The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1882-10-12
EFFIE'S MANAGER.

her jauuty garden hat q twitch, and
folding her plump pink arms defantiy
''its no use to talk--I can't stay in the
house and be carved image Of dignity
all my days, and if your fastidious Mrs.
Hastings don't like it, she may-whis-
tle!'
you want to disgrace us ALL" said
her elder sister, Mildred, drawing her
black eyebrows together, digging in
that old garden like ridiculous tom
boy as you are, Just where all the neigh
bors can see! Mrs. Hastings says
Il don't care if she does" interrupts
ed Ellie, stufiing a package of seed iuto
her apron pocket. II always did want
chance to do something; and, what S
the use Of renting a suburban cottage
and paying good price for q piece of
ground with it if you daren't grow a
few onions or a bit of spinach for
amusemeDtP'
II doubt if you'll have the chance
long" sighed Mrs. Stretton, thin,
faded woman, with perpetually wor-
ried expression; the rent is TOO high; l
don't think we can stay
''Now, mOtherr'
Mildred jerkcd herself up from her
lounging position on the green damask-
covered sofa and kicked over a foOtstool
with gathering ill-temper.
''We must stay, at least until
"Until when?h weakly asked Mrs.
Stretton, who had nervous dread of
her dark-browcd daughters temper.
''Until Mrs. Hastings brother comes
home," admitted Mildred, vivid blush
staining her handsome face. 'She
promised to bring him to see us, but
she is so exclusive, it is positively ncces-
sary for us to keep up every appearance
of elegance. And here's Eflie doing her
best to upset it ALL If she only would
cultivate little dignity
81 would rather cultivate cabbages,"
averred Eflie, tipping her pert head on
one side to straighten her hat, which
had habit of sliding about in every
direction. Never mind, Millie; it will
give you Il better chance when the hero
puts in an appearance.
But the rent," nervously began
Mrs. Stretton.
Bother the rentr' retorted Mildred,
GROSSLY, settling back comfortably on
the sofa and paying no further attention
to her mother. But Ellie, trotting I'M
dignifedly down the garden walk with
pan OF seeds in one hand, 4 hoe in
the other, and her hat sliding over one
ear, paused Il moment thoughtfuIly.
'.POOr NANNY, she's always wor-
riedn' she sighed. Il ought to do
something to help her."
t'Your sister seems to enjoy outdoor
Il I>n M
Hastings, who had honored the STREET
tons with an afternoon call.
YES" smiled Mildred, waving her
fan with languid grace; ''she is such a
dear little romp-has such fancy for
amateur gardening, and
There was 4 sound of banging doors,
a frisky clatter of light heels in the hall,
and Eifie's fresh voice was heard, clear
and distinct:
NANNY! Mildred! where are youP
I've found a way to pay the rent. They
are starting a pickle manufactory in
that large building across the fields,
and they're going to buy all the onions
and gherkins in the neighborhood
A demented-looking young lady, in
an untidy white apron with one pocket
ripped off, cloud of light hair down
her back and newspaper in her hand,
bounced into the drawing-roOm. mover
doubling that the voices she heard there
were those of her mother and sister, but
perceiving the visitor, dropped her pa
per and stood staring in dismay, and
finally catching her sisters Disconnected
looks and furtive frowns. she bit her lip
and fed from the room with swift tears
of modification dimming her sunny
eyes.
''But I'll grow all can in the garden
and make some money all the same" "
was the reflection that cOnsoled her.
And thereafter Effie deyoured trea-
tises on vegetable culture. and dug,
spaded, and raked her bit of garden in
defatigably, and strange to say. in spite
of her ineXperience, her onions -four
ished and multiplied until the long beds
were crowded with the smooth, shining
roots. A freckled youth dwelling hard
by was the delegate at whose hands the
pickle-making establishment daily re-
ceiyed baskets heaped with the results
of the young lady's toll, while the fair
gardener herself made weekly trips to
the manufactory for collecting purposes.
The Autumn days had come and
were fast departing, and one evening
Effie came home with q glow in heI
cheeks and eyes.
'I-I've had an offer" she confessed,
''from the manager of the pickle fac.
tory"
'.For Heaven S saker walled Mildred,
dropping Imply back in her chair, ''haS
it come to this? | knew something
dreadful would come of your low-breC
tastes-but this is too much"
''But, Mill" urged Etfie, ''he's good
and handsome, and
Don't tell me what he is! He is il
a horrid, vulgar business-that is suf
ficient''
LADY and gentleman for missus,'
announced the new servant-girl from
the girl. Il tole 'em you's in the set
tin'room, n they could come in."
"You needn't mind us, you know
and it was Mrs. Hastings who swept in
to the room. 1--WE brought my brother
| Dick"
"Why, Mr.. Hardy" fluttered Effie
| turning pinker than rosebud. "He'!
the manager of the pickle-factory, sh,
explained to her astonished mother ant
| sister.
''Certainlyr' said the young man
holding Ef1ie's hand tightly, ''for I
time. The real foreman met with al
accident, and being partner in th'
affair, and the company could not fine
anyone to fill his place, consented t,
accept it until he was able to do so
partly to keep it open for him, and part
| ly because | was tired of laziness ant
felt longing to be useful"
"Apd be gave all bis salary to th