Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1882-09-14
EFFIE'E MANAGER.

-[Harpers Bazaar,
EFPIE8 MANAGER.
az won'tr' said Effie Stretton, giving
her jaunty garden hat a twitch, and
folding her plump pink arms defiantly;
''it's 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-
| tler'
You want to disgrace us ALL" said
her elder sister, Mildred, drawing her
| black eyebrows together, digging in
that old garden like a ridiculous TOM
boy as you are, just where all the neigh
bors can see! Mrs. Hastings says"
Il don't care if she does,'' interrupt-
ed Ellie, stutfing package of seed into
her apron pocket. Il always did want
a chance to do something; and, what's
the use OF renting suburban cottage
and paying good price for piece of
ground with it if you daren't grow a
few onions or a bit of spinach for
amusement?'
Il doubt if you'll have the chance
faded woman. with perpetually wor-
ried expressions; ''the rent is too high; I
don't think we can stay"
''Now, mother!''
Mildred jerked herself up from her
lounging position on the green damask-
covered sofa and kickedoyer q footstool
with gathering ill-temper. g.
1--WE must stay, at least until-''
Until when?'' 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. sShe
promised to bring him to see us, but
she is so exclusive, it is positively neces-
sary for us to keep up every appearance
OF elegance. And here's Effie doing her
best to upset it all. If she only would
cultivate little dignity
II would rather cultivate cabbages,"
averred Efie,, 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 better chance when the hero
puts in an appearance"
'But the rent" nervously began
Mrs Stretton.
''Bother the remit" retorted Mildred,
GROSSLY, settling back comfortably on
the sofa and paying no further attention
to her mother. But Effie, trotting un-
dignifedly down the garden walk with
pan of seeds in one hand, a hoe in
the other, and her hat sliding over one
ear, paused moment thoughtfully.
''Poor nanny, she's always wor-
riedr' she sighed. 81 ought to do
something to help her,"
'Your sister seems to enjoy outdoor
exercise" remarked the exclusive Mrs.
Hastings, who had honorcd the Street
tons with an afternoon call.
YES" smiled Mildred, waving her
fan with languid grace; s'she is such
dear little romp-has such fancy for
amateur gardening, and-''
There was sound of banging doors,
frisky clatter of light heels in the hall,
and Efie's fresh voice was heard, clear
and distinct:
NANNY! Mildred! where are you?
I've found way to pay the rent. They
are starting a pickle mandatory 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, a cloud of light hair down
her back and a newspaper in her hand,
bounced into the drawing-room. never
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 fled from the room with swift tears
of modification dimming her sunny
eyes.
"But IN grow all I can in the garden
and make some money all the same"
was the reflection that consoled her.
And thereafter Effie devoured 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-
ceived 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 a glow in her
cheeks and eyes.
'I-rve had an offer," she confessed,
':from the manager of the pickle fac
tory"
'For Heaven saker' walled Mildred,
dropping Imply back in her chair, 'shas
it come to this? l knew something
dreadful would come of your low-bred
tastes-but this is too much"
'.But, MIL" urged Effie, ''he's good,
and handsome, and"
''Don't tell me what he is! He is in |
. horrid, vulgar business-that is suf-
fcient."
LADY and gentleman for missus."
announced the new servant-girl from |
the girl. 81 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. "Fve brought my brother |
Dick"
'Why, Mr.. Hardy" fluttered Ellie. |
turning pinker than rosebud. Hes |
the manager of the pickle-factory," she !
explained to her astonished mother and
sister. -. =
'.Certainlyr' said the young man,
holding Effie's hand tightly, ..for q
time. The real foreman met with an |
accident, and being partner in the |
affair. and the COMPANY could not find !
anyone to fill his place, consented to !
accept it until he was able to do so, /,
partly to keep it open for him. and part |
1y because was tired Of laziness and |
felt q longing to be useful" i
'.And he gave all his salary to the |
poor mans family to support him until |
be could work again." broke in Mrs. |
Hastings.
ssBut would be q foreman all my |
life rather than miss one experience / |
have had" said Mr.. Hardy. 1.-THE |