Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1883-03-28

- 'iS Noii pay iiiS viz Nts3Np "hAN'i
am sure earn, 1 will go down to the
Lake View House and help Mrs.
Danesbury make pies and puddings
for her boarders. She told me, long
ago, that she would give me ten dol
lars a month, during the busy season,
to assist her"
Doctor Juniper relished his roast
chicken and blueberry-pudding as only
an elderly gourmand can relish the ap-
pctzing edibles of this world.
Nanny sat opposite him, looking
rather dstraite and thoughtful. And
when he had sopped up the last of his
pudding-sauce with a piece of bread,
wiped his mouth, and folded up his
napkin, she spoke out:
Uncle, I'm going away tomorrow"
"Be you?" said Doctor Juniper.
"To earn my own living" said Nan
ny.
"IIumph" commented Doctor Juni-
per. "Well, suit yourself--suit your
sclf!'
"NIrs. Danesbury is going to pay me
ten dollars a month, Explained Nanny.
"But I'd rather stay with you at half
the price, if"
"1'll see you--further" said Doctor
Junirer. 81 won't pay you a red
cent"
"Very well, uncle" said Nanny.
And so she went away.
"She needn't think she's going to
wind me around her little finger" said
Doctor Juniper. II can get plenty of
housekeepers for less money that that.
And won't be imposed upon!'
The doctor got his own breakfast
the next morning. 1t wasn't so easy
as he had supposed it would be. The
fire smoked and sulked, the coffee-pot
tipped over, the fish was scorched, and
the eggs overlooked.
Hang it ally' said the doctor.
Things don't taste right anyhow.
There must be knack in cooking,
after ALL"
He left the unwashed dishes on the
table, saddled the roam horse, and set
off Immediately after he had swallowed
the last drop Of the llavorless coffee,
in search Of "help."
The Widow Keene was all smiles
when he stopped at her little red cot
tage.
80 Nanny has gone, has she?' said
the widow. "Wal there amt no de-
pendence to be put on gals. And you
feel the need of real helpful COM
panion? l did say, when l buried
Keene, that nothin' should induce me
to marry again, but
The doctor reined up Old Roam so
suddenly that that meditative steed
jumped off all four legs at once.
"Hold on" said he. Il wasn't
tallin' of matrimony. l amt
marryin' man. All / want is hired
help.'
"Do you mean to insult me?' said
Widow Keene.
And she slammed the door in his
face, and Doctor Juniper rode on, much
marveling at the narrow escape he had
had.
I'll try Miss Mahala Dickerman,"
he concluded. "She amt q widow.
Widows are naturally sly and tricky"
Miss Mahala Dickerman was more
reasonable. Yes, she would come.
But she required her Sundays to her
self, every Wednesday afternoon, the
use of horse and wagon to take her
to church, and fourteen dollars a
month.
But what is to become of me on
Sunday?" Doctor Juniper ventured to
inquire.
Miss Mahala didn't know. She had
her soul to look after-that was very
certain. And she couldn't reconcile
his Sunday business to her conscience.
So Doctor Juniper rode away once
more, solemnly shaking his head.
"Whats come to all the women ?"
said the doctor.
Betsey Grove was the next person
on whom he called--a sharp-nosed
gossip, with high, shrill voice, and
spectacled eyes.
81 think | kin suit ye, DOCTOR" said
Miss Grove "1've lived housekeeper
to several families. My terms is twelve
dollars month and the privileges of
a home, and young gal under me.
Her wages will be four dollars extra"
Doctor Juniper grew a tallowy
white.
"Do you s'pose I'm made of money!"
said he
"Them's my terms" said Miss
Grove, "and / wouldn't vary from
EN-, not for the president of the
United Statesn'
"There's an end of the matter, then"
said Doctor Juniper.
"Just as you please" said Betsey
Grove, tartly.
Louisa Henley would not undertake
the place unless her mother and eleven
years-old brother could come as COM
pany for her. Mrs. Cackle expected
the washing to be put out, and clean
ing woman engaged for every Satur-
day. Maria Michels limited at the