset the young farmer himself
camc homc-a stalwart, hearty, black
boarded specimen Of humanity.
We'll, Polly he said, as he acknowl-
edged the introduction to Essie Hoop
or with a kindly nod, I've engaged q
tirst-class cook for you-a woman that
has had lots of experience in Newport
hotels, and wants to come up among
the mountains Tor change Of air; but
as Tor mattresses and chambcrmaids,
there wasn't one would consent to
leave the city limits, though offered
'em as high as two dollars week.
Mrs. Mills blooming countenancc
fell visibly.
Oh, Morris, what am I to do p she
cried. The chambcr-work | might
manage myself, but the waiting Aud
with twelve people coming tonight !
At this, Essie Hooper spoke mp:
Gould do it 2 said she wistfully.
/ am in need of employment Of some
kiad.'
You p cried Mrs. Mills. But you
are lHdy.'
But why can't I be 4 waitress, too?'
said Essic. 4 must do something to
earn my living
You are darlingr said Mrs, Morris
Mills, with kiss. And do believe
Providence has sent you straight here
to help lie out of my dilemma. Put
on tlut big apron, and I'll show You
about the ina-closct5 at once
1t was hard work, but, after all, as
Essic confessed to herself, it WAS not
unpleasant:-~ Az = ? Es:sl, the Boston
beauty, turned Ep her Grcclan nose at
her, and old Mrs. lIaIloweIl WAS per,
pctually finding fault because Esther
didn't come quickly enough to her call,
while MIR. Miggs, the vegetarian, la-
rangucd her on the proper pTcpara-
ton of salads, and Mrs. Jctsilm and
her daughters treated her as if she
were the Iust beneath their dainty
French booted feet. The frst-class
cook, who had been imported, was
found sensclcss bcueath tie wash tubs,
one day, with black bottle claspcd
tenderly in her arms, and Mrs. Mills
WAS compelled, pertorcc, to take her
place, while Essie assumed the double
duties of chambermaid waitress.
What very remarkable specimen
of the New England young person
that waitress woman is said Mrs
Earl, one dny, with ~ giggIe, to Mr..
Gerald, the young theologian, whom
she had incidentally discovered to be
rich and of fine old family.
Yes said MIR. Gerald, 4 think she
is rather remarkable
'Reads IIiawatha on the back door
step when the dishes are washed, said
Miss Earle. 'IIns collection Of rare
dried ferns on the kitchen dresser,
and trimmed hat for Mrs. Mills rs
if Madame Navarro herself had trim.
med it. Are all farm house waitress
es like this p
4 don't think they arc" said Mr..
Gcrsl1.
When The summer was over, Mrs. Mills
counted up her gains gleefully.
We've made a success Of it, my dear,
said she to Essie: And I'm willing to
divide the profits with you-that is, il
you'll promise to stay here and help me
through the winter. The Thompsons
are going to stay, and Old Mrs. Halo
we'll. and
IL am afraid couldn't stay said
Esaie, coloring and downcast.
You are not going back to dress.
making p said Mrs. Mills.
No. said Essie, in low voice.
Have you any other place in view?'
urged the farmers wife.
'No-that is, yes confessed Essie.
TO tell you the truth, 1 am going 10
be married.
well, I declare,' cried Mrs. Mills, 6
sudden lls5e of light breaking in upon
her brsiu. Not 10 old Miggs:'
'Of course not.
~ Il