Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-09-30
ONLY FOR FUN, AND WHAT
CAME OF IT.
By AMY RANDOLPH.

"How be you this mornin', Squire Dun
nin'?"
"Oh, middlin', Miss Patty; middlin' Haint
quite so spry as I was twenty-odd years ago:
but hold on a bit and I'll help you down." And
/ so saying, aldermanic 81. Dunning reached I'D a
large fat hand and eased Miss Patty's descent
! from the One-hOrse shay that old Doane was
Juggling at, evidently not wishing to tarry. for
| she seemed instinctivey to conclude that if
Miss Patty stopped there was no telling when
she would resume her journey.
You see. though Miss Patty was a good old
soul as ever lived, she was very much given to
harmless gossiping, and she generally tarried
/ long at the whine when she began to talk over
! her own troubles and trials.
Miss Patty was. as she herself expressed It,
nigh onto sixty. and. In fact she had admitted
the same thing for number of years. so that
most folks put her at seventy or thereabOuts
Just now Miss Patty was i'm peck of trouble
she had come down from the Roseleaf farm I'm
| search of female help
Mrs. Dunning, the hotel-keeper's wife came
out to greet the new conner, being always glad
to see the tidy old body, especially as Miss
Patty Sl0cumS butter was the best for miles
around. and she always made 1t point to bring
some along with her.
Just now Uncle ST., as most people called him,
was grunting over the three-gallOn of butter
| cup yellow creamery.
Mrs. Cunning relieved the butter maker of
her basket of eggs, and she herself gathered up
a bunch OF garden sass. and brought up in the
rear as the trio trudged through tie garden ans
around to the ample hotel Kitchen Miss Patty
remarking. as they were passing the side
piazza:
1--we got to have some help somehow or
other. I've inquired all the way along, but
girls seem to be mighty scarce; alters the way
these days. when you want 'em to do a bit of
work they are no where around. If it warn't
for this rheumatis now" but right here Miss
Pattys voice was lost she turned the corner
of the great house Though lost to view. she
was indelibly stamped on the memory of the
group OF girls that sat on the front piazza some
| In low wicker rockers, one in hammock swing
ing lazily, another halt sitting on the railing
her saucy face half hid by the luxuriant wood
bine that clambered up to the second story.
| say, girls. come here every one of YOU"
and the face that had been peeping from the
woodbine came into full view and the dainty
muslin-clad body sailed down the steps, and
four others. not at all alike. but every one more
or less pretty. followed after her arOdnd the
west side of the house. and within hearing of all
| that was said in the kitchen
| Mum is the word. now, girls. and don't one
OF you give an audible smile for your life. l
| think the party in that immense sunbOnnetA
shaker suppose you'd call it's case: an
original, too; and want to hear what she is
going to do about her help. She makes me
think of old Aunt Hannah. up at the Springs.
This old body is just such gO-ahead- sharp as
| q cricket, and. except for her rheumatis, would
be equal to half dozen such girls as you and
me-"
When the girls had reached the desired spot.
right under high window that opened out of
the butterv, that was Mrs Dunninrs pride and
a marvel of convenience, by the by they all sat
| down on a long wooden bench that was under
great OyerhanGing lilac bushes lust now laden
with immense clusters of the lovely perfumed
| blossoms.
Rose Stoneleigh. the leader of the croup. mt
one diinped finger up to her lips and the others
In follow your leader" style each raised finger
| ana they were quiet mice. Presently
| through the window came the voice of Mrs
| Dunnng.
Indeed you must stop minute. Miss Socum.
| You'll be all done out time you get back home
| again.
mo, thank e all the same. I'll try one more
| place. and then I'll get back home again."
| 1t Is too bad you can't find ANYBODY What
is the particular rush just now? Surely haying
has not commenced with you:"
No; not that exactly. but I've sight on hand
Just now: got to do down some pie plant, and
| then them ere gOOseberries are abOut rine
enough to can. and in about q couple o. weeks
the cherries II be on hand, and poster the hired
help anyway. I'd sooner grub long any how
than bother with any o them if 'twant for this
plaguev rheumatis 1t kinder catches me wonst
| in while and no use to talk it takes the spunk
clean out Of me- heard as how they had some
sort of lie down to the post Office that was pow
erfu good for SIGH cases. an guess must git
me quarters worth. just to try it. Feel sort
of 'fraid to. too
Girls. sit still. and will be back in a trce."
and off flew Rose, STUNNING past stately Helen
Parker. who still sat on the piazza scratching
away with her pen. an oval stand before her.
| hat are you up to now, Rose StOneleigh?"
Cant stop to tell any fbs just now" said
Rose, as she flew up the broad stairway and
into her ROOM Presently she emerged an alto
gether different looking person. In place of
white apron. and plain linen collar,
her hair all smOOthed down to get the
contrary crnkles out perfectly natural,
you know. Down she went, stole back
| and seized Mrs. Dunning's blue bingham sun
bonnet. and darting out to the wondering
girls. had just time to signal them to come to
the front, when Miss Patty emerged from the
other side and was just abous to ascend the
ing after her. saying: II hope you'll succeed in
your efforts. Miss SOcum- If wasn't so busy
myself I'd let Selena come up a day or two and
help you out, but you see we have the semi
nary girls-at least six Of them-and it keeps
one kinder busy. Why what on EARTH" Here
the good old lady had to stop In sheer amaze
ment. for she recognized her own sunbonnet
coming towards her with little body under
Meath.
Rose did not stop for ANYTHING. but sailed up
to Miss Patty, made demure little bow and
| commenced ''Please. a'am i overheard part
OF your conversation, and / thought I'd offer
myself if You think l could strip pieplant. or
| help you i'm any way" and she dropped her
white lids as though she was frightened at her
| own temerity.
You don't look as you could do much. How
much did you expect to get week, and where
| did you come from?" queried business-like Miss
/ Patty.
II came from over yonder some miles. and
| have sick aunt, and want to earn some money
! Please try me, and if 1 don't suit, need not
| stay
well. SEEM as how You came in the nick of
| time, and look kinder clipper like. I'll take
| you along. Have you any recommends alOng?"
''N-o. have not but Mrs. Cunning here
knows me- she did not expect to see me to-day
hunting place." and the smiling eyes were
turned upon the landlords wife. and, hid by
the sunbonnet, she made a grimace at the puZ-
Zled face that was slowly taking in the fun
''Oh. yes" explained the good old lady, 81 do
know her. but doubt her capabilities regard
ing housekeeping But I'd try her, If l were
you. You might do worse
Can you come right along? I'd a heap
out now"
.'oh, yes; certainly can. Mrs. Dunning, 1
LETT my bundle, bingham and few other
things inside. Will you have them sent? One
reason came was that Cora, over there. used TO
4