The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1882-04-26

of that. Don't you knowl She has
been dead for three months"
Dead Ny Aunt Jocasta," cried
poor Essie, feeling as if all the world
were in a whirl around her,
"Then you are the niece in New
York." said the stranger. "rhey
wrote to you, but suppose the letter
never could have reached you. It
was paralytic stroke, she only lived
six hours, poor dearl And after she
was buried and the expenses paid
there was nothing left. My husband
moved into the house last month
we have three years lease from the
landlord" rather defantly added the
young woman, as if she wished old
Jocasta Hooper's niece fully to under
stand that she, Mrs. Morris Mills,
was no hsGfpef there.
"Yes; ! understand-zI ] know said
Essie, feebly. "But ! have come all
the way from New York, and / am
very tired. Might l stay here to-
night?"
"And welcome" said Mrs. Mills,
kindly. We've house full of board
ers coming tomorrow. Mr.. Mills is
acquainted with a doctor in Boston
who recommends all his ailing pa
tients here, for the pine groves and
the mountain air, you know; and
there are two young theologians from
the seminary who have engaged the
top room, and an old gentleman WHO
is wild about trout. So we're likely
TO be full enough by.and by. But
just tonight we've plenty of ROOM"
But while Mrs. Mills was chatting
on, aud the children were making
merry tumult over their toys, and
the birds were singing in the woods,
Essie's mind was busy with theever.
recurring question. "What am / to
do? What is going to become Of me2"
Aunt Jocasta had not been much Of
a help to her, but she was something
to cling to-and now she, too, was
gone.
81 might sell stencilplates," she
thought dreamily, to herself, "orturn
book agent, or look out for a place in
the woolen factories. ButI am not
so very strong and l am afraid 1
have not courage and enterprise
enough to make my living as a gen.
teel peddler. Oh, dear-oh, dearl I
don't see what | was put into this
world for"
And a quiet tear Or two trickled
down her cheek, and dropped noise.
lessly into the bowl Of hot water
wherewith she was assisting Mrs.
Mills to wash the supper dishes.
At sunset the young farmer him
self came home-a stalwart, hearty,
black bearded specimen of humanity.
"Well, Polly" he said, as he ac.
knowledge the introduction to Essie
Hooper with kindly nod, "I've en-
gagged tirst-class cook for you-a wo-
man that has had lots Of experience
in Newport hotels, and wants to come
up among the mountains for change
ofaiT but as for waitress and chant
bermaids there wasn't one would
consent TO leave the city limits,
though | offered 'em as high as two
dollars q week"
Mrs. Mills blooming countenanee
fell visibly.
"oh, Morris, what am to do2n she
cried. "The chamber-work l might
manage myself, but the waitingl-
And with twelve people coming to.
night"
AT this, Essie Hooper spoke up:
"Could lido i:?" said she, wistfully.
81 am in need of employment Of
some kind"
"You?" cried Mrs. Mills. "But
you are lady,"
"But why can't l be a waitress,
too?" said Essie. 81 must do some.
thing to earn my living"
"You are darlingl" said Mrs. Nor.
ris Mills, with a kiss. "And l do he.
lieve Providence has sent you straighs
here to help Inc out Of my dilemma.
Pu. 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 10 Herself, it was not
unpleasant. Miss Earle, the Boston