The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1881-05-14

tumnlt over their toys, and the bird:
were singing in the woods, Essie':
mind was busy with the ever-recurring
question, "What am | to do? What
is going to become of me?" Aunt
Jocasta had not been much help tC
her, but she was something to cling
to-and now she was gone.
81 might sell stencil-plates," she
thought, dreamily, to herself, "or
turn book agent, or look out for Il
place in the woelen factories. But ]
am not very strong, and | am afraid
| have not courage and enterprise
enough to make my living as gen.
teel peddler. Oh. dear-oh, dear
| don't see what Twas put into this
world for" aHf Fst
u And quiet tear or two trickled
down her check and dropped noise
lessly into the bowl of hot water
whercwith she was assisting Mrs.
Mills to wash the dishes.
At sunset the young farmer him.
self came home-a stalwart, hearty
k-bearded specimen of humanity.
"Well, Polly" he said, as he ac-
knowledged the introduction to Essie
Hooper with a kindly nod, "Pve
engaged first class cook for you-a
woman that has had lots of expert
ence in Newport hotels, ard wants
to come up among the mountains for
change of air; 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 per week."h2 zaa2
Mrs. Mills blooming couatehance
fell visibly. stss
ooh, Morris, what am i to do?" she
cried. The chamber-work | might
manage myself, but the waitingl
And with twelve people coming to-
night" cs7ossn
AT this Essie Hooper spoke up:
"Could | do itY' she said, wisifully.
II am in need of employment. of
some kind. ssa i1sJf
"You?" cried Mrs. Mills. 4But
you are a lady" a. 7eSF ri
''But why can't ] be a waitress,
too?" said Essie. Il must do some
thing to earn my living" $3.50
"Tou are a darling" said Mrs.
Morris Mills, with kiss. "And |
do believe Providence has sent you
here to help me out of my dilemma.
Put on that big apron, and ! Ill show
you about the ehina-closets at once. "
1t was hard work, but after all, as
Essie' confessed to her. not unpleas-
ant. MissEarIe, the Boston beauty,
turned up her Grecian Iiese ather,
and old Mrs. Hallowell was perpetu-
ally finding fault because Essie
didn't come quickly enough at her
call, while Mr.. Miggs, the vegetarian,
harangned her ON the proper prepa-
ration Of salads, and Mrs. Jetsam and
her daughter treated her. as if she
were the dust beneath their dainty,
French-booted feet. The frst-class
cook who had beer. imported was
found senseless beneath the wash.tub,
with black bottle clasped tenderly
in her arms: and.Nlrs, Mills was com
PEELED perforce to, take her place,
while Essie assumed the duties of
chambermaid id-@aitress. -.
What a remarkable specimen of
the New England young person that
waitress-woman ist' sail Miss Earle,
one day, with giggle, to Mr. Gerald,
the ypang theologian, whom she had
incidentally discovered to be rich and
of a fine old family.
Yes said Mr.. Gerald, Il think
she is rather remarkable.
Breads Hiawatha on the back
doorstep when the dishes are washed, ?
said Miss Earle. iis'Has collection
Of rare dried ferns on the kitchen
dresser, and trimmed a lat for Mrs.
Mills as if Madame Navarro herself
had trimmed it. Are all farmhouse
mattresses like this one ?" II
81 don't think they are" said Mr.
Gerald. ~
When the summer was over Mrs.
Mills counted up her gains gleefuliy.
"We've made a success of it, my
DEAR" said she to Essie. "And I'm
quite willing to divide the profits with
you-that is, if you will promise to
stay here and help me through the
winter. The Thompsons are going to
stay, and old Mrs. HallOwell, and
III am afraid / couldn't stay"
said Essis coloring.
"Yon are not acipg back to dress
said Mrs. Mills.
@No,s said Essie, In low voice.