The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-01-13
Select STORY,
A PERFECT TREASURE.

"a middle aged lady would like to be-
come housekeeper in a small family during
the winter months. No wages required;
best of references given"
This singular advertisement met my eyes
one morning while | sat alone at the break
fast table reading the Daily Item.
Two of the children were sick, an IN
efficient servant added to our trouble, my
wife's health had nearly given way under
her housekeeping cares, and everything
seemed to me on that special morning 60
ing to the dogs.
Nv situation was a good one, and my
salary fair, but then the doctors bills were
unusually large, and our cook wasteful,
because Mary-that's my wife-could not
attend to her kitchen and take care Of the
sick children at the same time.
Mary, allow me to say here, Is one OF
the sweetest of sweet women; not only in
face. expression and manners, but in taste,
in dress. and all the little etceterdS that
make mans home the best placethis side
of heaven. She thoroughly enjoyed every
thing that did-art, music, literature; and
during the first two years of our married
life we were literally in paradise. | gave
not one regretful thought to my old COM
panionships, although [ had numbered
among my friends some of the very best
fellows in town and had been very fond of
society.
Then the little ones came, and they were
welcome; but the trouble in the shape of
accidents, illness, constant and petty cares,
came with them.
Jack, our eldest, was now seven; Tom,
five, Alice, our fairy girl, three, and the
little crib in the room up stairs held a rosy
beauty who did nothing but sleep.
Tom and Jack, however, were healthy,
energetic and consequently troublesome
Mary managed them with firm hand un-
til scarlet fever took up its pestilent abode
with us for nearly two months.
Mary grew thin and white with watch
ing and anxiety, for our two noble, hand
some boys are her idol; and since the fever
left them with many little ailment which
could only be removed with care and time,
the tcnder-hcarted woman had forgotten
almost everything but their welfare.
Hence the cook had her own sweet will
not only in the kitchen, but about the
house; and, to tell the truth, it was neither
comfortable nor pleasant for me.
Only the day before the doctor had said
that the boys would require constant at
tention all through the winter. What was
to be done, therefore, but submit to his
verdict? The consequence was that l ate
my meals deprived of the light of Mary's
countcnance-thatM Mary herself was grow
inc more and more hollow-eyed and looked
no longer like the neat, trim little lady, sc
anxious to be the all in all in husband
partial eyes.
''If only had sister or an aunt" she
,only said, ''you would not be so lionel ly; but
yoa married a woman without relations.
For which-though l did not tell hel
.so-I hope [ am reasonably thankful.
One morning-by and by, it was the
very morning l had read the advertise
ment-my wife came painting to the table
smiling cherub in her arms, and sat dowr
to her cold coffee, trying to smile. hac
marked the advertisement in the Item with
my pencil, and now laid it before her
She read it, and her face frightened.
"What do you think of seeing this wo
MANI" l asked. "She only seems to want
home during the hard times, and we are
able to afford that, | hope, If she car
oversee the house and "legislate'' the cook
and give you more time to attend to the
boys-your humble servant includes him
self" added, ''what a blessing she will be ?
II dislike to think of stranger coming
to the house" said Mary.
$50 do L; but remember, in little while
she will no longer be a stranger; besides, il
she is a capable woman, she will take en-
tire charge of the premises. OF course We
need not have her if we don't like her ap
pearance or her references"
After few more talks Mary concluded
to send for the woman, and, accordingly
dispatched letter as the advertisement re-
quired.
"Well, said my wife, on my return that
day, 'she came, she saw, she conquered"
Rather Cesarean, said I. II trust she
is not general in petticoats. Tell me al
about it," and 1 seated myself opposite the
cosy sitting-room fire, beginning to dread
the addition of third party.
'She came here about noon" said Mary
a peculiar, prim-looking woman, in plair
travelling dress. Her face and manner pre-
possessed me in her favor, and, according
to her own account, she certainly is very
capable person. Only think, that she cal
play the harp and the piano, and is very
we'll educated"
"Worse and worse" thought 1; anc
then said, aloud: "But what about refer
ences ?"
"Her principal reference is Judge Mel
son, and he lives in Ohio"
CAN right. l know his brother pretty
well; he is a practicing lawyer here. II
write to the judge and speak to the advo
cate and between them both we shall pro
badly get satisfactory certificate.
The funniest part of this veracious mar
rative is that l did neither but allowed tn
matter to drift away from my memory al
together
"Well, did you engage her?" / asked.
"On the whole, | thought had better
She can come here and stay while. and
if we suit each other of course she will re
main. In fact, we must have somebody
your comfort must be looked after As
is, she is at some expense, as boarding, o
course, uses up what little money she ma,