The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1881-12-10
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A House-Hunting Experience.

X
Mrs. Joshua Maclane was a very busy
n,m,n Watts honey-bee ism circum-
,,,nce to her. Joshua Maclane would say,
with = smile 1t was not Il smile Of deri-
>ioo but very satisfied, for he was busy
man. and this clement Of activity in his
rrtper was Il source Of intense satisfaction.
Asa result of Mrs Maclanes $ activity,
he had great deal to do. for society learn
81 lone AGO that. as a rule, if it wants any
thing done. it is safest to 90 to a busy
nprson to get it done. Drones never learn
executive ability. As natural sequence,
Mrs Maclanc was president Of associations,
secretary Of societies, visitor at institutions,
chairman Of committees, on whom most OF
thc work fell. and power in society as well
as her own home.
To such busy people there come days
when executive ability is taxed to the ut
most. The vaied duties do not spread
Themselves neatly over a given space, but
come like troubles, in battalions.
One Of these days, and one of these hours
mthedav. had come to Mrs. Joshua Maclane.
She was sewing. watching her children, and
entertaining neighbor, when the tide tin.
Anotc came. begging her, as president Of a
relief association. to examine the creden-
ras of a suffering applicant immediate
". Another came, begging her to visit
family in extreme destitution at once. A
servant entered. saying that the seamstress
could not proceed further without orders;
and directly behind the servant came Harry
NacL.ne. with note from his teacher stat
mg that he was sent home because he COM
planned of sore throat, and was feverish.
With mothers instinct, the minor duties
waited while Mrs. Maclane examined the
chiId's throat. She was thus engaged when
her husbands brother entered with a tele-
gam.
~Itis from Joshua, he explained. "He
says there is a house for sale up town that
Apwants You to look at Immediately. drop
vyeything he telcgraphs, and look after
it,.
Mrs, Joshua Maclane knitted her brow,
and the ncighbor smiled, but she said, kind
y. If there is any way can assist you, |
hope YOU will allow me-
Instead of dropping everything, | don t
see how anything can be dropped, said
Mrs Maclne, meditatively. She took a
medicine case, and as she prepared some
medicine for her sick child, said to the wait
ing servant Tell the seamstress to sew on
the sheets in the closet until | am at liber-
H. keep such plain work for emergen-
ces, She explained to her neighbor. Now
must put Harry in a room by himself
until | know whether his illness is conta-
sious. and cannot leave him. | will at
tend to the case down stairs as soon as Har
TN comfortable"
Tan | visit the poor family?" volun-
teered her neighbor.
Il shall be very grateful, replied Mrs,
Aaclme. Then she turned to her brother
m-hw.
Hal, can't look after the house. 1t
would be great favor if you could do it. J."
But began the brother-in-law.
Mrs. MacIane interrupted him. "You
Know our needs and tastes, too, almost as
well as We do ourselves. You know we
Want house similar to this, but larger
Observe The paper, the paint and the walls.
be sure to find out if there are plenty OF
closets, and, above all things, notice if there
are any signs of sewer gas.
The lack of wisdom in sending boy to
do mans work has passed into proverb,
answered Henry Maclane. II fear you will
md 1t equally unwise to send a man to do
woman work.
a little practice in house-hunting may
ne Of service to you in the future, suggest
ed the neighbor pleasantly.
Bachelor halls are very dreary places,
n N ny way of thinking" replied Henry
Nacane, gravely "A home that is home
needs wife.
PRECISELY said the neighbor. "Wife
aa home were in my thoughts when | sug-
s7S'ed the acquisition of knowledge for fu-
tnre use.
Henry Maclane shrugged his shoulders,
''lu gave his head a negative shake. "YOu
wouldn't advise a man who had civil en-
Suleerng before him to learn to be a jewel
T | suppose?"
d. NO; but would advise man who had
NV G,p engineering or anything else before
I'LL. lln not to cast away a jewel if he should
stumble across one. Diamonds always re-
Pay :, Tor the setting" The neighbor said it
F.g S'tIl intent, evidently, giving expressive
"''IG IG mods as she talked.
Henry Maclane smiled. IL am afraid
y iou[ VI diamond is a manufactured one. Put
" " Nle test, it would turn out like the Scotch
rnenllst r. s-a crystallized silicate, and not
pure carbon"
, a. As ne passed out, the neighbor said with
II punt; Your brother-in-law is incorrigi-
wb NJ, There is that good Miss Anderson
,nJ ny : would make him such a good wife,
r.Il H | Know she worships the ground he
b;s AS on Is there any old love that fills
tbo Hlind and heart to the exclusion of all
aIT IlT1,teresting ladies of our set ?"
OGo1 I've :, never knew of any love affair, re-
,nt sbnaI, Dlrs Maclane, in confidential tone,
man : nave my suspicious. He was yonng
eoIaaI H. ~ The time Of our civil war, and, as a
swoS sVnsl, did good service. Attached to his
vtI g,u IS curl of light Aaxen hair tied on
tell -. due ribbon. | once begged him to
ansxas s 'ne story of the golden lock, but he
70 TN a1'eo quietly, that there was nothing