The Canton advocate. [volume] (Canton, D.T. [S.D.]) 1877-1897, 1881-05-05

ooh, Morris, what am I to dor" she
cried. ''The chamber-work I might
manage myself, but the waiting! And
with twelve people tonight"
At this, Essie Hooper spoke up:
"Could 1 do it?' said she, wistfully.
II am in need of employment of some
kind"
"You?" cried Mrs. Mills. "But you
are a lady,"
"But why can't 1 be waitress, too?"
said Essie. Unjust do something to earn
my living"
"You are a darlingw said Mrs. Nor
ris Mills, with kiss. "And / do be-
lieve Providence has sent you straight
here to help me out of my dilemma.
Put on that big apron, and I'll show
you about the china closets at once"
1t was hard work, but after all, as
Essie confessed to herself, it was not
unpleasant. Miss Earle, the Boston
beauty, turned up her Grecian nose at
her, and old Mrs. Hallowell was per-
petually finding fault because Esther
didn't come quickly enough to her
call, while Mr.. Miggs, the vegetarian,
harangued her on the proper prepare
ton of'salads, and Mrs Jetsam and
her daughters treated her as if she
were the dust beneath their dainty
French-booted feet. The tirst-class
cook who had been imported, was
found senseless beneath the wash tubs,
one day, with black bottle clasped
tenderly in her arms, and Mrs. Mills
was compelled. perforce, to take her
place, while Essie assumed the double
duties of chambermaid and waitress.
"What a very remarkable specimen
of the New England..young person that
waitress woman isl" said Miss Earle,
one day, with a giggle, to Mr.. Gerald
the young theologian, whom she had
incidentally discovered to be rich and
of fine old family.
eyes," said Mr.. Gerald. 81 think she
is rather remarkable"
Breads Hiawatha on the back door
step when the dishes are washed" said
Miss Earle. "Has collection Of rare
dried ferns on the kitchen dresser, and
trimmed a hat for Mrs. Mills as il
Madame Navarro herself had trimmed
it. Are all the farm house mattresses
like this?'
81 don't think they are" said Mrs
Gerald.
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 Pm
quite willing to divide the profits witt
you-that is, if you'll promise to stay
here and help me through the winter
The Thompsons are going to stay, anc
old Mrs. Hallowell, and"
IL am afraid I cannot stay" sale
Elsie coloring and looking down.
"You are not going back to dress
making?" said Mrs. Mills.
"No," said Elsie 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, | am going tc
be married.
"Well, I declare p cried Mrs. Mills
upon her brain. Not to old Mr.
Miggs?"
"Of course not
MIR. Pepper, the clerk IN the bank?
'Do you think l would marry him.
almost Indignantly retorted Essie.
Then it is-it must be Mr. Gerald.
And Essie could only hide her face
on her friends shoulder, and shed j.;
few happy tears.
But my dear, he's rich" said Mrs
Mills.
eyes, I know it," said Essie.
"And he belongs to one of the bes
families in the state"
"Yes"
"And Miss Earle has been laying
steady siege to his heart ever since h
came into the house," added Mrs. Mills
81 don't know anything about that,
said Essie. 81 only know that he love:
me-"
And so our courageous little heroin,
passed out Of the world Of trials anc
troubles into woman's truest element
that of beloved wife.
And Miss Earle thought it was very
strange-she believed that society was
all upside down nowadays.