The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1881-05-11

gagged the top room, and an old gentleman
Who is wild about trout. So we're likely to
be full enough bye-and-bye. But just tonight
we've plenty Of room.
Bdt while Mrs. Mills was chattering on and
the children were making merry tumult over
their toys, and the birds were singing in the
woods, Essie's mind was busy with the ever
recurring question, what am TO do ?
What is to become of me Il" Aunt Jocasta
had not been much Of help 10 her, bnt she
was something to cling to--and how she too
was gone.
az might sell stencil. plates" she thought,
dreamly, to herself, " or turn book agent, or
look out for place In the wooden factories
But am not so very strong and | am afraid
have not courage and enterprise enough to
earn my living as a genteel peddlsr Oh,
dear--oh, dear Idon't see what I was put
Into this world for
cheek and dropped noiselessly into the bowl
of hot water wherewith she was assisting Mrs.
Mills to wash the supper dishes.
! At sunset the young farmer himself came
home--a stalwart, hearty, black bearded
specimen of humanity.
''Well, Polly" he said, as he acknowledge
ed the introduction to Essie Hooper, with q
kindly nod, "I've engaged firstclass cook
for you--a woman that has had lots Of ex-
perience in Newport hotels, and wants to
come up in the mountains for change of air I;
but as for Mattresses and chambermaids, there
wasn't one would consent to leave the city
limits, though offered them as high as two
dollars q week."
Mrs. Mills blooming countenanco fell
visibiy So. 80
"0h, Morris, what am | to DOE" She
cried. "The chamber.work might manage
myself, but the waiting And with twelve
people coming tomorrow /"
At this Esse Hooper spoke up
"Could do itp" she said, wistfully.
am in need of employment of some kind"
You ?" cried Mrs. Mills Bit you are
4 lady"
"Bit Why Gait l be waitress, too9"
said Essie. ~ must do something to earh
my living"
"You are dariing,' said Mrs. Morris
Mills, with kiss. " And do believe Provi-
dence has sent you straight here to help me
out of my dilemma. Put oh that big apron,
and I'll show you about the china-closets at
once.''
It was hard work, but after all, as Essie
confessed to herself, not unpleasant. Miss
Earle, tho Boston beauty, turned ZIP her nose
| at Mar and old Mrs Han------ as perpetii-
cry ai,sssa NUT because Esther didn't come
quickly enough at her call, while Mr.. Miggs,
the vegetarian, harangued her on the proper
preparation of salads, and Mrs. Jetsam and
her daughter treated her as il she were the
dust beneath their dainty, French booted
feet. The first class cook who had been inn
ported 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
maid waitress.
"Wbat very remarkable specimen of the
New England young person that waitress
woman is 3" SO i'd Miss Earle one day. with a
gggle, to Mr.. Gerald, the young theologian,
whom she had incidentally discovered to be
rich aud Of fine old family.
Yes" said Mr.. Gerald, ~ think Che is
rather remarkable"
Reads Hiawatba on the back doorstep
when the dishes are washed" said Miss Earle
Has a collection of rare dried ferns on the
kitchen dresser. and trimmed hat for Mrs
Mills as if Madame Navarro herself had
trimmed it. Are all tks farmhouse mattresses
like this one2''
~ don't think they are,' said Mr.. Gerald.
When the summer was over, Mrs. Mills
counted Up her gains gleefully.
"We've made success of it, my DEAR
said she to Essie. 'sAnd I'm quite willing to
divide the profits with you-that is, If you'll
promise to stay here and help me through the
winter. The Thompsons are going 10 stay,
and old Mrs. Hallowell, and
ell am afraid couldn't stay" said
Essie, coioring.
"You are not going back to dressmaking9"
said Mrs. Mills.
"No," said Essie, in low voice.
"Have you any other place IN view p"
urged the farmers wife.
stNo-that is yes" confessed Essie. "To
tell you the truth, am going to be married"
"Well, declare 4" cried Mrs. Mills, a
sudden blaze Of tight breaking In upon her
brain. ssNot to old Mr.. Miggsa"
"Of course not"
MIR. Pepper, the clerk in the bank ?"
Do you think would marry himf" al
most Indignantly retorted Essie.
"Then it is-it must be MI. Gerald"
And Essie could only hide Ter face on her
friends shodlder, and shed few happy tears.
But, my dear, he's rich," said Mrs. Mills.
Eyes, know it." said Essie. !.
And he belongs to one of the best families
in the State"
! eyes"
And Miss Earle has been laying steady
siege to his heart ever since be came into the
house," added Mrs. Mills.
II don't know anything about that" said
Essie. II only know that be loves me-"
| And SO our courageous little heroine passed
| a,t ~ ti,a xyorid ,f frials and tfnrYRtaa into